Home Church Movement and God
Are you a tad curious about the home church movement? Worshipping in spirit and truth and without hindrances is an exciting prospect. If you’ve ever worshipped God in a dead-as-a-doorknob church, you know how frustrating that is.
But what’s a house church like? How is it different and/or similar to your previous worship experience?
I’ve been worshipping at home for years. And, of course, it’s easier because I only need to get along with me! However, I’ve grown the most while seated in my living room or wherever I happen to set up a sanctuary to God. God purposely called me out of a traditional worship setting so I could grow in Christ. Otherwise, my spiritual house would stagnate.
I’m convinced that God not only singles out individuals to come closer to Him at home but to get on board with the home church movement in order to go deeper spiritually.
Home Church Movement: Its Beginnings
House churches in early Christianity were a “thing.” Many people met in homes because the Roman Empire persecuted Christians. They needed a safe place to meet.
Acts 1:12-14
Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day’s walk from the city. When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers (NIV).
Acts 2:46-47
Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved (NIV).
I Corinthians 16:19
The churches in the province of Asia send you greetings. Aquila and Priscilla greet you warmly in the Lord, and so does the church that meets at their house (NIV).
Colossians 4:15
Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house.
Home Church Movement: How Today’s Home Churches Work
Some people are surprised when they realize Jesus isn’t coming back for a church building. It’s the people inside that make up the church body, the members of God’s house. In a Christian home church, Jesus is the Head and everything flows from Him through the Holy Spirit (this should be true for a traditional church too).
Christian home churches have guidelines in Acts 2:42-47 to follow.
- Teaching each other: No two people are on the same level spiritually. Our multi-faceted God builds our faith on different paths. Because all Christians are intricately and wonderfully made, our interpretation of scripture can vary. When we read and study the Bible together, we can learn more about God and grow in faith exponentially.
- Communion: Jesus encouraged His disciples to take communion often to remember His sacrifice and to continue to align themselves with Him as Lord and Savior. The Holy Communion isn’t a ritual of eating crackers and drinking grape juice. It’s communing with God. We worship God during communion when we thank Him for giving His Son in our place so we can be whole in body, mind, and spirit.
- Signs and wonders: A church that honors God before man taps into His miracle-working power. When a person is free to worship God and invites the Holy Spirit into their presence, He works through believers. People receive healing, answers to prayers, and direction for their lives.
- A commonality in Spirit: Christians are one in spirit because they belong to the one true God. For that reason, we stand on holy ground unified by the Holy Spirit. Serving God together is how we roll.
Here are 4 more characteristics of what to expect in a home church.
- Providing for the needs of others: Members of a home church can collectively go about helping each other and people in their community or the world.
- Eating together: There’s nothing like sharing a meal to bring people together. We all like to eat! And, in doing so we can become more intimate and build close Christian relationships.
- Praising and worshipping God: As Christians gather, they want to spend time in God’s presence. People can sing and read Psalms and songs, lift their hands in adoration to God, and share with others the ways He fellowships with them.
- Offering salvation to the unsaved: Reaching the lost is a command Jesus gave to all disciples (past, present, and future). Spreading the Gospel message throughout the earth is the church’s main responsibility.
Home Church Movement: Is a House Church Right for You?
Home churches are small intimate gatherings of like-minded individuals who share similar faith beliefs. Spiritual leadership is normally shared among several people and those people encourage attendees to develop their spiritual gifts. If they don’t, they aren’t following the Biblical model.
Romans 12:4-8
For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
Sometimes people consider a home church because they feel left out when attending a large church. Others may disagree with church policy and doctrine while many simply want to worship God and sidestep religious activities. One thing’s for sure, no church whether traditional or a house church should deviate from scripture.
Home churches are usually more flexible in scheduling when some members can only meet on a weekday. Another positive aspect of the home church movement is that everyone has a say in how to use tithes and offerings. Is money better spent feeding the poor, evangelism, missions, or assisting needy individuals?
Attending a home church just becomes it’s less formal doesn’t mean people aren’t committed followers of Jesus. Reverence toward God doesn’t depend on a church that looks holy but is far from God. The attitude of the heart is what determines respect for the Creator. A home church may be just the place to feel like you’re part of the family of God.