Christians pride themselves on being people of the Book. By this we mean that we love the Bible and we strive to follow what’s written in the Word of God as closely as possible.
However, in practice we quite often fall very short of that mark. Strangely, one of the areas where we stray from the clearly written instructions of the New Testament is the practice of gathering as a Church.
Hear me out.
If we read the letters of Paul, Peter and James we'll see what they considered to be essential for the life and growth of the Church. Therefore, there's no reason for us to do anything other than exactly what the Apostles say when it comes to gathering together. In fact, the very word for "church" in the New Testament is "ekklesia" which means "sent ones" or "a gathering together".
In other words, it should go without saying that if Paul were to enter one of our Church buildings today he should expect to see us participating in the ways that he and the other Apostles commanded.
Let's look at what the Apostles considered normative ekklesia:
“What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church.” 1 Corinthians 14:26
According to this verse, Paul considers the following things to be essential to the health of every Church:
Coming together (“When you come together”)
Open participation (“Everyone”)
People-led worship (“Everyone has a hymn”)
People-led teaching (“Everyone has...a word of instruction”)
People exercising their spiritual gifts freely(“Everyone has...a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation”)
How do we know that Paul considers these activities to be important and essential? Because he tells us: “ALL of these MUST BE DONE for the STRENGTHENING of the Church.”
If we ask Paul's opinion about church growth, he would tell us that it's vital that every believe participate in the leading of worship, the teaching of God's Word, and the sharing of the gifts of the spirit. Do we care what Paul's opinion is on this subject? Is it up to us to just decide for ourselves to dismiss Paul's instruction as mere suggestion and go with what we prefer?
Notice also that Paul's concern is for the Church to be "strengthened". His priority is for the believers to grow deeper, not larger in number. It's quality, not quantity that he is concerned with here.
But this isn't the only place where we find the Apostle's instruction regarding the activities of the Church.
According to the New Testament:
We should confess our sins to one another and pray for one another when we gather together: “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” James 5:16
We should instruct one another when we gather together: “I myself am convinced, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, complete in knowledge and competent to instruct one another.” Romans 15:14
We should teach and admonish (gently correct and encourage) one another and sing together: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” Colossians 3:16
We should comfort and build up one another: “Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11
We should urgently warn one another to follow Christ: “But exhort one another daily, while it is called Today; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.” Hebrews 3:13
“Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” Hebrews 10:25
We should encourage good works in one another: "And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works" Hebrews 10:24
We should use our spiritual gifts to bless others: "As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God." 1 Peter 4:10
Notice all the "one another's" here? The ongoing ministry of the members to one another was one of the fundamental elements of church in the New Testament.
There are 58 "one another's" in the New Testament. Twenty one of these verses (the vast majority) command us to love one another. Four of them command us to encourage one another. Three of them command us to serve one another and two of them remind us to forgive one another. The rest speak of instructing one another, being patient and kind to one another, submitting to one another, singing to one another, or putting the needs of others above our own.
Taken all together, these "one another's" remind us that we are responsible for one another spiritually. Helping our brothers and sisters move towards greater Christ-likeness is dependent upon our active participation as contributing members of the Body of Christ.
This means we cannot do it alone. We need one another. And that also means that you are an important part of this process. You are necessary. You matter. We cannot grow as the Lord Jesus intends us to grow without your willing obedience to God's command to love, serve, and encourage your brothers and sisters in Christ.
My prayer has been that the Lord would help me to invest more of myself in the community of believers I find myself in today. Honestly, I've been holding back a little too much lately, and I know that I can only get out of the experience what I pour into it.
We are given as a gift to the Body and the Body is God's gift to us. Let us practice these "one another's" with all that is within us and trust Jesus to build His Church, just as He promised He would.
"But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be." (1 Corinthians 12:18)
"Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one another." (Ephesians 4:25)
**
Keith Giles is the author of "This Is My Body:Ekklesia As God Intended". He and his wife Wendy have been part of a house church in Orange, California where 100% of the offering is given to help the poor in their community and no one takes a salary.
Join Keith, along with Neil Cole, Ross Rohde, Ken Eastburn, Bill Faris, Scott Underwood, and many others at MOMENTUM 2012 on Friday, March 30 and Saturday, March 31st.
To find out more and to register online visit the main page at House2House.com
HERE>
Showing posts with label Simple Church. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Simple Church. Show all posts
Friday, March 16, 2012
Sunday, January 29, 2012
WELCOME TO THE OC HOUSE CHURCH NETWORK
If you're looking to join a house church, or to start your own group, please contact any of the house church groups listed at the left-side navigation, or email us here at the OCHouseChurch.com website for assistance.
