We have been gathering as a “house church”/’simple church”/organic church” expression since 2009. We have had larger and smaller iterations. Meeting on Saturday evening for years, and the last few years on Sunday morning. All gatherings get underway with sharing a meal (our version of the Passover celebration/Lord’s supper to remember all He has done for us, and to see Him in the midst of us now still doing what He did in and with His disciples — too much to go into at the moment) and some lighter conversation and fellowship of the LORD and of each other. That generally leads us into deeper edification of one another and sharing. And, often there may be prayer and some praise as well. However, nothing is formatted or set in stone outside of beginning with a meal and some fellowship. Initially, in early years we were somewhat more teaching and “gifts” and “worship music” focused. But lately the focus is more simply a sharing of each member’s heart and what the LORD may be showing them, and encouraging and building up one another, as we wait upon and look to, the administration of the Spirit under the direction of our Head, Jesus.
We have been doing this as long, and perhaps longer, in one place than almost any other such gathering I know of. That certainly does not make us anything special. And, of course, people have come and gone, as is the nature of our culture, but there has been a core of many that have been a part for most of the time. This longevity has taught us, however, a bit about the form, and the function, of a local expression of ekklesia.
I write all this just as an overview to say that, although I am convinced that meeting in small groups in homes is the New Testament model from the Gospels. And, that an apology (in the apologia/defense sense of the word) of that model could certainly be substantiated in any in depth study of Acts and the epistles. I am also convinced that there is no magic in it alone. By that I mean to say that the form is no better than any other, if the function it is meant to support does not develop in those gathering
What is that function? Simply stated: to become what Ephesians 1:23 calls… His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. The Body, The Bride, The Temple are significant spiritual analogies we find from Genesis to Revelation applied to God’s redeemed and chosen people. But as we consider being His Body, the fullness of HIm who fills all in all, and look at instructions from Jesus in the Gospels to those that followed Him, and instruction through Acts and the epistles, we discover that this Body is really simply a Community of Servants (to coin a term from Art Mealer, one amongst our number of late ). Without any being forced, or under compulsory obligations enforced by, any hierarchical leadership of men, and with none being driven by the need to prove worth and righteousness by works, we love and serve one another. And, that love and service of one another manifests His love and Lordship to each other and others. We are simply responding in obedience to our God, and our Head, Jesus’, command and directions to love and serve. We do so as the Spirit in us administrates His direction and enables us in vertical relationships where we stand on equal ground, bound by, and to, our love, service, and care for and to one another (again not in any way compelled out of fear, or being forced, or works to earn favor).
Now we could spend pages discussing the ways and means of moving in acts and attitudes of love and service to the household of the faith, as well as the world around us, at His direction. But, let it suffice here, and for today, to say our gatherings form will be a failure whether it be in a living or dining room with a small intimate group, or in a mega-building with steeple stretching heavenward with thousands, if our function, functioning together, isn’t focused on 1) Jesus. His Lordship, His preeminence, His life, death, and resurrection, His Kingdom. And, 2) actively serving and loving in ways that are mutually edifying/building up one another in Him. This requires each one to take their place in Him, in His Body, and be active participating in this process of building up one another. Yes, in what we share of our wisdom or knowledge of and from Him with words. But, also in service and love in deeds as well. Again, all under His direction.
I, personally, do believe the model we follow in form, as a “house church”, best supports that edification, love, and service in vertical relationships in Him. However, the function of loving one another as a community of servants far outweighs the form alone. If that is missing, I am afraid we will fall far short of manifesting Jesus as His body, the fullness of Him that fills all in all. Let us gather… to function …purposed in heart and Spirit to love, edify, and serve one another.
[John 15:12-17 NASB95] 12 “This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. 13 “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. 14 “You are My friends if you do what I command you. 15 “No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you. 16 “You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and [that] your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you. 17 “This I command you, that you love one another.
[1Corinthians 14:26 NASB95] 26 What is [the outcome] then, brethren? When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.
[Galatians 6:9-10 NASB95] 9 Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. 10 So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.
[Ephesians 1:18-23 NASB95] 18 [I pray that] the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. [These are] in accordance with the working of the strength of His might 20 which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly [places,] 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22 And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.