Recently, we hosted a couple who was in our small group a few years ago at our old church. They were interested in coming to our church to see what it was like. They came over for lunch after church and we talked about many things, including the future of the Church. He said he's been reading stuff by a guy who has been predicting the future of the American church and he seems to think that the churches left standing are going to be house churches and mega-churches, not the community church, which dominates the current American church landscape.
I never thought I'd go to a house church. I had minimal exposure to them, except the one that a very good friend of mine attended while he was growing up. I have been to that church once and while everyone was nice, they are uber-conservative (i.e., head coverings, women do not speak in church, etc.) and it was hard for me to feel comfortable in that setting. Moving to Chicago, I visited community churches and settled on First Evangelical Free church on the north side. I had a pretty positive experience there and was able to find a good community (as well as a husband, but I promise that wasn't the reason I was there) and good friends, friends that I still value and see on a semi-regular basis.
Moving to East Garfield Park, we knew there was a house church in our neighborhood and it was comprised of a lot of people that we knew and liked and kids that we were working with through soccer and bible studies. However, we were pretty invested in First Free (leading a small group) and weren't planning on switching churches.
Things happened and God laid it on my heart that I really wanted to be at a more local church, a place that I felt that I could invite my neighbors to. For several reasons, not the least is that First Free was 30 minutes one way, I didn't feel like inviting our neighbors there was a great option. My husband had been attending First Free for about 11 years and was much more reluctant than I to leave. Eventually we made the switch in January 2007.
It has been one of the best decisions we have made (and I'm not just saying that because I know who is reading this blog). It's hard to imagine ever going back to the community church model again at this point. While the house church isn't perfect, it requires a measure of sacrifice and commitment to the church that a community church does not and thus tends to attract a higher percentage of people who are willing to do/give/sacrifice more because of it. You have a higher degree of relationship with people since there are so few (comparatively) that you can talk to everyone in your house group on a given Sunday. People notice and try to help when something is wrong. A house church is not for someone interested in just "playing church" on Sundays.
I like that the church does not having to worry about paying the bills, paying pastors, meeting a certain budget for a year. I like not having building campaigns. I like that all of the money that we tithe goes directly to ministries and people instead of overhead.
Not that the house church model (or our church) is perfect. Far from it. Childcare for young children is a big issue for me, personally. But, for me, and for our family in this stage of our lives, the house church model is the best one for us.
5 comments:
I am currently a Pastor (over youth and young adults) at a local neighborhood church. However, I felt the pull to start a house church. I probably will end up doing so eventually. One question, do you all intentionally and collectively engage your neighborhood, or is that left for only the individual lives. And even though you are a house church, do you feel you have a presence and make an impact in your community? These are just some questions I have as I consider heading that route. I don't want to start something that is only inward focused, ya know?
Hi Kindra - I didn't know you had left FF - (maybe I did but forgot...you know, mommy brain!) We are at the other type you mntioned - a "mega church" - I never thought I would a huge church but actually love it! I can see why you love a house chruch too. I'd love to hear your answers to the above question too. Glad you are happy with your decision!!
Love Kim Wheaton
Hi Freestyle -- I'm actually not the best person to answer your very thoughtful questions. One of our elders has read my blog in the past and I think he can give you better answers than I, but I'll give it a shot.
Our church has in the past been closely tied to Breakthrough Urban Ministries and has engaged the neighborhood through relationships built through there, mostly through young people. However, lately there has been less of a tie and it's more left to individuals to engage their neighbors.
I definitely feel that we have a presence in our community. The way that you worded your question "even though you are a house church" is interesting because I feel like we have a presence BECAUSE we are a house church and we're a tight knit community. Churches in our neighborhood are a dime a dozen -- there are large churches and storefront churches scattered throughout. Being a house church makes us different and unique.
Absolutely you don't want to be inward focused -- that is the right mindset to have! May the Lord bless you whenever He calls you to start a house church!
Kim -- Are you at Willow? I have been there once and was completely intimidated!
Freestyle,
I was a part of the beginning of the "house church" that Kindra described. I have been there for the ups and downs over the past six years.
As far as your specific questions, Do we collectively engage our community? Yes and no. We have done and will continue to do some neighborhood events to reach out. We also have individuals who minister together to others. For example, two of our men our coaching a local boys basketball team in order to have greater contact with our community and with the unsaved. That is the yes. The reason that I would say no is that we are not really program based. Much more organic.
I believe that we have a community impact. I pray that we will have more. Most of our people live within a few blocks of each other. We are not just a part of the same church, but the same community. We are consistly challenging each other to reach out. Definately not an exclusively inward focus.
I would encourage you to bloom wherever God plants you. If God is calling you to start something new, don't let the enemy tell you that it can't happen. No church is perfect.
If you do go the route of a house church, I would be more than willing to talk with you more about our experience and what we have learned along the way.
Grace and peace.
Kinda - We are at Life Changers International Church in Hoffman Estates
Kim
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