You can reach us at OCHouseChurch@gmail.com.
You can reach us at OCHouseChurch@gmail.com.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
THIS SATURDAY: STREAMING HOUSE2HOUSE CONFERENCE
Come join us this Saturday at Fuller Seminary in Irvine as we gather to watch (via Skype) the Saturday main sessions from Momentum, the House2House Conference.
Here's the schedule. Times are converted to PST.
Saturday Sept 3rd
LIVE ~ 12pm to 1:30pm Plenary Session 3 - Wolfgang Simson
LIVE ~ 3:45 pm - 5:15 pm Plenary Session 4 - Neil Cole
REPLAY ~ 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm Plenary Session 2 - Frank Viola
WHERE: Fuller Seminary (Irvine)
2021 Business Center Drive, Suite 115
Irvine, CA 92612
YOU MUST RSVP TO ATTEND:
Send an email to OCHOUSECHURCH@GMAIL.COM to let us know you're coming, how many you're bringing with you and which sessions you'll attend.
Attendance is FREE.
**
Here's the schedule. Times are converted to PST.
Saturday Sept 3rd
LIVE ~ 12pm to 1:30pm Plenary Session 3 - Wolfgang Simson
LIVE ~ 3:45 pm - 5:15 pm Plenary Session 4 - Neil Cole
REPLAY ~ 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm Plenary Session 2 - Frank Viola
WHERE: Fuller Seminary (Irvine)
2021 Business Center Drive, Suite 115
Irvine, CA 92612
YOU MUST RSVP TO ATTEND:
Send an email to OCHOUSECHURCH@GMAIL.COM to let us know you're coming, how many you're bringing with you and which sessions you'll attend.
Attendance is FREE.
**
Friday, May 6, 2011
USA TODAY FEATURES: Simple Church
This article includes an interview with our very own Ken Eastburn of The Well, one of our OC/Organic Church Forum friends, so I had to share this here.
**
Simple Churches Find a Foothold Across the U.S.
By Cathy Lynn Grossman
USA Today
(RNS) This weekend, Jeanne O'Hair, her friends and family will raise their voices in Easter hymns "as the spirit leads us," she says, in her "house church" -- O'Hair's living room in Brea, Calif.
In a metal outbuilding at a shuttered horse track near San Antonio, Jeff Bishop says he will celebrate at his "simple church" under a rough-hewed cedar cross, with "folks who speak 'cowboy' like I do."
In Washington, D.C., at the Saturday night Easter Vigil, "we'll keep it casual and focused on Christ," says William D'Antonio, a member of a network of Catholic-style house churches called "Intentional Eucharistic communities."
No matter what you call them, house churches, or "simple" or "organic" churches, have long thrived in Third World countries where clergy and funds for church buildings are scarce. Now, however, they are attracting a small but loyal following across the U.S.
It's not that Americans can't find a conventional church congregation. Rather, millions of believers are leaving the pews for small, regular weekly gatherings where they pray, worship, study Scripture and support each other's spiritual lives.
These groups operate without a building, a budget, an outside authority or, often, even a pastor. Many are lay-led groups where they like to say they "do church," rather than "go to church."
Participants are not "Christmas & Easter Christians" -- folks who pour into the buildings on peak holy days and fade away a week later. Instead, "they're intensely active believers who want to take charge themselves and find something that feels more authentic," said Christian
research expert George Barna, author of a new book, Maximum Faith.
"If you look at the Bible, the church we have today is nowhere to be found. The original form of church was the house church. Older people want to find a more personal experience of God and young people don't want the congregational structure or process. People don't want to just read the responsive reading when they are told to," Barna said.
A January 2011 survey by Barna Research (the firm that Barna founded and later sold) found that 5 percent of Americans -- about 11.5 million American adults -- say they attend a "house church or simple church, which is not associated in any way with a local, congregational type of church," at least weekly or monthly.
That's up from 4 percent (about 8.8 million adults) in 2006. Although the increase is slight, it's clearly "more than a passing fancy. It has staying power," current Barna Research President David Kinnaman says.
Before moving to California, O'Hair was on the staff of an Oregon megachurch that pulled out all the stops with Easter pageantry -- and later disbanded.
"We just weren't seeing any fruit, any new members, for all that huge expense of time and effort. I love Jesus and I love the church, but I think the way we do institutional church in America will be extinct before long. It will just crumble," O'Hair said.
Now, she says she's happier celebrating her Christian faith with Sunday morning house church meetings and pot-luck breakfast with her spiritual family.
"We believe this is what Paul meant by the priesthood of believers, something that's increasingly missing in the modern, hierarchical church," said O'Hair, who works in accounting at a private Christian school.
