I wrote
this in response to a nonbelieving family member intrigued by my position on
"house church." I am finding that many believers trapped in
denominational teaching are looking to TV, the Internet, and bible studies (aka
house churches) for spiritual food. I'm very thankful the Lord has given us
abundant technology in these last days so that we can know the truth and return
to the Gospel which Paul preaches, the Gospel of Grace, which is the only
Gospel of Jesus Christ.
The
Rise - or should I say Return - of the House Church.
There’s a
look that comes across the face of a secular person who hears a Christian
believer proclaim the power of God working in their lives. The eyes narrow and
the jaw sets. The lips purse and the body language communicates skepticism,
doubt, the audacity that one could profess God (if there really is one) would
actually answer your prayer. “Who are you?” their eyes
question. “You aren’t perfect. I know what you’ve done,” they say with their
expression, which is nothing more than a long finger of judgment, accusing and
condemning. I have seen it many times, their minds spinning at a frenzied whir,
preparing their rebuttal to put you in your place with them and everyone else
in the world who could never be assured God would even care.
As a
Christian, I should expect such reaction from a nonbeliever, even though I’m
never quite prepared for it. But what if the same reaction were true for the average
religious person sitting in the pews of the mainline denominational churches in
North America? Would it be surprising to the secular person to know that many
professing Christians believe less in the power of God working in their
lives than many nonbelievers do? That the secular belief in Big Bang or
evolution (as the Smithsonian so aptly displays humans evolving from rats), is
more ardently believed by atheists than the tenets of Christianity professed
in the Gospels and the letters of the Apostle Paul are believed by the average
church-goer? The
average church-goer cannot articulate what they believe and why. The average
church-goer scoffs and mocks many of the miracles proclaimed in the Old
Testament and New Testament. They say such “stories” are embellished and
sometimes fabricated, and at the very least, aren’t applicable in today’s times.
Essentially,
they present Christianity as a joke and the secular world can see straight
through the smoke and mirrors. "Where is the power, where are the
miracles, where is this loving God, especially during times of tragedy and
disaster?" the world asks again and again. Answer: passed away with the
first century church, passed away with the first century church, ah… regarding
that third question, we’re not sure.
So why on
earth would anyone want to be part of this Sunday morning ritual when warm bedcovers,
a hot cup of coffee, and the allure of the Internet is there waiting? For this
Christian and her husband, enough was enough. After a long battle of
"should we or shouldn’t we," we broke away from the denominational
church and started our own house church, sitting under the teaching of a
nondenominational pastor via TV and the Internet who lives in Singapore, of all
places. We dress up, sing and pray, study the bible, discuss and share, and
take communion just like we would at any other church. But there is a freedom
in knowing we are amongst other people who truly believe God’s promises in the
Bible. Yes, guilt knocks on the door of our hearts, telling us we are wrong and
we ought to get back into the confines of bricks and mortar with a tall steeple
over our heads and a licensed theologian wagging his bony finger at us, but we
have resolved to stand firm and act in accordance with what others before us
have done.
Unbeknownst
to many believers, house church has been the mainstay of the body of Christ for
centuries. The Apostle Paul in the New Testament refers to house churches, and
in countries where there is much persecution, like China, the house church is
essential. Even in mega churches in North America where thousands of members
congregate on Sunday to hear a sermon, much of the real ministry happens in
community groups and bible studies, which are essentially house churches where
group leaders and bible study teachers serve as pastors.
And yet,
for many religious Christians, there is nothing more horrifying than the notion
of attending house church. To them, house church is dangerous, a sacrilege that
might lead to error and heretical teaching. It doesn’t provide the comfort that
stained glass and organ music provides, or in this day, the electric guitar and
pop band performing on stage. I know, because when I invited several believing
friends to attend our house church, you would have thought I had asked them to
strip naked and prance across a stage. Now, if I had called it bible study or
community group, perhaps I would’ve been more successful. Reckon I could do
with some improvement in my marketing skills.
Nevertheless,
with the strength of the Internet and technology, house churches are on the
rise. Even in the Bible belt, brave souls are stepping out, inviting others to
come to the comfort and safety of their home on Sunday morning to hear from and
learn about God, apart from the confines of religion. And a new generation is
responding. For a long time, they have questioned the authority of science and
evolution and the religious belief of their parents, desiring to know a God who
is real. Churchy rules, guilt and condemnation, and hell-fire preaching that
remind us of our shortcomings don’t satisfy anymore. Who of us needs to be
reminded of all our flaws? We know best where we fall short. No, this new
generation wants something real, something that reflects the Jesus in the
Gospels, a Jesus who is loving and powerful, yet approachable, a Jesus who
cares and wants to show each of us His grand purpose for our lives.
All of
us, whether we want to admit it or not, desire to know if there is a God of
second chances, if there truly is a heavenly father who loves and forgives.
Thankfully, where the denominations fall short in answering this question, the
Bible is there, unchanged, its words providing comfort and solace if we dare to
open its pages. The unconventional setting of a house church gives many the
courage and opportunity to do just that.
