Romans chapter 16:
3 Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, 4 who risked their own necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. 5 Likewise greet the church that is in their house.(NKJV)
Colossians chapter 4:
15Greet the brethren who are in Laodicea and also Nympha and the church that is in her house.(NASB)
From reading the two passages shown above, we find that in the early days of the church, home churches were not only sanctioned by God, but likely the norm. Brick and mortar buildings for the specific purpose of meeting together for worship and teaching were not always practical and affordable, so smaller groups would meet together in homes. We find this very thing going on today in China, and also in other parts of the world where the church is growing so well.
I find this manner of assembling ourselves together to be a wonderful blessing. Each Christian in attendance gets an opportunity to bring what he or she is led of the Lord to share. In 1 Corinthians 14 and verse 26, Paul says this:
How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.(NKJV)
From this passage, you can see that the early church assembly was likely a lot more interactive, with some folks wanting to share a hymn (psalm), or a doctrine, or tongue or interpretation or revelation. I have learned through our Thursday night Bible studies that folks often get a lot more blessing from interacting with other believers than they do from the typical Sunday sermon.
Of course order must be maintained, and this was one of the many problems that Paul was addressing when he wrote to the Corinthians. If chaos and confusion is allowed to get a foothold in the assembly, no one will be edified...
The traditional American church service, held as it most often is behind stained glass windows, can be quite intimidating for many new Christians--and for many "would be" Christians as well. These individuals feel as though they don't fit into such a template, and they often feel unaccepted by the rest of the congregation.
But here is the thing: The very humility they feel as they nervously sit in the plush sanctuary of a "Church Street Church" for the first time is exactly the humility that Christ would want us to have as we approach the Throne of God. That feeling of unworthiness, that downcast heart--that is the mindset that moves us toward salvation in the first place.
Many folks will try a new church once, or maybe twice... but they'll ultimately leave that final Sunday with a feeling of emptiness and rejection. Rejected by the church... by its people... and by association they feel rejected by God Himself.
In many cases we have turned the church assembly into just such a machine. We have become, to use the words of J. Vernon McGee "knife and fork clubs." Our congregations are filled with unsaved people, who are typically the first to unfairly judge newcomers. Love has been replaced with pride. We tolerate what we ought not, and we are often very intolerant of Truth. Our leaders are careful not to ruffle any feathers, lest the numbers (and collections) drop off. Men (and even women) go into the ministry for selfish gain, never having been called of God to pastor and teach...
But where, then, can a true seeker go? Can there be a friendly haven where he or she can find true Christian love and fellowship? A place where the Word of God is trusted, followed and believed? A place where they won't be taught by Laodiceans and false converts that the Bible is full of mistakes? Is there somewhere these can go to learn what Christianity truly is, and also (and of equal importance) what it truly isn't?
Many of you reading this may be members of good churches, where the Bible is held in high esteem and the Word is being taught with such fervor that the false converts sitting in the congregation scatter like startled mice--or else get saved. That is what preaching should do. As the minister conveys the Word, it divides bone from marrow--sharper than any two-edged sword (see Hebrews 4:12)...
Still others of you may have that bothersome feeling that you are missing something in your worship, and in your assembly. Perhaps you have invited people you have witnessed to to your church, and they have come a time or two then they've fallen away. They say they just don't feel right... they can't put their finger on it...
Or perhaps you would like to see friends or even family members begin regularly attending church, but you can't think of a church within 50 miles that would seem to fit their needs...
Perhaps you should prayerfully consider whether God might be calling you to begin a home church. This does not mean you have to leave your current church--and you don't even have to hold your meetings on Sundays (though that would be preferred, if possible, since more people are available to come on Sundays due to work, school, etc.). If you don't feel qualified to lead the meetings, you could ask around for someone who may be willing to do it for you. Begin with as few as three or four people... then start getting the word out. :)
Serve a light refreshment (cookies, cinnamon rolls, donuts...), and coffee and hot chocolate and iced tea...
The leader of the assembly should keep in mind the spiritual maturity of each individual attending, and make sure that they get useful and edifying teaching from the Bible. You don't want to bore the advanced Christians, nor do you want to go over the heads of new Christians and seekers. Fortunately, God's Word is so incredible that you can choose a simple passage of scripture, read through it together, then discuss it as a group and everyone will be blessed. When the Holy Spirit is allowed to lead the meeting, it will always be good.
Be sure to include prayer requests and praises in every meeting, and have a question and answer segment near the end, so that folks can get clarification on things they're unsure about. Remember that iron will sharpen iron, and even if you're the leader of such a group you will learn from even the most novice of Christians in attendance--so keep your mind ready to learn, and ready for a blessing. :)
I believe that you will find that many new and would be Christians will feel more comfortable coming to your home (since you're inviting them) than they will to a traditional church. Let them know that your home church meeting is geared toward reaching out to new believers, and to those who are seeking God. God's word says in Jeremiah 29:13
And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.(NKJV)
So could it be that someone will seek and find God through having been invited to a church meeting in your home? Remember that God does work in mysterious ways... :)
Dan
