What if Christians met in each others homes instead of a big expensive building?

[notuptome]

if it's nice out, why not a park or a beach?

Been to more than a few tent meetings. Sometimes in very hot and humid weather. Good preaching is worth the discomfort of less than luxurious accommodations. Our brothers and sisters in some third world countries meet outdoors in far worse conditions and do so joyfully to assemble to hear Gods word preached and taught by preachers who love Jesus.

Be glad and give thanks to God if you have a good doctrinally solid church to attend. What comes for the pulpit is far more important that the surroundings of church. Those who love the Lord will worship with others of like precious faith no matter the surroundings. Some even at great peril for their very lives.

For the cause of Christ
Roger

 

[calibob]

having a study or a baptism out at a beach or a park is fun and it's a great way to witness at the same time. so why not a service too. you'd have to keep it small of corse or the dept. of parks and rec. will butt in, other than that, go for it! Just don't wear robes and funny hats and look like wierdos.

 

[notuptome]

having a study or a baptism out at a beach or a park is fun and it's a great way to witness at the same time. so why not a service too. you'd have to keep it small of corse or the dept. of parks and rec. will butt in, other than that, go for it! Just don't wear robes and funny hats and look like wierdos.

Is that what church means to you? Fun?

Consider that there are people meeting in thatched huts having walked for hours to come to a place where someone is preaching Gods word.

For the cause of Christ
Roger

 

[calibob]

aren't we allowed to enjoy sharing the word of the Lord, are we supposed to be stoic? Can we sing or clap our hands at least, maybe something younger than grama?

 

[Ralph-]

Is that what church means to you? Fun?

Consider that there are people meeting in thatched huts having walked for hours to come to a place where someone is preaching Gods word.

For the cause of Christ
Roger

17 "For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking (religious liturgy), but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, 18because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and receives human approval."-Romans 14:17-18

95% of Christians do not have this revelation. This is what life in Christ is all about--righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, not 'religious' activities. This is what please God. If you (anybody) miss this......you've missed it.

 

[Dino246]

... A true Christian will give at least 10% of his income to the Church, that's what the Bible tells us to do. If you don't do it, then you're not a true Christian.

You are incorrect in this, and I can demonstrate it from Scripture. However, I will not discuss the matter in this thread.

The pastor deserves the same living standards as every other hard working person

The only thing that any of us deserves is death for our sin. Pastors are to trust God for their income. God inspires congregants to support the ministry, from which the pastor draws his income. The moment "deserve" becomes a consideration, the pastor demands a nice paycheque regardless of the size of the congregation. That's bollocks.

 

[Dino246]

if it's nice out, why not a park or a beach?

That's a great idea. You haven't lived in the Canadian prairies, have you?

 

[notuptome]

aren't we allowed to enjoy sharing the word of the Lord, are we supposed to be stoic? Can we sing or clap our hands at least, maybe something younger than grama?

We ought to be reverent. We are supposed to be in the presence of our God and Savior. Moses fell on his face in the presence of God in reverence. Saul was knocked down by the presence of God on the road to Emmaus.

Holiness is not rock and roll.

For the cause of Christ
Roger

 

[Dino246]

The Bible has a lot to say about tithing, it is a vital part of the Christian life. A Church cannot survive without it, so I would disagree with you that true Christians don't need to tithe. Christ taught us to give generously to God, if we are not generous towards God then He won't bless our finances so it's like an insurance policy for our financial health.
I agree there aren't many true Christians around, there are too many claiming to be Christians but they are enslaved by the love of money and that's another good reason to tithe.

Your lack of understanding regarding new Covenant handling of money is quite apparent.

 

[eternally-gratefull]

Thats the other problem,

Church has become a building you preach in, not a place the body meets to enjoy and fellowship with each other as the NT church did.

To many preachers not enough teachers

To many traditions, not enough just hanging out,

Back in the nt they broke bread (ate together)prayed together (corporate prayer) listened and learned the apostles teaching, and and fellowshipped (hung out) together

The traditional church, you go in, say high to people you have not seen since last sunday and really do not know, a pastor or song leader prayers, we sing a hymn, then announcements, then mor singing, then orayer, then if your lucky you get a real good teaching, if not, your preached to for 20 minutes, more taditional singing, maybe an alter call, and offering demanding tithes, more prayer, and singing, then you shake hands, be nice and tell same people you will see them next week.