Bishop, a retired fireman and acting director of the American Fellowship of Cowboy Churches, is not seminary trained or ordained, but has a license to conduct weddings.
"We're not affiliated with any denomination, but we are affiliated -- we're affiliated with Christ," he says, using a favorite expression.
Bishop had taken the traditional church route, but said "I don't miss a thing about it. This is church for people like me -- rural folk who speak my language."
Ken Eastburn, an ordained Southern Baptist minister, checked out of traditional church a decade ago and jumped into a church without walls. Now he works with The Well, a network of eight groups like O'Hair's.
"The whole point is not to be passive about your faith," Eastburn said. "Groups might meet on Sundays or on a weeknight but the constants are that there's always a meal together, a time of sharing, a time of prayer and Bible reading, and listening to each other and God, not a pastor."
Traditional churches have taken note of the growing desire for more simple ways to worship.
"Every large church I know is looking for ways to get small, to provide intimacy that may be missing," says Kevin DeYoung, senior pastor at the 500-member University Reformed Church in East Lansing, Mich., and co-author of Why We Love the Church: In Praise of Institutions and Organized Religion.
"Christians can meet anywhere from a cathedral to a storefront to a basement. There's no one perfect model," DeYoung said.
One drawback, he said, is that alternative congregations may drift away from church doctrine: "One of the main jobs of the church is to be the pillar of the truth, and its leaders are there to shepherd and guard it. It can be dicey in these small groups."
Catholics like D'Antonio remain tethered to the historic church through the volunteer priests who serve the Eucharistic communities, even if many don't ask the local bishop for permission.
"People are weary of all the constraints," says D'Antonio, a sociologist at Catholic University and co-author of a study, "The Catholic Experience of Small Christian Communities."
"We may have about 45 people at Easter vigil, but when we light the Easter candle and march into worship, we'll make as much noise singing as they will at any big parish."
Cathy Lynn Grossman writes for USA Today.
*See original article
HERE
**
Simple Churches Find a Foothold Across the U.S.
By Cathy Lynn Grossman
USA Today
(RNS) This weekend, Jeanne O'Hair, her friends and family will raise their voices in Easter hymns "as the spirit leads us," she says, in her "house church" -- O'Hair's living room in Brea, Calif.
In a metal outbuilding at a shuttered horse track near San Antonio, Jeff Bishop says he will celebrate at his "simple church" under a rough-hewed cedar cross, with "folks who speak 'cowboy' like I do."
In Washington, D.C., at the Saturday night Easter Vigil, "we'll keep it casual and focused on Christ," says William D'Antonio, a member of a network of Catholic-style house churches called "Intentional Eucharistic communities."
No matter what you call them, house churches, or "simple" or "organic" churches, have long thrived in Third World countries where clergy and funds for church buildings are scarce. Now, however, they are attracting a small but loyal following across the U.S.
It's not that Americans can't find a conventional church congregation. Rather, millions of believers are leaving the pews for small, regular weekly gatherings where they pray, worship, study Scripture and support each other's spiritual lives.
These groups operate without a building, a budget, an outside authority or, often, even a pastor. Many are lay-led groups where they like to say they "do church," rather than "go to church."
Participants are not "Christmas & Easter Christians" -- folks who pour into the buildings on peak holy days and fade away a week later. Instead, "they're intensely active believers who want to take charge themselves and find something that feels more authentic," said Christian
research expert George Barna, author of a new book, Maximum Faith.
"If you look at the Bible, the church we have today is nowhere to be found. The original form of church was the house church. Older people want to find a more personal experience of God and young people don't want the congregational structure or process. People don't want to just read the responsive reading when they are told to," Barna said.
A January 2011 survey by Barna Research (the firm that Barna founded and later sold) found that 5 percent of Americans -- about 11.5 million American adults -- say they attend a "house church or simple church, which is not associated in any way with a local, congregational type of church," at least weekly or monthly.
That's up from 4 percent (about 8.8 million adults) in 2006. Although the increase is slight, it's clearly "more than a passing fancy. It has staying power," current Barna Research President David Kinnaman says.
Before moving to California, O'Hair was on the staff of an Oregon megachurch that pulled out all the stops with Easter pageantry -- and later disbanded.
"We just weren't seeing any fruit, any new members, for all that huge expense of time and effort. I love Jesus and I love the church, but I think the way we do institutional church in America will be extinct before long. It will just crumble," O'Hair said.
Now, she says she's happier celebrating her Christian faith with Sunday morning house church meetings and pot-luck breakfast with her spiritual family.
"We believe this is what Paul meant by the priesthood of believers, something that's increasingly missing in the modern, hierarchical church," said O'Hair, who works in accounting at a private Christian school.
