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I want to ask a question, "What if there was a way of doing church that made community more accessible, facilitated discipleship, and inspired organic growth?"
If there was a way to do all of these things, why would anyone oppose something that helped people to follow Jesus in their everyday life, set them free to discover and practice their spiritual gifting in the context of worship, and helped encourage lifestyle of evangelism and personal mission?"
As someone who has been a licensed and ordained pastor for over 18 years now, in denominational, independent and charismatic expressions of church, I've witnessed first-hand the angst and frustration at the pastoral level in the traditional church. "Why can't we get people to give more? Why don't people feel connected here? Why don't these people take the words of Jesus seriously? How can we get people to share their faith and increase community?"
Even as I've agonized over these thoughts myself, I've also heard other pastors lament in much the same way when comparing their church with the one we see in Acts. "Look at the incredible devotion these people had for one another," the pastors say. "Why don't our people give and share and love in the same way?"
After years of struggling to help put butts in the seats, inspire the frozen chosen to serve others and live out their faith in their daily life, I finally did something out of desperation- I tried the method outlined in the New Testament, and what do you know, it worked.
Another Way
Our house church has been thriving now for over 2 years and I can honestly say I've not once had to preach a sermon on tithing or giving, and yet our small gathering gave thousands of dollars to the help the poor in our community last year. In fact, we're on track to double last year's amount, and I've never had to beg or plead for our members to dig deep or give more. Why is this? What's the big difference?
The simple fact is that our people can tangibly connect every dollar and penny they give with how it directly assists people in need. We keep nothing for ourselves and give all of the money we receive away to the poor. When our members connect their dollars with actual people receiving assistance they are glad to give all that they can to help others.
I take no salary from the offering. We don't even use it to buy paper plates or coffee. All of the offering, every single penny of it, is spent on the poor in our community, and that inspires people to give hilariously.
The Gospel - To Go!
In our house church I've also seen people discover their personal mission and start to walk it out in their everyday life. One dear woman had always felt called to be a missionary to children overseas but that door never opened for her. Instead, she discovered that God had given her a mission field with her Fifth Grade class each week at a local elementary school where she teaches. We get to encourage her every week as she loves and serves these dear children God has given to her to bless.
Another woman has discovered that her art can speak to those outside the walls of the church and have a greater impact alongside works of art at local galleries. She's been liberated to take her art to the darkness and allow it to effect people who need hope and light. We get to support her art and encourage her as she encounters people in deep spiritual need who would never darken a church door.
Another man has realized a profound concern for the local homeless and has begun to spend his weekends befriending the homeless he encounters during his weekly job as a security guard. Our house church has helped him to purchase food and supplies to share with these new friends he's made. We get to encourage him and cheer him on as he struggles with how to love and help these people who are in desperate need.
Others in our house church have begun to identify their spiritual gifts and are being encouraged, many for the very first time, to utilize those gifts in the context of the weekly gathering, and to advance the Kingdom of God and make new disciples to Jesus, and live out the Gospel in their everyday life.
Not Perfection
One thing about community is that we quickly realize that none of us is perfect. As our masks fall down we see the beauty, and the serious flaws, inside each of us. We get to learn how to forgive one another, how to love one another unconditionally, and how to extend grace to each other as we grow in Christ.
We know the early church wasn't perfect either. The New Testament makes no attempt to cover up their infidelity, pride and in-fighting. Yet it also makes no attempt to correct these flaws by changing the methodology. Instead, the Apostles encouraged the early church to love more, forgive more, serve more and be a true Family of God.
No, the house church isn't perfect. We are not more perfect people because of house church, in fact, we're probably a lot more imperfect than most, but that's part of how the power of Christ is revealed in us, as we embrace our weakness and cling to the goodness of God. (See 2 Cor 12:9)
Something New?
Someone once said, "To experience something you've never experienced before you will have to do something you've never done before." The same logic applies to the modern church in America. If we hope to experience something we've never experienced before as a Body, we will have to entertain the possibility of doing something many of us have never done before.
