WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON NOT "MEETING" AT ALL?
Just a thought... What if church life, kingdom life was not about have a meeting? I am interested to hear the various viewpoints about holding scheduled meetings in homes, or keeping it free-flowing, not scheduled weekly times to meet, just whenever we get together? Are there those of you who don't have weekly house church meetings but prefer to keep it simple?
9/13/2008
WOW - I can't tell you how much I appreciate all the replies to this post. It is so awesome to see all the different folks from all over the place that are experiencing the very same effect.
To summarize what I see below... I see those that have come out the IC (Institutional Church), or are in the process within the last 6 years are in an experimental stage, feeling out were God wants them and meeting them within the "meetings". And those that have been out more than 6-7 years have rested on a simpler way of being the church.
Thank you again and feel free to post away, post away!
9/13/2008
WOW - I can't tell you how much I appreciate all the replies to this post. It is so awesome to see all the different folks from all over the place that are experiencing the very same effect.
To summarize what I see below... I see those that have come out the IC (Institutional Church), or are in the process within the last 6 years are in an experimental stage, feeling out were God wants them and meeting them within the "meetings". And those that have been out more than 6-7 years have rested on a simpler way of being the church.
Thank you again and feel free to post away, post away!
Views: 10
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Dena Brehm on -
Love it, Doug!
I'm beginning to see myself as a post-Christian, non-churching, Jesus-follower.
Sheesh, if the me of 5 years ago met the me of today -- I'd definitely disfellowship myself...!
And yet, I continue to walk in the Light I've been given by Him ... man, is it ever bright in His Presence!
Shalom, Dena
"The unanswered questions aren't nearly as dangerous as the
unquestioned answers."
"We turn to God for help when our foundations are shaking only to
learn that it is God shaking them." - Charles West
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Permalink Reply by Tom LeCompte on -
I've done a quick scan of this entire post and I might be wrong, but I didn't see anyone post or reference this scripture:
Hebrews 10:23-25
23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.
24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,
25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
I think as long as this scripture is not violated, it doesn't matter if you have scheduled weekly meetings, just so long as you are gathering, encouraging, stirring one another up to love and good works and holding fast the confession of our hope without wavering.
My personal opinion is this: I love our weekly meetings and I really look forward to them. It is comforting to me to know that at 10:00 every Sunday, I am meeting with my fellow saints in my house church. I also look forward to seeing them from time to time in the middle of the week, but that is more on an impromptu basis.
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Permalink Reply by Lisa J on -
Hebrews 10:23-25
23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.
24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,
25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
Great verse!! Thanks Tom!
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Permalink Reply by Katie Driver on -
Thanks for sharing honestly Frank about many HC's not being interested in being missional and truly reaching out to the "oikos" around them. Many of us who have been "missionaries" both in and out of traditional church structures have been troubled by this lack of interest in reaching out to the communities around us with Christ. However, there has been, in the recent couple years a growing interest in being missional within the Simple Church Movement. There is a desire growing to do more than meet regularly or fluidly with the folks you've hung around with and are similar to all the time.
I think the sowing of folks like Alan Hirsch and Neil Cole with their contributions to the movement with their books, conferences etc. have begun to sprout and grow. They sow "missional" thought, growth through multiplication , etc. People are responding.
There is a desire to reach out, but in my opinion and experience, most folks just don't know where to start. I think those of us who have a history of being missionaries and have worked in para church organizations etc. can have a great role in encouraging and releasing the members of the Body into touching the folks around them with the presence of Christ.
I personally believe God has not even begun to show the Body all the unique ways He has in store of each member to contribute to the expansion of the Kingdom. I would hate to settle for the more traditional missionary expressions we have used, and often not so effective or healthy for those we are trying to reach, in the more recent history of the Church and missions. I think God has wonderful creative ways to use us in and if we honestly want to do more than "be in our little group of friends" He will show us how.
Those of us who have a passion and motivation (like you and those your with) for being missional, can really contribute and encourage others within this movement to think outside the box of traditional missions and find the paths for reaching others that God has set for us and our unique makeups. Then, maybe the Book of Acts, could really come into our reality !