Bishop, a retired fireman and acting director of the American Fellowship of Cowboy Churches, is not seminary trained or ordained, but has a license to conduct weddings.
"We're not affiliated with any denomination, but we are affiliated -- we're affiliated with Christ," he says, using a favorite expression.
Bishop had taken the traditional church route, but said "I don't miss a thing about it. This is church for people like me -- rural folk who speak my language."
Ken Eastburn, an ordained Southern Baptist minister, checked out of traditional church a decade ago and jumped into a church without walls. Now he works with The Well, a network of eight groups like O'Hair's.
"The whole point is not to be passive about your faith," Eastburn said. "Groups might meet on Sundays or on a weeknight but the constants are that there's always a meal together, a time of sharing, a time of prayer and Bible reading, and listening to each other and God, not a pastor."
Traditional churches have taken note of the growing desire for more simple ways to worship.
"Every large church I know is looking for ways to get small, to provide intimacy that may be missing," says Kevin DeYoung, senior pastor at the 500-member University Reformed Church in East Lansing, Mich., and co-author of Why We Love the Church: In Praise of Institutions and Organized Religion.
"Christians can meet anywhere from a cathedral to a storefront to a basement. There's no one perfect model," DeYoung said.
One drawback, he said, is that alternative congregations may drift away from church doctrine: "One of the main jobs of the church is to be the pillar of the truth, and its leaders are there to shepherd and guard it. It can be dicey in these small groups."
Catholics like D'Antonio remain tethered to the historic church through the volunteer priests who serve the Eucharistic communities, even if many don't ask the local bishop for permission.
"People are weary of all the constraints," says D'Antonio, a sociologist at Catholic University and co-author of a study, "The Catholic Experience of Small Christian Communities."
"We may have about 45 people at Easter vigil, but when we light the Easter candle and march into worship, we'll make as much noise singing as they will at any big parish."
Cathy Lynn Grossman writes for USA Today.
*See original article
HERE
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
OC/ORGANIC CHURCH FORUM - SAT. APRIL 30
OC/OC FORUM - APRIL 30TH, 9AM TO 11AM AT FULLER (IRVINE)
SPECIAL GUESTS:
Paul and Lori Byerly from House2House.com and TheMarriageBed.com
THIS IS A FREE EVENT!
At Fuller Seminary California Coast
2021 Business Center Drive, Suite 115
Irvine, CA 92612
Need more info? Post questions here or email: OCHouseChurch@gmail.com
Hope to see you there!
Paul and Lori Byerly have been involved in various forms of church leadership for most of their adult live. In 1999 their frustration at the lack of fellowship and community in their church lead them into house church. In 2000 Paul and Lori began to volunteer for House2House, a resource for house church groups. In 2005 the Byerlys become paid staff for House2House. In early 2010 Paul and Lori became part of a local “hybrid” church which focuses on both a Sunday service and weekly home based Life Groups. In April Paul and Lori became the coaches for the Life Groups. They remain active in a regional house church network.
Paul and Lori have ministered to married couples, primarily on-line, for 14 years. Their on-line resources include The Marriage Bed web site, daily blogs The Generous Wife and The Generous Husband, and a Twitter feed.
The Byerlys live in a small town north of Spokane with their son. They spend their free time gardening and remodelling they home the bought last year. Their daughter who lives in Texas gave them their first grandchild in March.
ABOUT THE OC/ORGANIC CHURCH FORUM
We are a loose association of different organic, simple and house church families throughout the Orange County area who are working together to encourage one another, share ideas and resources and help others who feel called to this way of "being Church".
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
ORGANIC CHURCH SUMMIT - SATURDAY, SEPT. 11TH
YOU'RE INVITED - ORANGE COUNTY ORGANIC CHURCH SUMMIT
On Saturday, Sept.11th, you're invited to gather and share ideas, ask questions and fellowship with others who are either currently involved in an organic/simple/house church, or are curious to learn more about what it is and how it works.
This free event will be an open dialog style meeting. No speaker or experts will be taking the stage. Instead, we will sit in a circle and allow everyone to interact with one another.
Our topic will be, "One Size Does NOT Fit All: Different Models of Organic Church".
Various members of local organic churches will be invited, including our brothers and sisters from The Well, Vineyard at Home (VCMN), Soul Leader, The Mission, and others.
Details:
OC Organic Church Summit
Saturday, Sept.11th, 2010
From 2pm to 4pm
At St. Matthew's Catholic Church
1111 West Town and Country Road
Orange, CA 92868-4615
Hope you can join us!
For more info and to RSVP:
e-mail: elysiansky@hotmail.com
On Saturday, Sept.11th, you're invited to gather and share ideas, ask questions and fellowship with others who are either currently involved in an organic/simple/house church, or are curious to learn more about what it is and how it works.