Thats not church, that is a play people act out once a week for 52 weeks, then wonder why there is never any growth,

 

[calibob]

That's a great idea. You haven't lived in the Canadian prairies, have you?

no i haven't, but i said if it. nice out and meeting in the snow wouldn't feel nice for long,,,,,,,,,,,,

 

[tourist]

aren't we allowed to enjoy sharing the word of the Lord, are we supposed to be stoic? Can we sing or clap our hands at least, maybe something younger than grama?

Yeah, give me some of that old-time religion. I attended a church once because of the coffee and donut fellowship afterward. If there is no joy in your heart while you are in church then maybe something is wrong. I'm grooving on your vibes here.

"If you're happy and you know it clap your hands...".

 

[eternally-gratefull]

having a study or a baptism out at a beach or a park is fun and it's a great way to witness at the same time. so why not a service too. you'd have to keep it small of corse or the dept. of parks and rec. will butt in, other than that, go for it! Just don't wear robes and funny hats and look like wierdos.

Our baptisms are not an end of service occurance, they are parties seperate from church, we have a big party, people give testimonies of what god has done for them and why they came to christ, then they get baptised. Usually by their discipler, but whoever they ask, it is a time of joy and celebration, and there has been many come to christ just by witnessing these events,

 

[calibob]

a group i used to fellowship with rented a school auditorium, we knew where our cash, food and clothing donation went, no mortgage.

 

[calibob]

We ought to be reverent. We are supposed to be in the presence of our God and Savior. Moses fell on his face in the presence of God in reverence. Saul was knocked down by the presence of God on the road to Emmaus.

Holiness is not rock and roll.

For the cause of Christ
Roger

i suppose you never sang out loud, or shook a tamborine in church either.

 

[SpoonJuly]

There would be no offering plate passed around to pay for the mortgage on a big building.
instead, the offering plate would be passed around to feed the hungry, heal the sick, clothe the naked, etc

There would be no need to preach a certain way to pack the seats to get more money
instead, the truth would be preached as it is and the resulting congregation would be much smaller but much more sincere in the faith.

There would be no salaries of Church staff to pay.
instead, the pastors and teachers would all have jobs, and their pay for ministry would be the same as every Christians pay for ministry: riches in heaven.

Since the meeting space is smaller and the message isn't watered down to fill the seats, the ideal group size would be about 12 people (or whatever space allows for). Upon growing bigger then this, the congregation would then split off into two groups and another Christian would open up there home as a meeting space.

Since the congregation is smaller we get to know each other better and begin to resemble more of a "community of believers". We would probably meet twice a week in the smaller groups, and then once a month all of us would meet in a large open space like a field or a park or a gymnasium somewhere.

Since the groups are smaller, we would be able to discern each others spiritual gifts and talents and put them to use in the ministry of the gospel.

We could pray, read the bible, sing songs, take communion!

yeah buddy! sounds great doesn't it????

There are probably more churches meeting in homes that you might think.
Nothing wrong with it. I think it is great.
But why limit the growth?
If a church is doing as Jesus commanded, going out into the community and making disciples, they would soon out grow a home. What are you going to do if 25 show up at the assembly?
Sad but true, some cities will not allow home churches.
What is wrong with renting a room or building where 120 can gather as the church at Jerusalem did.

 

[calibob]

sounds more like a convent than a place to praise the Lord notuptome

 

[calibob]

when people see us happy involved and motivated they'll notice some will even check to see why were so happy and want some too

 

[selfdissolving]

There are probably more churches meeting in homes that you might think.
Nothing wrong with it. I think it is great.
But why limit the growth?
If a church is doing as Jesus commanded, going out into the community and making disciples, they would soon out grow a home. What are you going to do if 25 show up at the assembly?
Sad but true, some cities will not allow home churches.
What is wrong with renting a room or building where 120 can gather as the church at Jerusalem did.

growth isn't limited at all, rather encouraged. ideally 25 people would be split into two groups that met twice a week in the home,and the whole congregation would meet once a month in a large outdoor area or meeting place.

the idea is NOT to have a big building EVER. eventually moving in to one would defeat the idea.
the idea is to worship and serve the Lord and each other without the pressures of paying staff salaries, mortgages and utilities of a big building.

this is what the Church at Jerusalem did. they met in each others homes in smaller groups, and then in the temple court as an entire congregation periodically.

 

[Ralph-]

when people see us happy involved and motivated they'll notice some will even check to see why were so happy and want some too

That's called 'witness'.

When the Holy Spirit overflows from us (not just sits deep down inside of us somewhere by faith) we become witnesses for God. That's what the Spirit-filled life is all about. Our lives testify to the glory of God.