The Question Again
So, if there were a way to take our traditional churches into a new place of life and hope and encourage real community and empower every person to live out their mission and utilize their gifts, why would anyone oppose this? Why would anyone be against putting these New Testament principles into practice? Are we so committed to our corporate-inspired, big business model of doing church that we cannot imagine any other way?
Why is This So Hard?
It's very curious to me how Jesus could inspire his disciples to start a certain kind of family-based system of worship and community and fellowship, which had never existed before, and how those disciples could promote and build and encourage a household of faith for over 300 years, only to have the entire thing thrown out in favor of a new model that effectively chokes community, stifles the spiritual gifts and encourages a retreat from the culture at large.
We could go into the history of how it happened, but I won't take the time for that now. I simply want to ask the question, "If we knew a way to fix what's wrong with the Church today and inspire community, family, mission, evangelism and discipleship, why wouldn't pastors be lining up to give it a try?" Why is it we'll try everything else under the sun except for this Jesus-inspired, Apostle-promoted, family-based, Biblical model outlined for us in the New Testament?
I know I'm a dreamer and an idealist, perhaps. But it seems to make sense to me that if we want what the early church had, we should at least be willing to attempt to do what they did in order to get it.
More LIght Than Heat
Even as I write this I know that the vast majority of Christians out there, and probably most of you who are reading this now, are part of a traditional church built upon some of these same principles I am calling into question.
Please know that I do not raise these questions to be divisive. My own parents attend a traditional church that they love and I have several friends who are currently pastoring traditional churches that are doing amazing things for the Kingdom of God.
My aim is not to tear down the good that God is doing within the traditional church, but at the same time I do have to ask these sorts of questions, because the answer to these sorts of questions are necessary to help all of us understand who we are in Christ and how the whole Body fits together in God's Kingdom.
For the Record
God is at work in every expression of His Church and no matter what form or model we employ Gods Kingdom is advanced, peoples lives are transformed and the Gospel is preached. I fully acknowledge and celebrate this fact.
However, my struggle lies in finding the best way to communicate the joy of what I've discovered as part of a house church, and affirming that God loves and is at work in the entire Body of Christ, worldwide.
Please extend to me a little grace on this issue, my friends. I know that whenever I talk about the freedom and the excitement I've experienced in the house church, there are some who can only hear it as an attack against those who are not part of the house church movement. This is not my intent and I'm honestly still learning how best to share what good I've seen over the last few years without insulting everyone else.
What I hope to do is to allow the testimony of God's wisdom to be released like the aroma of warm bread from the oven and tantalize each of us to imagine what being part of the Family of God could be like, if we try something many of us have never tried before.
"If there was a way to help facilitate discipleship and community and mission within the Body of Christ, and if that way were clearly outlined in the New Testament and if that same method was proven over a period of 300 years, why would anyone oppose this?"
Keith Giles is the author of the book, "Nobody Follows Jesus (So Why Should You?)". He also pastors a house church and writes a free, weekly e-newsletter called [Subversive Underground]. Find out more at keithgiles.com.
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Just found your blog, linked in from another blog. Let me start by saying I like Todd Hunter. I heard him for the first time at an Alpha Conference in Chicago a few years ago. Kind of like hearing G. E. Ladd's theology given hands and feet.
Your take on the church is interesting. As a "missional consultant in France, I see much of the same thing here, but also from my catbird seat in the bleachers, I see a lot of what is wrong in the US with the church as well. Suffice it to say it's the institution, not people. I would invite you to take a look at the I have posted on my blog about management in the church (sanscontexte.blogspot.com)
What I see as the largest pool of problems s the fault of modern management practice brought into the church (managerialsim), and a myopic focus on systems. "Change the system, change the people" seems to be the byword of the church. But we forget that the body of Christ is found in his people, the "Other," who have faces. Systems don't. We wrestle not with flesh and blood...
I like what you say about your house church. How many people? Thanks for the comment about those who see comments about house churches as attacks on those from the outside. I have a friend in Chicago who sometimes comes off as Elijah trying to find the bands of 50 that God has hidden away. There is a lot of good in the concept. I find your comments even-handed.
