To Be A Fool…

I’ve been reading Larry Kreider & Floyd McClung’s new book, Starting a House Church. What a fascinating subject! I’ve been coming to realize that much of my view of church is based on “tradition” rather than the Bible.

First, my disclaimer: I’m not angry, rebellious, or upset at church. Yes, we’ve been abused before by a controlling pastor, and people don’t always live up to our expectations, but that’s life, right? It is people being people. The hardest part has been to deny the callings we feel God has placed upon our lives because there just isn’t room for more pastors or worship leaders in the churches we’ve attended… especially since we never attended seminary. But hey, that also is life, right? We still love God’s people, and churches.

But for a long time now, we feel God has been leading us to start something here in our town… even after we moved away from here. Then we are suddenly moved back. Why… why would we need another church in this area? Aren’t there enough? What is it supposed to look like? Will it be a cell church (which we strongly believe in and don’t have in our area), or a house church?

Larry and Floyd, if you read this, I hope you don’t mind if I talk about your book.

It is a fascinating model of a new wineskin. One that will meet the needs of the current young generation. You have to read the book to get the whole picture, but I can’t stop thinking about it, and I think it is quite exciting. Nowhere is it suggested that the current churches should stop, or that they aren’t needed anymore… but that a new wineskin is needed for the new generation, and that new house churches can network with the current church structures. I’m curious to see how the current churches accept this new model.

While it is a “new model” it is actually a very old model. We are talking about getting back to the Acts church. Meeting in homes or other informal settings. Being “real and authentic”, being spiritual parents to a relatively small group of people with the main goals of outreach and discipleship.

We’ve heard much about spiritual parenting in the past few years. Being spiritual parents… needing spiritual parents. I know that personally I have cried out for mentors. Those who have been there, done that, to walk beside me for a season and teach me how to do what they do. Mostly, to love and disciple me! And I’ve not gotten that. I’ve also wondered where the “real people” are at! That is what this generation is crying out for. And that is what the House church model is all about.

By the way, the authors strongly advise “networking.” Independence and/or pride that would keep a church from being connected to the rest of the body isn’t healthy.

If you are looking for a new way to “do” church… or if you are looking for a way to move forward with your calling to be a spiritual parent, and if you want to meet the new generation where they are at, consider the house church.

Anyway, no matter who you are, or what you are doing, it wouldn’t hurt you to learn about this new model so you can work with the house churches that spring up in your area.