If you study the seasons when the Christian church was advancing or was vibrant, it was mostly during times of opposition or persecution. In those places and periods, the church grew and multiplied; often without formal leadership, without a budget or mission statement, or even the freedom to erect houses of worship in which to assemble or pray.
The fact is, the church of Jesus Christ has flourished most during periods when governments or cultures declared it to be an enemy. I know this to be true because I'm a student of church history. I majored in Missiology. I earned my college degree in that field. I examined church history and know the secrets of church growth. A pattern of gospel expansion has been repeated in many countries successfully, often without Bible Colleges or Seminaries, without professional preachers or salaried pastors, without musicians or stages; without internet, radio, TV, or newspapers.
The church succeeded best when it went underground into people's homes and prayed.
In other words, when the church was behaving as the body of Christ rather than identifying as a building on a street corner, it naturally thrived. Before you assume I'm attacking the church by suggesting this idea, let me say, I love the church. I've given my life promoting the work of Christ in his church. I am trans-denominational and non-sectarian. I don't care what your label is - I care if you love Jesus or not.
One reason churchy people may resent what I'm saying is they feel threatened. They are protective of the present system of "doing church." The modern methodology of church growth involves media promotions, big budgets, hired clergy, loud music, expensive facilities, paid staff, and lay people as spectators donating money so professionals can do the work.
This method is backwards from the New Testament house church.
The model for how to do church in a house (rather than in a dedicated religious facility) is explicitly laid out in the New Testament. It is so obvious once you look for it that you can't miss it. It is a pattern that worked well for the first three hundred years of Christianity. It has worked in China, Colombia, South Korea, and in some instances, in America. Once the church succeeds, however, it drifts back toward a business model with property and fancy meeting places. Unfortunately, it also ceases to reproduce. It chases transfers, not new souls.
The Biblical pattern is for believers to do the work of the ministry; not paid preachers. It would be fun for me to lay out some of the Bible verses on this and examine their application for us, but that would require a full Bible study - too detailed for a brief newspaper article.
The church that meets in a home can be a biblical model of how Christians can organize themselves so as to bear more fruit as they follow Jesus together. It can also be immensely gratifying, practical, and intensely spiritual. It can certainly be orthodox in the way it handles creating Christian culture, making disciples out of converts, assimilating new believers, providing hospitality, raising kids, and showing acts of mercy. It can help the poor or do missions by dedicating finances to gospel outreach rather than to bricks and buildings.
I don't know of any more wholesome or effective way to live, to learn the word of God and love each other, than by meeting in one another's homes. This is how we can practice our faith.
-- Ron Wood is a writer and minister. Email him at [email protected] or visit www.touchedbygrace.org. The opinions expressed are those of the author.
Editorial on 08/15/2018