| A Word of Caution
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. 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. Beware of the man who says he has found it. 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". 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 (CCC, IVCF, Navigators,etc.), various church groups (Baptist, Non-denominational, Pentecostal, 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? A spirit of humility is needed to appreciate the beautiful variety within the Body of Christ. 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;... 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 fulfill a specific purpose in His Kingdom. We need to focus on that purpose for our church 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. Although in China, the former Soviet Union and Muslim countries, it has obviously been the primary way of extending the Kingdom of God, it is still an open question 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. Back |