I often think that we need to de-invent the church and find another model for doing ministry in a community setting. Willow Creek and Saddleback aside, what we have now isn't working very well.
I look forward to see what you find in your search for the way to facilitate discipleship and community in the body of Christ.
I was going to say, it's possible that churches try to build themselves like pyramid schemes, where the titled or "important" christians are the ones being rewarded for their downline and the newbies or the ones that aren't in the political church circles feel like, if they could only give more, do more, or be like so and so, than they would have a downline. I'm glad to see that what you do seems to work and mutually benefit all. Let's be honest, most churches are businesses, the gospel is their product, pastor is their top salesman, and the people are customers. The building, music, and presentation is their credibility...and the trinity is a cross sell. It may be easier if the church would just give you a policy like my car insurance policy at the beginning of the year with a payment plan and if you don't make your payment in the months time, you can't come to church. Eliminate tithes and offerings. It looks like a business, smells like a business, people treat it like a business, stop calling yourself God's kingdom advancement, you are that stumbling block that gets in the way from people knowing what God really cares about. Sorry, rant over. Anyway, it is awesome that people can feel like what they are building into has purpose.
Hi Keith... I've been a faithful(ish) supporter of the church here in NZ for about 33 years and suddenly I find myself very sad and disheartened by the organisation I've given a huge chunk of my time to. It seems to me that we adopt every fad that is fashonable in USA and America and are losing our heart and soul (and perhaps even the presence of God) in the process.
All is not lost though... through the years I've met and and still do meet some wonderful people who are like sign posts to God and his truth, and as I get more involved in the "world" I seem more effective in sharing Jesus with people...I'm more realistic I think.
I dont know what to do about my church...these days I'd rather be spending quality time with my loved ones (including God!) or going mountain biking than spending the best part of my Sunday being bombarded with noise and hype in church.
Being an older chap (nearly 51) I'm more secure with myself than I would have once been and think my dissatisfaction is a healthy sign of honesty. However I do feel sorry for younger folk who may equate dissatisfaction with back sliding.
I think Love, an ongoing passion for God and compassionate honesty are important
I also like what 1 Chronicles says about understanding the times and knowing what Israel should do...Some of us are wired to ask questions!
Aha I meant USA and Australia in the above! ;-)
Do you think that every expression we call a Church is considered by God to be a Church? Does our calling it a Church make it a Church?
I kinda think the last question is silly.
Is the church a building - or a body of believers?
Where 2 or more are gathered - there He is In the Midst... Are we not all qualified to be the Bride of Christ - or does it require a large number of folks, a large ruleset - a group of common beliefs and creeds and a deacon board, a book of discipline, a ... (i could go on here... )
just my 2 cents...
{Do you think that every expression we call a Church is considered by God to be a Church? Does our calling it a Church make it a Church? }
It reminds me of a comic I saw once that had a guy praying and said something like this, "God, I have to go to church for a few hours and I'll talk to you when I get back...you do know what church is right?"
I think Bobbob asks a great question!
Let's look at the New Testament and see how God defines "Church".
You might be surprised at what you find, however.
-kg
This may sound hard and mean but I really believe that the majority of church attenders are not born again. Yes, they can say they are, spout the right doctrininal positions, attend church, go on mission trips but have never be touched by eterinty. Generational (decendents of believers) church people are just in the religion of their parents, nothing else. They may even be fervent in their beliefs, but never really been born again. I left the institutional ritual 4 years ago and have rediscovered that joy and freedom of following Christ without needing the approval of men. He says go, I go He say stop I stop. It makes sense to me, that if God is not a respector of persons then, why are there more American Christians, than say Syrian or Japanese? I believe the same percentage is worldwide and that the American church experience is fraudulent because it allow people to chose God and not God chose a person. No one choses God, but the churches are filled with those who think they have. Mike
Mike,
I am interested to know how someone who is fervent in their beliefs is not born again. Isn't that what salvation is founded upon? Beliefs? Living for Jesus is great, but without beliefs, you will never have eternal life.