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Permalink Reply by Suzette Lambert on -
So Douglas, there is a point of our playing the either or game. Is it that we do business with each other or that we do business with the Lord or both? Because if our relationship is not vulnerable with Father, how will it ever be such with others. I read many of these posts and I see our need to be right or look wise often outweighs our availability to vulnerability. What if we took ourselves less seriously. What if we just let go of the intensity - save that for the battlefield - and just learn to be. I wonder if we should start a thread with goofy jokes or funny things Father has shown us lately. Would there be a reply or do we prefer this intense need to be right and look good posture (please realize I am addressing myself in this as well)?
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Permalink Reply by Bill Wood on -
I think there is something about purposing in our hearts to meet the Lord, whether we're just hangin' out and doing BBQ or doing dishes.
We are to come to Christ Jesus the Living Stone, not to one another, as living stones. What makes us living stones is His life, being alive unto the Father.
And I suppose it is imperitive that the awareness that our REAL lives are hidden with Christ in God, and that while our bodies are down here on this planet our real selves are in heavenly places exploring all the spiritual blessings in Jesus. And by some mystery the reality of heavenly places in Christ *bleeds* through into the seen realm of this world.
And I don't think it can be over-emphasized that all of us saints must be sensitive and responsive to the Holy Spirit, and ALWAYS mindful that Christ Jesus most definitely dwells IN EACH member of His body, and that He can manifest Himself through whichever member He sees fit.
Several years ago I was visiting a brother in the Waco, Tx.. area and went to a home-church he was participating in. The *meeting* was to commence approx. at 7p.m.. Well I and another brother were in the kitchen in front of the coffee pot and all of a sudden I sensed the Spirit of the Lord brooding over us. Well sadly, a *insinsitive* brother in the living room calls out loud that we should come together and get the meeting started...............boo!!!! Well you know the story.......
So I say do what the Spirit of the Lord leads you to do, that simple. If He's leading you to do *meetings*, by all means do meetings. If He's leading you into the wilderness, then follow Him.
If He's leading you to extend yourself to your neighbor, then do that.......
I know that there are many mis-conceptions, belief systems, and strong-holds that are standing in the way of REAL fellowship, the fellowship that our elder brother John wrote about in his first letter; fellowship that HAS ALWAYS BEEN, fellowship with the Father and with His Son, Christ Jesus. Yet, even though hinderances abound, the mercy and grace of God abound much more.
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Permalink Reply by Stephen (steve) Cornell on -
This does seem to be the direction of some our house churching friends here in FL. We have been impressed to be as anti-meeting and program as possible. Not, of course, being offensively so! What we do needs to be in the environs of Agape and not about making someone pay for the past sins of IC. God has even led 2 of us to step away from the formal meetings of the original house church group we met with and help other newer groups which are forming and rose up seperately from ours. I know I will be encouraging folks away from the icons of the past.
Steve C.
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Permalink Reply by David and Pennee on
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VERY INSIGHTFUL AND REVEALS ANOTHER HEART BEAT OF OUR FRIEND JESUS...
WE ARE FRIENDS WITH JESUS, AND WE AND ENJOYING ALL OF HIS FRIENDS WHEN WE MEET TOGETHER, AS YOU SAID EACH BRINGING A FACET OF OUR OWN PERSONAL DEVOTION AND INTIMACY THAT WE HAVE HAD WITH HIM....THE FRUIT OF OUR UNION SHARED WITH ONE ANOTHER WHICH HE MULTIPLIES SO BEAUTIFULLY...
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Permalink Reply by Dena Brehm on
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I can see this ... but I'm open to His leading on having scheduled family reunions (spiritual family), just because of the nature of it -- some of us are next-door neighbors, so we're in each other's faces all day. Others live farther away, and require some scheduling.
I like the divine-encounters that happen at Walmart (with complete strangers, some of whom become friends), on the sidewalk, in the park, in the line at the post office, etc.
I also assemble together with folks online (voila!).
He's always assembling us, His living stones, together with other living stones, for His purposes ... I see that we're not to forsake how He assembles us, however that looks...!
Shalom, Dena
"The unanswered questions aren't nearly as dangerous as the
unquestioned answers."
"We turn to God for help when our foundations are shaking only to
learn that it is God shaking them." - Charles West
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Permalink Reply by William Seabrooke on -
I have been out of the I.C. for just about 2 + months and I feel great. While I am trying to find some other like minded believers, I am devoting all my spare time getting to know Jesus, as I known by Him. It's not about us, it's all about Jesus!
