Key Principles

Chapter 1

A Word Of Caution

We have embarked upon a great adventure: the house church and its related Fellowships. We find it exhilarating with all its volatility, which also often fills us with fear (That's part of exhilaration, isn't it?). But the question arises, how do we view those who are not partakers with us in the adventure?

We get so caught up in the exhilaration that we sometimes try to convert everyone to our methods! Scripture demands no hard and fast structure for church life. The very fact that so many forms of church life have existed from the early church to the present testifies to the many ways Scripture can be interpreted with respect to church structure and the multifaceted wisdom of God (Ephesians 3:10) can be revealed through His church. Someone has suggested that those looking for the "truly Biblical Church" are like a man in a dark room looking for a black cat that does not exist. We appreciate the many benefits we find in the house church model, but we realize that's all they are, and there are liabilities as well. (These liabilities are explained later.)

We may be persuaded that the house church model is more effective for growth and reproduction in our particular place and time than conventional church structures. But that does not necessarily mean it is "more Biblical" and certainly not that it is “right”. The fact that the house church has been virtually non-existent in some societies and ages shows that God works through many different models of church life. We need to be tolerant of others even as we pursue the path in which God has led us. He uses many avenues and instruments to build his Kingdom. Para-church groups ( such as Campus Crusade for Christ, Intervarsity Christian Fellowship, Navigators, etc), various church denominations (Baptist, Anglican, Assembly of God, etc.), and mission agencies, are all used by God to accomplish his complex purposes. He is so creative! Who are we to judge his instruments? We have found it is hard enough to keep ourselves on the road He has called us without judging others who may be on parallel roads. A spirit of humility is needed to appreciate the beautiful variety within the Body of Christ (Cf. I Corinthians 4:6).

In Community and Growth, Jean Vanier exhorts us:

"Once it (a church community) has found its own identity and discovered how the Holy Spirit is guiding it, it must be very attentive to the manifestations of the Spirit in others. It should not believe that it is the only community to have the privilege of being inspired by the Holy Spirit;...

One of the signs of life in a community is the creation of links with others. An inward-looking community will die of suffocation. Living communities are linked to others, making up a huge reservoir of love for the world....It is a sign of maturity for a community to bind itself in friendship with others; it knows its own identity, so it doesn't need to make comparisons. It loves even the differences which distinguish it, because each community had its own gift which must flourish. These communities are complementary; they need each other. They are all branches of that unique community which is the church, the mystical body of Christ. He is the vine of which the communities are branches. I am always amazed by the multiplicity of communities which exist....Some are within the churches; others are outside any institution, bringing together young people with prophetic institution who are looking for a new way of life. All these communities are part of the vast invisible church. Each is unique." p.85,86

I Cor. 12:18 states: "But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired." God has gifted every believer and placed him/her in the body to accomplish His purposes. The context of this passage teaches that we should not be arrogant because of our place. This was a problem with the Corinthians (I Cor. 3:1-3, 11:18).

God also calls each church to fulfil a specific purpose in his Kingdom. We need to focus on that purpose and fulfill it, without comparing the calling of our church to another's (Cf John 21:20-22). If we can help and encourage others in their calling, let us do so without pushing them to take up ours!

May God grant us the grace and humility to accept one another! May we repent of any arrogance regarding the house church! It is only part of God's plan, no matter how attractive it is to us. May God help us to "esteem others (other groups) greater than ourselves!" (Philippians 2:3)

Historically and around the world today, the house church movement has been making great contributions. In China, the former Soviet Union and Muslim countries, it has obviously been the primary way of extending the Kingdom of God, but it is still an open question as the impact God will allow it to have in the Western world. You may face criticism from other Christians as you pursue this path, so you need to go often to Jesus, the Man of Humility, to learn to repay criticisms with blessings.

Key Principles:

1. There is no such thing as The Biblical church.

2. Different models of church are good for different purposes.

3. We need to follow our calling and bless others as they follow their’s. Romans 14

Questions for further thought

1. Is the House Church model "more biblical" than other models of church life?

2. What should be our attitude toward others as we try to extend His Kingdom? Look at 1 Corinthians 3-4:5. What are the dangers in diversity? Which might you be susceptible to?

3. What are some ways we can seek mutual encouragement and cooperation of other Churches and other Christians?