Brian Stevenson's Comments

Hello Brian,

This is the 2nd day I have tried to respond to your message through your inbox, but every time I try it tells me that the message center is down. So I'm leaving my response on your wall.

At this meeting, you will have the opportunity to meet several others from central Ohio. I know that some of them have not yet connected with other Believers who meet regularly. Some of them, however, have just began meeting together...a group of about 5 families from the central Ohio area (Columbus/Hocking Hills).

This gathering will also be an opportunity to meet and fellowship with other Believers from around the state who are involved (or who would like to be involved) in organic house church. Several of us met at a conference in Toledo last year where Frank Viola and Milt Rodriguez spoke. Others were already connected relationally, i.e., family and friends. (For instance, I have family in Northwest Ohio & friends in other parts of the state involved in organic house church.) Several of us decided to meet up back in August, and we had a wonderful time in fellowship with each other and the Lord. Everyone wanted to meet up again, so we decided to meet in Columbus since it is centrally located in the state. As others from around the state are finding out about our last meeting, they too are interested in coming to this next gathering.

We (me and my family) left institutional church about 7 1/2 years ago. At that time, we did not know any other Believers in our area that were meeting as a house church. The Lord eventually connected us with others in our area. We have been meeting for approximately 4 years now. Be encouraged...the Lord will connect you with other Believers in your area. :-)

If you have any other questions, feel free to contact me.

Hi Brian - thanks for the welcome! I enjoy seeing your updates on Facebook...

Blessings brother,
Colin

I just finished "The Rabbit and the Elephant" a couple of weeks ago; it's excellent. Other great ones include the following...

- "Revolution," by George Barna
- "So you Don't Want to go to Church Anymore," by Wayne Jacobsen
- "The House Church Book," by Wolfgang Simson
- "Pagan Christianity," by Frank Viola and George Barna
- "Reimagining Church," by Frank Viola
- "Finding Organic Church," by Frank Viola
- "The Normal Christian Church Life," by Watchman Nee

"When the Church Leaves the Building," by David Fredickson wasn't my favorite but it may also be worth checking out.

And although they're slightly off-topic, the book "Simple Church" by Thom Rainer and Eric Geiger is excellent. And I tell anyone who is looking for a good book that they should read "The Barbarian Way," by Erwin McManus - a good wake-up call to a sleeping church.

Right now, I'm reading "Organic Church," by Neil Cole. And "Simply Church," by Tony & Felicity Dale is on its way. :-)