I think I get what Mike is saying. Just "Believing" a set of ideas are true does not equate with the sort of "Belief" that Jesus was referring to when He asked us to Believe in Him.
Belief as Jesus describes it is closer to "Trust" and involves putting into practice.
So, show me what you're already doing with your life and that is what you really "Believe" (see the book of James).
Mere "Belief" or mental agreement to a set of statements does not "Save" anyone. Jesus was clear that it was even possible to work miracles in His Name and still not be "Born Again".
So, it's not about "Belief" and it's not about "Works" - It's simple, daily, obedience to Jesus and a life spent following Him out of sincere love and devotion to Him.
Jesus asked people to simply "Follow" and they did. That daily trust and practice of putting the words and teachings of Jesus into practice is what being "Born Again" is all about.
Of course, we will stumble often as we attempt to put the words of Jesus into practice and that's why He's promised us His Grace and filled us with His Holy Spirit - so that we can be empowered to walk in His footsteps daily.
We've all been "saved by Grace to do good works which were prepared in advance for us to do" - Ephesians 2
-kg
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(1)
Just found your blog, linked in from another blog. Let me start by saying I like Todd Hunter. I heard him for the first time at an Alpha Conference in Chicago a few years ago. Kind of like hearing G. E. Ladd's theology given hands and feet.
Your take on the church is interesting. As a "missional consultant in France, I see much of the same thing here, but also from my catbird seat in the bleachers, I see a lot of what is wrong in the US with the church as well. Suffice it to say it's the institution, not people. I would invite you to take a look at the I have posted on my blog about management in the church (sanscontexte.blogspot.com)
What I see as the largest pool of problems s the fault of modern management practice brought into the church (managerialsim), and a myopic focus on systems. "Change the system, change the people" seems to be the byword of the church. But we forget that the body of Christ is found in his people, the "Other," who have faces. Systems don't. We wrestle not with flesh and blood...
I like what you say about your house church. How many people? Thanks for the comment about those who see comments about house churches as attacks on those from the outside. I have a friend in Chicago who sometimes comes off as Elijah trying to find the bands of 50 that God has hidden away. There is a lot of good in the concept. I find your comments even-handed.
I often think that we need to de-invent the church and find another model for doing ministry in a community setting. Willow Creek and Saddleback aside, what we have now isn't working very well.
I look forward to see what you find in your search for the way to facilitate discipleship and community in the body of Christ.
Posted by theologien | Posted at 05/01/2008 2:53 AMI was going to say, it's possible that churches try to build themselves like pyramid schemes, where the titled or "important" christians are the ones being rewarded for their downline and the newbies or the ones that aren't in the political church circles feel like, if they could only give more, do more, or be like so and so, than they would have a downline. I'm glad to see that what you do seems to work and mutually benefit all. Let's be honest, most churches are businesses, the gospel is their product, pastor is their top salesman, and the people are customers. The building, music, and presentation is their credibility...and the trinity is a cross sell. It may be easier if the church would just give you a policy like my car insurance policy at the beginning of the year with a payment plan and if you don't make your payment in the months time, you can't come to church. Eliminate tithes and offerings. It looks like a business, smells like a business, people treat it like a business, stop calling yourself God's kingdom advancement, you are that stumbling block that gets in the way from people knowing what God really cares about. Sorry, rant over. Anyway, it is awesome that people can feel like what they are building into has purpose. Posted by Gregory | Posted at 05/01/2008 7:52 AM
Hi Keith... I've been a faithful(ish) supporter of the church here in NZ for about 33 years and suddenly I find myself very sad and disheartened by the organisation I've given a huge chunk of my time to. It seems to me that we adopt every fad that is fashonable in USA and America and are losing our heart and soul (and perhaps even the presence of God) in the process.
All is not lost though... through the years I've met and and still do meet some wonderful people who are like sign posts to God and his truth, and as I get more involved in the "world" I seem more effective in sharing Jesus with people...I'm more realistic I think.
