They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity. (Acts 2:44-46)
I was reading Derek‘s post on Josh’s blog about the Consumptive Church and it got me interested and longing to find a house church group to meet with in my area.
We’ve currently gotten connected with a large church nearby and plan on staying connected to it, attending events, small groups, helping out, but I don’t know that I see that as ‘church.’ Large churches definitely have some resources and abilities that small churches do not. The only reason I switched churches early in high school from a small church to a large one was because I really liked the youth group, it was big, they played big games and did big events, and I liked that.
However, I don’t think that’s what I consider church. In the post Derek writes he talks about the context of the Acts 2 passage, that the believers numbers had jumped up 3000 in one day, and then this verse is an example of what followed. I see the opportunity to meet in homes with other believes and break bread is a beautiful example of what I see the church looking like today. That’s where real intimacy, openness and growth can occur.
The only question is how I go about finding a house church in my area that I could attend. I don’t even know if there is anything like that in my neighborhood and if so, where is it?
Here’s to the journey.
you should get in touch with derek. or my friend eric. or britt. they all run in house church circles and from what i understand they are pretty informed about the resources out there.
Good post to read, I think with god’s grace and blessings you will get the house Church in your area very soon. Or you may look Online to the below link for church information.
Web searches, web searches, web searches. Just do a Google search for “House Church network” and poke around. I don’t think any of them have bubbled up to the point of being definitive – but most house churches try to register with some kind of listing website.
You can also ask around. If you’re already connected in a Christian community, talk to friends about it – most likely, someone you know has another friend in a house church somewhere.
Finally, you can always start one. I think it’s preferable to be involved in one first, but it’s not a necessity. If you do decide to start one, or want to think about starting one, I think it’d be good to be in close contact with others who have done it in the past, read a LOT of books on the subject (I highly recommend Wolfgang Simson and Frank Viola), and find some like-minded Christians who are willing to try something different.
When my wife and I were looking around at churches after I left my church two years ago, we eventually just stumbled across a house church. But we had been mulling over the idea of starting one, and still are. I guess my point there is just to be willing to do whatever God calls you to and pursue the opportunities He lays out. But relationship is key, so pursuing it through existing relationships (whether searching for one or especially when starting one) is always a good bet.
Ariah, I love the pioneer spirit etc. and even find it nauseating to hear people want to go to a BIG church. But it is often the bigger church that is able to specialize to some degree to include outreach to the smaller groups of need. My recommendation is to do as you have stated be a part of supporting a larger movement but then have a small home group composed however you want (with the blessing of those you want to be under authority, covering, safety, and counsel.) Your impact on the larger group may be multiplied as people see the fruit of your labors. Furthermore you can benefit from the resources, wisdom and opportunities afforded by those gone before you. Continue to be thankful for the youth group you had opportunity to be supported by. Few house churches or even small churches have that or other support to offer.
“They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity. (Acts 2:44-46)” thanks for remembering this holy words on your article.