This free event will be an open dialog style meeting. No speaker or experts will be taking the stage. Instead, we will sit in a circle and allow everyone to interact with one another.
Our topic will be, "One Size Does NOT Fit All: Different Models of Organic Church".
Various members of local organic churches will be invited, including our brothers and sisters from The Well, Vineyard at Home (VCMN), Soul Leader, The Mission, and others.
Details:
OC Organic Church Summit
Saturday, Sept.11th, 2010
From 2pm to 4pm
At St. Matthew's Catholic Church
1111 West Town and Country Road
Orange, CA 92868-4615
Hope you can join us!
For more info and to RSVP:
e-mail: elysiansky@hotmail.com
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
OC ORGANIC CHURCH SUMMIT - SEPT. 11TH
Make plans (if you can) to join us and many other house church groups in Orange County at the OC Organic Church Summit.
On Saturday, Sept.11th, a free open forum will be held for those who want to learn more about organic church. This will be a time to gather and share ideas, ask questions and fellowship with others who are either currently involved in a new testament, (organic), church, or with others who are curious and want to learn more.
This will be an open dialog style meeting. No speaker or experts will be taking the stage. Instead, we will sit in a circle and allow everyone to interact with one another as the Spirit leads.
Our topic: "One Size Does NOT Fit All: Varieties of Organic Church"
Details:
OC Organic Church Summit
Saturday, Sept.11th, 2010
From 2pm to 4pm
At St. Matthew's Catholic Church
1111 West Town and Country Road
Orange, CA 92868-4615
Various members of local organic churches will be invited, including our brothers and sisters from The Well, Vineyard at Home (VCMN), Soul Leader, The Mission, and others.
For more information please e-mail:
ochousechurch@gmail.com
Hope to see you all there!
On Saturday, Sept.11th, a free open forum will be held for those who want to learn more about organic church. This will be a time to gather and share ideas, ask questions and fellowship with others who are either currently involved in a new testament, (organic), church, or with others who are curious and want to learn more.
This will be an open dialog style meeting. No speaker or experts will be taking the stage. Instead, we will sit in a circle and allow everyone to interact with one another as the Spirit leads.
Our topic: "One Size Does NOT Fit All: Varieties of Organic Church"
Details:
OC Organic Church Summit
Saturday, Sept.11th, 2010
From 2pm to 4pm
At St. Matthew's Catholic Church
1111 West Town and Country Road
Orange, CA 92868-4615
Various members of local organic churches will be invited, including our brothers and sisters from The Well, Vineyard at Home (VCMN), Soul Leader, The Mission, and others.
For more information please e-mail:
ochousechurch@gmail.com
Hope to see you all there!
Thursday, May 28, 2009
HOME BIBLE STUDIES ARE ILLEGAL IN SAN DIEGO?
A local pastor and his wife claim a San Diego County official threatened escalating fines if they continued to hold Bible Studies in their home.
FULL VIDEO CLIP VIA ABC NEWS SAN DIEGO HERE
So, what would I do if it suddenly became illegal to continue hosting house church gatherings in my home?
What if it became illegal to continue passing out free groceries to the poor or the homeless?
Would I continue to obey Jesus and risk being arrested, or thrown into prison, or fined thousands of dollars by the county?
Maybe I'll find out sooner rather than later...?
FULL VIDEO CLIP VIA ABC NEWS SAN DIEGO HERE
So, what would I do if it suddenly became illegal to continue hosting house church gatherings in my home?
What if it became illegal to continue passing out free groceries to the poor or the homeless?
Would I continue to obey Jesus and risk being arrested, or thrown into prison, or fined thousands of dollars by the county?
Maybe I'll find out sooner rather than later...?
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
KEN EASTBURN OF THE WELL
Ken Eastburn is the founder of The Well, a network of house churches that began in Southern California, and has spread to Pittsburgh, and most recently in Ghana, Africa.
The story of The Well—now located in Orange County, California—actually began long before I became its pastor. Originally named First Southern Baptist Church of La Habra 1952, the church experienced many ebbs and tides—from congregation size to pastoral leadership—over its first 50 years. By 2003, the 20 or so members who stuck around felt trampled and without answers.
Enter: me, Ken Eastburn. Over a cup of coffee, our denomination’s Missions Director asked whether I would consider stepping into the pastorate at this struggling church. I reluctantly agreed to visit with an “open mind.” But at my first sight of every wooden pew and plastic flower bouquet that adorned the sanctuary platform, I quickly dismissed the pastoral position. However, God still had his foot wedged in the door and six months later, I agreed to meet with the church’s board.
