Emerge yourself in the River...past the ankles,past the knees,..till its out of Your control...and let the River within consume you!...And out of you will flow Rivers of Living Water!!..JESUS!

Sandy-thanks for responding! There's a man from our area, named Terry Bear, who with his wife, and I think kids/grandkids lived in Cincy for a # of yrs. The Lord told him to move-they were pastoring there. Because she didn't want to leave the kids, etc, ended up the church folded. the Bears live in Fla. but still own their home in Cincy. They were in a meeting at the pastors house about a mo. ago. Great meeting! I called it a house church meeting. However, the church we are attending has gotten more structured, less letting the Holy Spirit move, and my hubby and I do not want to do this anymore.
I don't see any house churches listed in Lima area. I know there were a couple a few yrs. ago, but we attended some of their meetings, and found their reasons for house church were because of b eing wounded in churches, and their was a real air of exclusivity. I don't know if they are even in existence today. Diane.

Sandy, I haven't read the book, but I know it's about the organized church structure and small fellowships that multiply. Don and I had some experience with home fellowships, and there are churches who do it. I think that many won't want to do it,and probably won't, unless they are dissatisifed with the existing structure, are hungry, or are forced to meet in small groups, because of persecution, which could very well happen.
Diane

Yeh, we've been in several different home groups. Now, we didn't have the problem of gossip or roasting the preacher, but the guidelines the church set up-God didn't seem to want to follow. Example: 15 minutes for praise and worship, 1/2hr to discuss the pastor's sermon from Sun. morning, 15min. for the people to function in the gifts, etc, etc. God is good, and He provides what we need, and where. Don and I are in transition, and need to know what direction God wants us to go in. We seem to have gone around this mountain we're on, several times, so we know we need His direction, and possibly launch out, not knowing what direction the promised land is in. In home fellowships, we need to understand that there will be some issues and problems-with people, that happens-but if God is leading in that direction, we want to be obedient. We wrere in Wales 3yrs ago, for a conference at a man named Arthur Burt's place. He's 97yrs young, and still an awesome man of God. He ministers in churches, as well as fellowships, and in his town and home, the church meets at his house-because he has more room to do so. Meetings were awesome-both the conference, and the home meetings.

Hi Sandy: Thanks for your comments. There still is a Chief Market in Wauseon, a nice friendly store. We are brand new to the Simple Church. We both have a varied background in the traditional church. I have been a member, staff person and a pastor in several churches. We are looking for an experience where Jesus is the Head and we are growing disciples, reaching out to others bringing God message to where they are rather thn expecting them to show up at church.
Blessings on your ministry.
Ned and Rita

hey there,
we met at the "Rest" area, right?

just a reminder we're getting together tomorrow at mom and dad's at 4. Will you be able to reach Cindy? I already told her about it but I wasn't sure if we would be at mom's or our house.

Hi, Waverly is a little over an hour south of Columbus (just south of Chillicothe). I'm originally from just west of Toledo (north of Swanton, where my parents still live), so we get up that way several times a year.

Sandy, I am blessed to know you will be leading a discussion group using my book, THE CHURCH IN THE HOUSE - A Return to Simplicity. God bless you in this endeavor and bring forth much fruit. Please keep in touch and let me know how it goes. Robert Fitts

Thank you Sandy for your response. I am looking to start a Simple Church in Shutesbury Ma./Amherst area. Any encouragement is a blessing to this mission. Love the dog. I have a Bichon and a female Afghan Hound. Bless you my new friend in Christ! In Him, Lori

Blessings and peace be upon you dear sister in the Name of the most high Jesus our King and Savior! Its cool to be pen palls with Christians! I have raised 4 children mostly on my own. I have a small Hair Salon where I work, God has blessed me much throughout the years. I struggle hard to survive tho and at times feel like I am being crushed to death. But God is soverign over my life and pulls me out of jams left and right. I need to just focus on Him and not my problems as we are tested much in this life to prepare us for the next right? At this point my car "blew up" and is to costly to repair. I am renting a car for $170 per week until I can figure out what to do. My bank account is at -0. I should recoup a bit of cash from working this week but please pray for me! I live 20 miles each way from work and there is no other transportation available (other wise I would gladly take the bus!) Ok I know God has a plan and I am only telling you this ( I have told no one else!) so you might pray for this single mom of 4, and I know God will help me somehow. God is great and comforts the downtrodden. Only He is merciful and good to those who call out to Him day and night. I am glad you are moving closer to your family and Simple Church . I love my kids more than my own life and they are great! Elijah, Shanti, Joshua & Chloe. Peace and thanks for letting me "rant"! God Bless You, Lori of Shutesbury Ma.