I dont know what to do about my church...these days I'd rather be spending quality time with my loved ones (including God!) or going mountain biking than spending the best part of my Sunday being bombarded with noise and hype in church.
Being an older chap (nearly 51) I'm more secure with myself than I would have once been and think my dissatisfaction is a healthy sign of honesty. However I do feel sorry for younger folk who may equate dissatisfaction with back sliding.
I think Love, an ongoing passion for God and compassionate honesty are important
I also like what 1 Chronicles says about understanding the times and knowing what Israel should do...Some of us are wired to ask questions!
Posted by Rob W in Godzone | Posted at 05/01/2008 6:19 PMAha I meant USA and Australia in the above! ;-) Posted by Rob W in Godzone | Posted at 05/01/2008 6:20 PM
Do you think that every expression we call a Church is considered by God to be a Church? Does our calling it a Church make it a Church? Posted by bobbobnabob | Posted at 05/01/2008 7:45 PM
I kinda think the last question is silly.
Is the church a building - or a body of believers?
Where 2 or more are gathered - there He is In the Midst... Are we not all qualified to be the Bride of Christ - or does it require a large number of folks, a large ruleset - a group of common beliefs and creeds and a deacon board, a book of discipline, a ... (i could go on here... )
just my 2 cents...
Posted by Glenn Kelley | Posted at 05/01/2008 8:41 PM{Do you think that every expression we call a Church is considered by God to be a Church? Does our calling it a Church make it a Church? }
It reminds me of a comic I saw once that had a guy praying and said something like this, "God, I have to go to church for a few hours and I'll talk to you when I get back...you do know what church is right?"
Posted by Gregory | Posted at 05/02/2008 11:11 AMI think Bobbob asks a great question!
Let's look at the New Testament and see how God defines "Church".
You might be surprised at what you find, however.
-kg
Posted by Keith Giles | Posted at 05/02/2008 11:25 AMThis may sound hard and mean but I really believe that the majority of church attenders are not born again. Yes, they can say they are, spout the right doctrininal positions, attend church, go on mission trips but have never be touched by eterinty. Generational (decendents of believers) church people are just in the religion of their parents, nothing else. They may even be fervent in their beliefs, but never really been born again. I left the institutional ritual 4 years ago and have rediscovered that joy and freedom of following Christ without needing the approval of men. He says go, I go He say stop I stop. It makes sense to me, that if God is not a respector of persons then, why are there more American Christians, than say Syrian or Japanese? I believe the same percentage is worldwide and that the American church experience is fraudulent because it allow people to chose God and not God chose a person. No one choses God, but the churches are filled with those who think they have. Mike Posted by Mike | Posted at 05/08/2008 4:41 AM
Mike,
I am interested to know how someone who is fervent in their beliefs is not born again. Isn't that what salvation is founded upon? Beliefs? Living for Jesus is great, but without beliefs, you will never have eternal life.
Posted by Kyle B. | Posted at 05/15/2008 10:12 PMI think I get what Mike is saying. Just "Believing" a set of ideas are true does not equate with the sort of "Belief" that Jesus was referring to when He asked us to Believe in Him.
Belief as Jesus describes it is closer to "Trust" and involves putting into practice.
So, show me what you're already doing with your life and that is what you really "Believe" (see the book of James).
Mere "Belief" or mental agreement to a set of statements does not "Save" anyone. Jesus was clear that it was even possible to work miracles in His Name and still not be "Born Again".
So, it's not about "Belief" and it's not about "Works" - It's simple, daily, obedience to Jesus and a life spent following Him out of sincere love and devotion to Him.
Jesus asked people to simply "Follow" and they did. That daily trust and practice of putting the words and teachings of Jesus into practice is what being "Born Again" is all about.
Of course, we will stumble often as we attempt to put the words of Jesus into practice and that's why He's promised us His Grace and filled us with His Holy Spirit - so that we can be empowered to walk in His footsteps daily.
We've all been "saved by Grace to do good works which were prepared in advance for us to do" - Ephesians 2
-kg
Posted by Keith Giles | Posted at 05/16/2008 7:39 AM