Doh!

So I know some of you (probably many of you) don’t understand where we are coming from right now.  I realize that it is out of the comfort zone. Others of you have been right where we are at in the past, or are even going through the same thing right now.

But I just had a realization. A “doh!” moment (a Homer Simpson moment, only without donuts, which is unfortunate because I’m getting hungry).

A year or so ago my husband had a dream/vision/whatchamacalit about people who have fallen through the cracks of the IC. He really felt we were going to be ministering to people in this situation… a type of “underground church” if you will.  We have no idea if that means one-on-one, or something more structured (ie. house church, etc)

Well, DUH… suddenly it only makes sense that we are going through this season of our own. Not that it makes it easier or less painful, but it does make it a bit less confusing.  And I’m getting more comfortable with the “waiting” period while I wait to see what God wants to do.

Strangely enough, I’m considering attending a church planting conference at the end of the month, but I’m not sure I have the energy to drive 5 hours and sit through an entire weekend of speakers.  Ok, I KNOW I don’t… but I might try anyway, although most likely it will have to wait for next time.   Why would I do this? I’m glad you asked (haha). One of the speakers is a guy named Tony Fitzgerald who spoke at a leadership conference we attended last May (or April, or sometime in the spring, my mind is going). I blogged about it here. He is a person who believes in Simple Church (aka, house church) and is interviewed on a short video clip I had here awhile ago. He was really an amazing speaker, and I would love the chance to hear him again. Another speaker is Larry Kreider, who is the author (along with Floyd McLung) of a book about starting house churches that I read awhile back.

One place I never want to get to, is the place where I stop learning and growing…

Video about House Church (aka simple church)

I posted a few days ago about House Church, talking about Larry Kreider & Floyd McClung’s new book, Starting a House Church. Here is a video talking more about house churches, or ‘simple churches’ that I found interesting. I’m not going to give my thoughts about it right now, just kind of “throwing it out here” for you to watch.

This is linked to YouTube

House Churches; a new way to do church?

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.