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Permalink Reply by Steve Queen on -
Indeed... in my experience with people and spiritual growth...
if everyone were always led by the Holy Spirit, there would be no planning of any kind ever needed
SINCE not everyone is always led by the Holy Spirit, some degree of thinking-ahead and intentionally coming together to discuss Scripture, sing, etc. seems valuable
I, too, have found that a lot of folks want to just hang out... I like to call it "The Jesus Lounge"... which sounds groovy if you've had the tar beaten out of you by life recently.
At the end of the day, we are the family of God on His mission to make disciples. If we are not being challenged and sharpening each other, but only hanging out and talking about how great it is that we ... hang out...
eager disciples will become weary of "The Jesus Lounge"... www.livewickmedia.com/simply_follow/
konti said:Very interesting topic! Thank you guys for your insight. Before I give my own opinion I would like to introduce myself in short. I left organized church 8 years ago, if I'm not wrong. For many years I have been alone, always waiting on the Lord to bring brothers and sisters who would want to fellowship in an informal way. A couple of years ago the Lord brought to me a brother with the same passion and only lately, some 3-4 people are gathering with us. They don't seem to have really understood what the church is like, since they have not completely left IC, but they feel good and free in our fellowship.
Now to the topic. There have been meetings without any particular agenda and we could talk for hours for anything but Christ, or/and spiritual matters. Only after two or more hours, some one would spontaneously throw a sparkle and than we would find ourselves not able to stop our praisings and thanksgivings to the Lord.
There have been meetings at times with nothing spiritual at all however, only to leave without feeling fed by the Lord at all. What I have seen from this little experience is that when we meet together before the Lord and make Him our Leader, without the need of other human leaders, it is good that each one of us bring something to the meeting, which means that sometimes it is needed a beforehand prepearance. If each one of us bring something, may be the Lord will not multiply it at all and the meeting/fellowship will end in no more than 20-30 minutes, but there is a high chance that the Lord will multiply what everyone of us would bring, like He did with the bread and the fish for the crowds.
So, I think that it is good that we encourage one onother to bring something to the next meeting. This has nothing to do with agendas or schedules. I think it has to do with the priesthood of all believers. All the brothers and sisters are responsible for the meetings. Not only one or two, neither none of us.
With love,
konti
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Permalink Reply by Sean Steckbeck on -
Cynthia,
AMEN! I agree with you so much.
Interesting comments here though... definitely it is nice to read how people are walking out this journey called house church. Personally, I've been all over all of these spectrums the past 2-3 years (Out of church, home church, being the church, etc.).
This was until I met my spiritual father, Marco Gmur.
Marco looked me straight in the face and said to me, "Yeshua never said to plant house congregations, He said to make disciples."
This pierced me in the heart.
I talked to Wolfgang Simson later who came to my house here in Israel and then went to India and spent some time with Victor Choudhrie, their sentiments were similar.
I also got to spend some time in Luccerne and see their movement there (started by Florian Bartsch).
Marco then introduced me to his spiritual sons- first generation, and they introduced me to their spiritual sons- and their spiritual sons- 4 generations. ALL NEW BELIEVERS! The whole discipleship movement organically met in homes which multiplied through disciple-making.
As an interested house churcher, I asked them what they felt about the IC...most of them felt it was strange, but really didn't know what to say, because they were new believers and house church is all that they knew. Even people who were discipling groups who went in turn discipled others were new believers or saved within the context of discipleship/house church.
Their discipleship style was both the Bible and lifestyle, it was organic and organized. It was both life and discipline.
1 Cor 14 method was usually used in the Bible discussions in discipleship groups.
However, they had regular material each one went through.
This was all without hierarchy of course, once a disciple was released, he was released, and the glue of the spiritual-father and son was through relationship and trust and not through position or titleing.
They did have regular house congregations.
Interesting note though...most of the discipleship groups were friends before they were born again.
They got born again as a group.
Because the evangelism efforts were towards groups and subcultures and not neccessarily individuals.
So it was not hard to get them to meet together, since organically this was already happening.
You just add discipleship and Yeshua to their meetings.
They do have elders and deacons that are ordained in the movement, and I agree with this!!!
We can't throw out all organization, which just need to find out which organization style is biblical and which one's are traditions of men.
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