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

But what if the growth is faster than the developing? Developing leadership, one who can teach and lead others is a long process. You are asking for trouble when you put an unqualified person in the position of teaching others.
You can not just choose who you want. The person developed must be qualified and have a desire.

Agreed, which is why the initial leader(s) should be well-prepared. Paul wrote about this... "the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others. " - 2 Tim 2:2.

Developing a leader need not take long; it is a gift of God. If the growth is from Him, He will supply the gifting as well.

Well, the Apostles set under Jesus teaching for over 3 years.
How long was Paul at Antioch before He was sent out?
As for as how long, depends not only on the student but who is teaching him.
Some seem to think it is a simple and quick process and it is not.

Agreed, some don't consider what it takes to develop a leader into an effective expresser of the gifts within.

A question for you----
Who should make the decision to separate a group, start a new group, and choose the new leader?
There is a lot to consider when we do the Lord's work.

I'd say that group got the order backwards. Identify and develop the leader, have that person co-lead within the established group, then ask for a part of that group to consider being part of the new group. All founded and bathed in prayer, of course.

I agree. Now another question---
What if the group grew to 20, 30 or 40 before a new leader is ready?
Very difficult to continue in a home with that number.
What would you do?

I'D HAVE TO THINK LONG AND HARD before I snapped to a decision regarding church politics. I've seen too many times when a leader that appears to be charaismatic is just a guy on an ego trip. They have killed many. So with a lot of prayers get together, maybe with some elders and come to a meeting before rather than going on emotions alone. When picking a leader for church

The Bible tells us that we were all God haters before God saved us, and there is no good in us apart from what God gives us. So we can never desire to humbly serve Him in the best way we can. God loves Himself through us, if the Son is reflected from us.
All we bought to the table was pure corruption and wickedness, so we have nothing to offer but a filthy sinful soul. God is no respecter of persons, He doesn't love anything about us. He only loves His Son and our best works are as filthy rags in His sight.

No it doesn't.

We all know the difference between good and evil (Gen 3:22).

Yes we can.

Where is that in the Bible?

We all know the difference between good and evil (Gen 3:22).

That is true. That's why salvation is available to anyone.

That's a lie.

1 John 3:
1) Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.

John 3:
16) For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Gal 2:
20) I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Eph 5:
25) Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

I don't know where you're getting your theology, but you need to read your Bible.

No man is good enough to work his way into heaven.

But any man can choose to believe the gospel, and become saved.

You are wrong, the Bible does teach that "TRUE" Christians tithe. You can't shred God's commandments without damning your sole.

Below are 20 Bible verses showing that tithing is Biblical and God demands it. You ignore Him at your own peril.

https://echurch.com/20-bible-verses-about-tithing/

I disagree with you in every respect. You failed to give God the glory for anything above, because you want to dethrone God and take His place. That was the sin that Satan committed and he was thrown out of heaven.

All of the above are the work of God, man played no part except to bring a corrupt and wicked soul to the table. God has to do everything for that person, the Bible tells us that we are born dead in trespasses and sin. How can a dead person save himself, unless God quickness him to life and gives him the gift to believe

I know.

Not true.

Yes, Satan committed that sin.

Previously addressed.

G'nite, Danny.

In response to this original thread....it sounds like the first church as depicted in acts 2 and 4

The entire paradigm of tithing has been flipped on it's head over the last 3,000 years or so. The Levites, Scribes, elders, keepers of the temple. They accounted for a large segment of hebrew population, about 10% plus they kept the store houses of grain, wine etc. as the Torra directed. The tithe went directly to support the temple staff. Overages went to storage. [they tithed with wool, grain, seeds, wine, crafts etc.] 10% per tribe x 10 tribes = average, fair support to the workers of God.

Start a new thread, and we'll discuss the matter.

By the way, the word is "soul".

Divide the group and have the established leader lead both until new leaders are ready.

I would not divide just for the sake of dividing.
I think to much is made of the size of a local church.
I see nothing wrong with a church growing to 40, 60, 120 as long as there is fellowship and the church is doing a Christ commanded and the people are being blessed.
There is strength in numbers.
Also, to ask one leader to care for and lead two different groups may be asking to much.

I was once a member of a house group (was not replacing church...just a bonus feature) that I REALLY liked. we would meet in different houses of people who went once a week. we would pray for each other, listen to each other, try to help each other if someone really was looking for advice...there was an atmosphere of real Christian love and support in that group

then...the brother of the man who had started this group came along and established himself as the leader instead because he had a piece of paper to wave.

he decided a proper church was in order ... I mean come on! that was such an opportunity for him...I mean for God

anyway, he took over because the brother was 'just' a counsellor and he, after all, had already proven his pastor credentials somewhere else (that's always a red flag IMO) and so a church began. I could say alot about that.

eventually myself and a few others stopped going where we had been going because you cannot split yourself in half on a Sunday morning. we met in his house.

Reader's Digest version: he never ever one single time that I can recall gave one single message or study. he promised more than once to do so, but it was a non event. his wife seemed to be a big determining factor in his decisions

big history...blah blah yada yada etc...and not ONE single original member of the group is still there last I heard

I moved far away. they moved from the house to an old movie building they bought or rented not sure which

if anyone reads this and it seems familiar, you can get riled up all over again even though I never said a word to you or really anyone else...I moved after all

but a genuine 'ministry' as an aside to church involvement had been started and was just grabbed by someone who ruined it

prob happens all the time

The early Church would disagree with you! Acts 2v40-47.