During the interview the five elderly board members’ faces looked war-torn. Seeking some reason why I might join their plight, I asked, “What’s next for this church?” One deep, male voice broke through the silence and with confidence said, “The Holy Spirit is not through with us.” His answer gripped my heart; I believed along with this man that God was still moving in their midst. So, in November 2003, I became their pastor.
But from the first time I stepped behind the large, wooden pulpit, I began to butt heads with some folks in the church body. Every time I tried to make a change—such as moving the “great, white Bible” from the altar, I stepped into sacred territory. Desperate to discover something radical, I even tried out a few funky techniques I had read about. We hosted a coffee-house style evening, complete with dim lighting, candles, and emo-type band. The whole endeavor flopped with a thud, and I was back at square one. So I prayed…and prayed…and prayed. And when I had finished, I prayed some more.
Our sweet and supportive church treasurer, Bonnie, suggested that the church buy a house, in which my family and I could live and the church could worship. Although the idea was fraught with potential problems, her proposal got me thinking. I went online and Googled the words “house” and “church.” A new world exploded in front of me. The more I read and researched about house churches in America, the more convinced I became that God was moving behind the scenes—and I was terrified.
In September 2004, five congregation members agreed to attend a house church conference with me in Denver, CO. After every seminar and assembly, their cry became, “We HAVE to do this!” So without a clear roadblock from the five, I proposed to the board the idea of leaving the building to begin meeting in houses.
Surprisingly, they, too, seemed to like the idea. Our little congregation agreed. Over the next four months, we prayed, fasted, researched, and dreamed together about what a house church model might look like. The congregation members went from “Don’t you dare get rid of the plastic flowers” to “Let’s change it all.”
The congregation radically voted to leave the building and we became The Well, a community of house churches. We adopted our new name immediately—even before we left our building—and began to make preparations to ditch the concrete. Finally, on a Sunday morning in January of 2005, The Well met in its building for the last time. We stepped out over the threshold…and never looked back.
Although bold and terrifying, leaving our building behind began our journey of discovering what the Church is really all about. Along the way, we have learned that everything a “normal” church does—missions, study, growth, evangelism, and so on—we can do together, because a change of venue does not negate the responsibilities and privileges we share with any other church. Daily, God continues to transform us…and He’s not done with us yet.
What about you?
Do you believe the Holy Spirit is still moving in your midst? While God does not lead everyone down the same path, His desire for you to be an active member of His Body remains the same. Could something as simple as a building be standing in the way of your becoming the living, breathing Body of Christ? Is it time for you to strip down to the bare essentials and become the Church all over again?
If so, we invite you to join us on this journey and leave the building.
JOIN US FOR MOMENTUM 2012 ON MARCH 30 & 31. REGISTER TODAY>
The story of The Well—now located in Orange County, California—actually began long before I became its pastor. Originally named First Southern Baptist Church of La Habra 1952, the church experienced many ebbs and tides—from congregation size to pastoral leadership—over its first 50 years. By 2003, the 20 or so members who stuck around felt trampled and without answers.
Enter: me, Ken Eastburn. Over a cup of coffee, our denomination’s Missions Director asked whether I would consider stepping into the pastorate at this struggling church. I reluctantly agreed to visit with an “open mind.” But at my first sight of every wooden pew and plastic flower bouquet that adorned the sanctuary platform, I quickly dismissed the pastoral position. However, God still had his foot wedged in the door and six months later, I agreed to meet with the church’s board.
During the interview the five elderly board members’ faces looked war-torn. Seeking some reason why I might join their plight, I asked, “What’s next for this church?” One deep, male voice broke through the silence and with confidence said, “The Holy Spirit is not through with us.” His answer gripped my heart; I believed along with this man that God was still moving in their midst. So, in November 2003, I became their pastor.
But from the first time I stepped behind the large, wooden pulpit, I began to butt heads with some folks in the church body. Every time I tried to make a change—such as moving the “great, white Bible” from the altar, I stepped into sacred territory. Desperate to discover something radical, I even tried out a few funky techniques I had read about. We hosted a coffee-house style evening, complete with dim lighting, candles, and emo-type band. The whole endeavor flopped with a thud, and I was back at square one. So I prayed…and prayed…and prayed. And when I had finished, I prayed some more.
Our sweet and supportive church treasurer, Bonnie, suggested that the church buy a house, in which my family and I could live and the church could worship. Although the idea was fraught with potential problems, her proposal got me thinking. I went online and Googled the words “house” and “church.” A new world exploded in front of me. The more I read and researched about house churches in America, the more convinced I became that God was moving behind the scenes—and I was terrified.
