Tag: house church
Must Women be Silent in Church Meetings?
Does the Bible teach that women must be silent during church meetings? Few topics can stir up as much emotional response among Christians as that of gender roles within the church. In this article, we examine what the Scriptures teach regarding women’s participation in church assemblies.
Four Childhood Experiences That Fueled My Desire for Participatory Church
The following is an excerpt from my e-book House Church Reflections, which you can download free here. … As I reflect on my childhood, I recall four experiences which planted seeds in my heart which contributed to my desire to help start a house church. First, I remember participating with a group of Christians from south…
Why the Phrase “The Church In…” isn’t Always Clear in Scripture
In the New Testament, when you read the phrase “the church in,” what do you think about? A specific assembly of Christians meeting in a certain place? Or the segment of Jesus’ body that was living in a specific town or region (regardless of where they assembled)? In the post “Separating What is from What…
Separating What is from What Should Be (The Problem with Modern “Christianity”)
Do you find it difficult to translate what you read in Scripture into modern Christendom filled with denominations? I think this process—I refer to the process as “separating what is from what should be”—is one of the most challenging aspects of being a Christian today. When we read the New Testament, Christianity seems so clear…
3 Benefits from Participatory Church Meetings (Why Mutual Participation Works)
In my post entitled “The Formula for Spiritual Growth,” I explained how participation is a key component in our spiritual growth. Why do participatory church meetings work? What makes participating in church assemblies more effective than sitting silently? What is the desired outcome of “church?” Too infrequently do Christians pause and consider this question. The…
Why It’s Important to Confess Sin (Practicing Real, Authentic Confession)
Confession is a big deal to GOD. In fact, GOD says that in order to have our sins forgiven, the Christian must confess his sins to GOD. 8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and…
Want to be Closer to GOD? (Start with what it means to worship)
Do you want to grow in your relationship with GOD? Would you like to be closer to GOD? The starting point is an accurate understanding of what it means to worship. Worship is such a frequently used word, yet nobody stops to define. What does worship mean according to the Bible? (Hint: It isn’t showing…
How to Improve Your Church’s Health (Using a Church Checkup)
Want to help your church become more effective? Here’s how. For the past two Sundays, I have led our church in an exercise we have come to call a “church checkup.” One of the blessings of small(er) churches is that you can legitimately get feedback from every person on a regular basis and include everyone…