Feb 5, 2012
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House Churches: Separating Reality from Fiction
It is clear that house churches (also known as organic or simple churches) are on the rise, but the percentage participating in house churches is still small. Furthermore, global church planting movements look more like the house churches in the United States: they “are generally unencumbered by buildings, paid clergy, and denomination credentialing.” Much of the house church literature today deals with whether the house church is better than the existing models of church. Rather than engage that debate, Ed and Warren suggest that we need all of the existing models and more to realizing a church multiplication movement. We need traditional churches, house churches, mega churches, micro churches, and everything in between to replicate in order to see a Gospel movement take place. As we give permission for more models of church planting, it is likely that organic or house church networks with a strong DNA of multiplication will be involved. Neil Cole, a champion of this movement, says, “we must lower the bar of how we do church and raise the bar on what it means to be a disciple.” Of course, the simpler the approach, the quicker it can be reproduced, which is why this has potential to fuel a church multiplication movement. Here, Ed and Warren take a quick aside to talk about ecclesiology. It is clear that like house churches, churches do not require buildings, programs, and budgets. But, there does seem to be clear marks which include things like “biblical leadership, covenant community, [and] practicing the ordinances ...” As Ed Stetzer has studied the planters associated with Church Multiplication Associates (Neil Cole’s organization), it is clear that they are actually starting new house churches, that training is taking place, and that discipleship is central. However, there is a dangerous tendency to be inward-focused.
Should we be looking to start Anglican house churches?
What challenges do house churches pose to Anglican ethos and identity?
Can churches be planted without buildings and paid clergy? Is it wise?
Posted on June 29, 2010
Yes we should.
Main challenge for traditional Anglicans is that house churches are so unfamiliar. We are used to beautiful, reverent, dignified space in which to worship and identify the church with the building. Also, there are practical advantages to having some dedicated space, eg for offices and weekday events and for somewhere that people can drop in.
Churches are being planted all over the world without buildings and paid clergy. Unpaid clergy however have to divide their time between earning a living and doing “church work”.
I should be delighted to have conversations with anyone interested in Anglican house church plants . Contact at coolcomoxatgmail.com replacing the “at” appropriately.
Posted by Frdavid on 07-10-2010 at 01:06 PM