Thoughts on Home Church

The biggest hurdle to be crossed in a house church meeting is awkwardness. When we think of church, we think worship music and preaching. The problem within a home church is that these things are really quite uncomfortable in small groups of people, and especially when most people are out of practice or inexperienced.

Most people are not virtuoso singers and would rather not sing out loud without their voice being drowned out by a large sound system. It is also an awkward experience to preach or listen to someone else preach in a group where everyone knows one another and sees each other as equals. And with these two major church experiences being cast out there really doesn't seem like there is much substance in gathering.

Other house church organizers talk about eating together; centering the gathering on a meal. I find this to be a helpful idea. Fellowship is one of the most important things to find in a church, but I know that my friends and I can be quite skilled at avoiding any kind of real conversation. For this reason, a creative alternative is needed.

Lately, I've wondered what is really meant by the new testament's exhortation to not forsake meeting together. Does it really mean go to church every Sunday for worship and preaching and, for the most part, pay little to no attention to those seated next to you? I find little reason to continue with that process.

I know I have relationships that are meaningful and deep. We encourage, listen, and live life with one another. Are these things enough to constitute "not forsaking assembly." I get the feeling in my gut saying "almost." In the sentence just before that Hebrews passage we read, "let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds." In other places, such as Acts 2, the Lord's Supper is an important part of meeting together. It seems, then, to meet without that meeting being centered in Christ in some way, misses the point.

Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. We will want to fall back on our fail-safes of preaching and singing. These things, as well as being awkward in intimate settings, really are not as life giving as we might want to believe. What I mean to say is that it is not the act of singing or the listening to preaching that gives life. It is the work of the Holy Spirit inside the anticipating heart. How then can we create a place where we are fully open to the Spirit?

I believe sharing a meal is a worthwhile starting place. If we also commit to regular meetings, we show commitment to one another, but is there perhaps another step in maintaining a Christ centered environment. Sharing the Lord's Supper with each other reminds us of our creator and savior.

In this day of superstar preachers and other minor Christian celebrities, perhaps we can understand our forebears liturgy a bit better. Liturgy is supposed to become such a part of us that we can forget about memorizing words and enter into the presence of God. It is a centering piece of Christian worship that allows everyone to enter into unity with each other as well as God. There is no leader who can become the focus over Christ. There is no music to like or dislike. Only a uniting tradition.

Of course it is not as pure as I may make it seem. But perhaps it is a starting place that can cut through awkward singing and preaching. Let us not forsake meeting together. Let us draw near to God in full assurance of faith. Let us figure out how we can most authentically come together under our wonderful creator. What is written here is not prescriptive, but rather inquisitive. It is my own thoughts on my own relationships and how best to center our lives in Christ and to spur each other on toward good deed. God bless you in your journey.