In September 2004, five congregation members agreed to attend a house church conference with me in Denver, CO. After every seminar and assembly, their cry became, “We HAVE to do this!” So without a clear roadblock from the five, I proposed to the board the idea of leaving the building to begin meeting in houses.
Surprisingly, they, too, seemed to like the idea. Our little congregation agreed. Over the next four months, we prayed, fasted, researched, and dreamed together about what a house church model might look like. The congregation members went from “Don’t you dare get rid of the plastic flowers” to “Let’s change it all.”
The congregation radically voted to leave the building and we became The Well, a community of house churches. We adopted our new name immediately—even before we left our building—and began to make preparations to ditch the concrete. Finally, on a Sunday morning in January of 2005, The Well met in its building for the last time. We stepped out over the threshold…and never looked back.
Although bold and terrifying, leaving our building behind began our journey of discovering what the Church is really all about. Along the way, we have learned that everything a “normal” church does—missions, study, growth, evangelism, and so on—we can do together, because a change of venue does not negate the responsibilities and privileges we share with any other church. Daily, God continues to transform us…and He’s not done with us yet.
What about you?
Do you believe the Holy Spirit is still moving in your midst? While God does not lead everyone down the same path, His desire for you to be an active member of His Body remains the same. Could something as simple as a building be standing in the way of your becoming the living, breathing Body of Christ? Is it time for you to strip down to the bare essentials and become the Church all over again?
If so, we invite you to join us on this journey and leave the building.
JOIN US FOR MOMENTUM 2012 ON MARCH 30 & 31. REGISTER TODAY>
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
NEXT HOUSE CHURCH 101 CLASS - SAT. MAY 2ND
Registration is FREE* (Must RSVP) by email at OCHOUSECHURCH@GMAIL.COM
HOUSE CHURCH 101
Saturday, May 2nd from 10am to 11:30am
In Orange, CA
Learn more about the House Church experience and how you can start your own house church, or join an existing one, here in Orange County, California.
This FREE seminar will explore several aspects of house church including:
*Is House Church Biblical?
*What about the kids?
*Who's in charge? (Leadership in a typical house church)
*What about Spiritual Covering?*Guarding against heretical doctrines and keeping the faith.
*Food, fellowship, family and fun in the house church context.
*God's Amazing DNA For His Church.
TO RSVP FOR THIS SPECIAL SEMINAR PLEASE EMAIL US AT mailto: OCHOUSECHURCH@GMAIL.COM
Let us know how many will be attending and we'll send you a map and more information about the "House Church 101" class.
NOTE: Attendees will also receive a free kit of information including books, messages on CD and more.
HOUSE CHURCH 101
Saturday, May 2nd from 10am to 11:30am
In Orange, CA
Learn more about the House Church experience and how you can start your own house church, or join an existing one, here in Orange County, California.
This FREE seminar will explore several aspects of house church including:
*Is House Church Biblical?
*What about the kids?
*Who's in charge? (Leadership in a typical house church)
*What about Spiritual Covering?*Guarding against heretical doctrines and keeping the faith.
*Food, fellowship, family and fun in the house church context.
*God's Amazing DNA For His Church.
TO RSVP FOR THIS SPECIAL SEMINAR PLEASE EMAIL US AT mailto: OCHOUSECHURCH@GMAIL.COM
Let us know how many will be attending and we'll send you a map and more information about the "House Church 101" class.
NOTE: Attendees will also receive a free kit of information including books, messages on CD and more.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Looking To Start or Join a House Church in Orange County?
Looking to Visit or Join?
There are several great house church groups in Orange County you can visit. Start by looking through the links at the left. The Well, Vineyard Community Mission Network, The Mission and Matthew's House (in Oceanside) are all great house church fellowships who would love to welcome you.
Looking to Start a House Church In Orange County?
We also have a wealth of resources available for free here at OCHouseChurch.com. Great articles by practitioners like Frank Viola, Keith Giles, W.C. Ketcherside and others will help you answer practical questions like "What do we do with the children?", "What is House Church?", "Why House Church?", "What about leadership and tithing?" and lots more.
If you need any help answering a question or finding a house church in your area, OR if you know of a house church in Orange County that we should be listing here, please contact us at
OCHOUSECHURCH@GMAIL.COM
Blessings!
There are several great house church groups in Orange County you can visit. Start by looking through the links at the left. The Well, Vineyard Community Mission Network, The Mission and Matthew's House (in Oceanside) are all great house church fellowships who would love to welcome you.
Looking to Start a House Church In Orange County?
We also have a wealth of resources available for free here at OCHouseChurch.com. Great articles by practitioners like Frank Viola, Keith Giles, W.C. Ketcherside and others will help you answer practical questions like "What do we do with the children?", "What is House Church?", "Why House Church?", "What about leadership and tithing?" and lots more.
If you need any help answering a question or finding a house church in your area, OR if you know of a house church in Orange County that we should be listing here, please contact us at
OCHOUSECHURCH@GMAIL.COM
Blessings!
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
HOUSE CHURCH 101 - THIS SATURDAY
Registration is FREE* (Must RSVP) by email at OCHOUSECHURCH@GMAIL.COM
HOUSE CHURCH 101
Saturday, Feb. 7th
10am to 11:30am
In Orange, CA
Learn more about the House Church experience and how you can start your own house church, or join an existing one, here in Orange County, California.
This FREE seminar will explore several aspects of house church including:
*Is House Church Biblical?
*What about the kids?
*Who's in charge? (Leadership in a typical house church)
*What about Spiritual Covering?
*Guarding against heretical doctrines and keeping the faith.
*Food, fellowship, family and fun in the house church context.
*God's Amazing DNA For His Church.
TO RSVP FOR THIS SPECIAL SEMINAR PLEASE EMAIL US AT mailto:ATOCHOUSECHURCH@GMAIL.COM
Let us know how many will be attending and we'll send you a map and more information about the "House Church 101" class.
HOUSE CHURCH 101
Saturday, Feb. 7th
10am to 11:30am
In Orange, CA
Learn more about the House Church experience and how you can start your own house church, or join an existing one, here in Orange County, California.
This FREE seminar will explore several aspects of house church including:
*Is House Church Biblical?
*What about the kids?
*Who's in charge? (Leadership in a typical house church)
*What about Spiritual Covering?
*Guarding against heretical doctrines and keeping the faith.
*Food, fellowship, family and fun in the house church context.
*God's Amazing DNA For His Church.
TO RSVP FOR THIS SPECIAL SEMINAR PLEASE EMAIL US AT mailto:ATOCHOUSECHURCH@GMAIL.COM
Let us know how many will be attending and we'll send you a map and more information about the "House Church 101" class.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
"House Church 101" - Registration Now Open
"House Church 101"
Saturday, October 4th
10am to 11:30am
at Triangle Square in Costa Mesa, CA
Registration is FREE* (Must RSVP)
Join us at Triangle Square to learn more about the House Church experience and how you can start your own house church, or join an existing one, here in Orange County, California.
This seminar will explore several aspects of house church including:
*Is House Church Biblical?
*What about the kids?
*Who's in charge? (Leadership in a typical house church)
*What about Spiritual Covering?
*Guarding against heretical doctrines and keeping the faith.
*Food, fellowship, family and fun in the house church context.
*God's Amazing DNA For His Church.
TO RSVP FOR THIS SPECIAL SEMINAR PLEASE EMAIL US AT
OCHOUSECHURCH@GMAIL.COM
Let us know how many will be attending and we'll send you a map and more information about the "House Church 101" class.
Our "House Church 101" class will be lead by Pastor Keith Giles, founder of "The Mission" house church in Orange, California and the author of the books, "The Gospel: For Here Or To Go?" and "Nobody Follows Jesus (So Why Should You?)".
Saturday, October 4th
10am to 11:30am
at Triangle Square in Costa Mesa, CA
Registration is FREE* (Must RSVP)
Join us at Triangle Square to learn more about the House Church experience and how you can start your own house church, or join an existing one, here in Orange County, California.
This seminar will explore several aspects of house church including:
*Is House Church Biblical?
*What about the kids?
*Who's in charge? (Leadership in a typical house church)
*What about Spiritual Covering?
*Guarding against heretical doctrines and keeping the faith.
*Food, fellowship, family and fun in the house church context.
*God's Amazing DNA For His Church.
TO RSVP FOR THIS SPECIAL SEMINAR PLEASE EMAIL US AT
OCHOUSECHURCH@GMAIL.COM
Let us know how many will be attending and we'll send you a map and more information about the "House Church 101" class.
Our "House Church 101" class will be lead by Pastor Keith Giles, founder of "The Mission" house church in Orange, California and the author of the books, "The Gospel: For Here Or To Go?" and "Nobody Follows Jesus (So Why Should You?)".
Thursday, August 28, 2008
So, You Want To Start A House Church?
Welcome to the Orange County House Church Network.
If you're interested in finding out more about House Churches, please contact us at OCHouseChurch@gmail.com and let us know. We'd be happy to help you find a local house church family to connect with or show you how to start your very own house church in your community.
If you're interested in finding out more about House Churches, please contact us at OCHouseChurch@gmail.com and let us know. We'd be happy to help you find a local house church family to connect with or show you how to start your very own house church in your community.
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