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How To Have Church At Home

11/27/2011

19 Comments

 
How To Have Church
Church Is Like A Potluck!
__ Most of us in America share a similar church experience, don't we? We understand gathering in a building on Sunday mornings, singing songs picked out by a praise leader, getting the latest announcements, passing an offering basket, listening to preaching from the same person or people, concluding in prayer and going home. Except for some denominational differences, church size and multimedia bells and whistles, this is the general church pattern.

But isn't it interesting that there is no such checklist taught in the scriptures? This plan was developed and perfected by men generations ago and, for better or worse, we've been running with it ever since.


_ One of the first questions about how to have church at home is how does it work? What does church in a house look like? How much should we change and what should we keep the same?

If you're reading about how to have church at home, then you're already thinking outside of the traditional box. Allow me to suggest this: Keep going! Be open to leaving traditions and habits behind in favor of the liberty found in the scriptures. Since the Bible doesn't give us a step by step church program, how about we not create one either? In fact, let's focus on “Family” not “Program.”

Jesus didn't give outlines and the apostles didn't teach on how to run a church meeting. Church is all about God's people coming together in the name of the Lord to worship Christ and to edify one another. The number of ways that can happen are countless. There are however, elements we can pull together from the Bible on how to please God and make the most of our time when we do come together as a church. Here are a few suggestions:

First, come prepared. Do you pray before the church meets together? Do you have a sense of expectation? Spending some time in prayer before church is a great way to prepare your mind and heart for what God wants to do.

Consider starting with praise. Psalm 100:4 says, Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

King David said, “I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.” Are we glad when we gather together with the household of God? We should be. Let's offer up praise and speak out our thanksgiving when we gather in his name. Singing songs, shouting praises, and clapping hands are all biblical ways to give glory to God.

Then what? Again, there is no set plan, but here's what Paul wrote to the church at Corinth: How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.

(1 Corinthians 14:26)

Church is the body of Christ and every one of us are members of that body. We like to have full use of our bodies; so does Christ. Everyone of us should come prepared to take part whether it's sharing a testimony to God's goodness, a short teaching or doctrine, a special song, a word in tongues followed by interpretation, etc., Share life situations, ask for prayer and wisdom and expect God to move. The end goal should be full participation so that everyone is edified, rather than one person preaching to everyone else week after week. Allow room for everyone to share something and watch how God uses everyone - including you!

To me, church is like a potluck. Everyone brings something that compliments what others have brought. Some bring main dishes, others bring sides and desserts. All the elements form a complete meal and no one person is responsible for everything. If we gather together with the understanding that it's God's church and not our program, then we'll be more focused on God having his way with his people. Sometimes that means I'll be teaching today...or that I'll be listening. Either way is fine with me because I've learned to check my ego and agenda at the door. It's not about me; it's about us together.

Finally, church is a family. It's not a weekly event. How many perfect families do you know? I'll bet not many. Every family has a their celebrities and “interesting” aunts and uncles. They all have their sweet fathers and overly organized mothers. Let's give out as much grace as we want in return and realize that church isn't "perfect" now but an ongoing work in progress.

I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
(Ephesians 4:1-3)

Learning how to have church at home involves lots of love and endurance. One gathering may be vastly different from another, but each time can be a great learning and growing experience. Be open to everything that doesn't go against the Word of God. Meet in different houses, meet at the park, go to the beach! Sing with music or a capella. Meeting around a kitchen table works for some but the living room might be more comfortable. Share a meal, consider having soft instrumental music playing in the background or enjoy the sunshine in your back yard. Don't feel like it has to be a certain way every time or that it should resemble a denominational church service. Be the church God wants you to be and grow together. Dress comfortably, relax about how long things go, and enjoy each other!

Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
(Ephesians 2:19-22)

19 Comments
Ben Monteith
12/5/2011 10:48:57 pm

Excellent article! Thankyou.
I am reminded that Jesus said: "for where two or three are gathered together,there am I in the midst. . ." A "pastor/bishop" is not requisite for Christ to be in the center of a fellowship gathering. Talking about body parts; I describe an institutional church meeting as: the big mouth behind the pulpit, and the pews filled with big ears. What a goofy, and disfunctional, looking body!
Thankyou for the encouragement!
Your brother, and sister, in Christ,
Ben and Karla Monteith.

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Pastor Richard D Floyd Sr link
5/2/2015 07:46:36 am

I DON'T SELL GOD'S WORD, I PREACH IT !!! Someone giving money to help support the ministry is good, but studying the scriptures and then writing it in a book to make money is not scriptural, instead we are to Preach it.
Pastor Richard D Floyd Sr
Wife Danuah E Floyd
Tree Of Life Ministries
Oldhickory Tn. 37138
GLORY Be To GOD the Father and Peace and Grace from our LORD and SAVOUR JESUS CHRIST, Amen.

Reply
Patrick Sipperly link
5/8/2015 01:01:57 am

Hello Richard,

I'm grateful that you preach God's word. That is exactly what Christ commanded his disciples to do. And like you, many of us have taken that to heart. We've preached the same gospel the apostles did as recorded in the book of Acts, without pay or expected reward in homes, across restaurant tables, in elaborate buildings or run down apartment complexes.

Some of us have plied our God given talents into creative avenues of entertainment in addition to straightforward preaching. And without coercion, people from all over the world have traded a few dollars for books that offer them several hours of mental engagement. Imagine that: stories of redemption and hope that glorify God and not the works of the flesh for as little as the price of a good espresso or perhaps more if you want a paperback copy. I call that a bargain.

I can't speak for other writers, but if you're expecting an apology because I ask for payment for the work I put into my books - over and above the free teaching, preaching and ongoing costs to maintain this website that I bare myself - you'll be waiting awhile. Did not Paul tell Timothy, "For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward."?

Angie Hathaway
8/4/2019 06:03:48 am

I am trying church at home for the first time. However, mine is completely alone. I prefer it that way. Just me and God. I am tired of the derogatory statements, the judgement and the drama of traditional church. I just want to be with God and feel his presence. That's all!

Don
4/1/2018 08:38:41 am

I basically agree with everything you said (and it was well said too). The only disagreement would be with your use of Scripture, "for where two or three are gathered, there am I in the midst..." That context is dealing with church discipline. We often see in the Old Testament where a truth was established by two or three witnesses. Jesus was saying that His presence of love and caring would be present in that situation. Actually, Jesus is in our midst, even if there is just one! For the Holy Spirit indwells in each of His believers.

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First Last link
3/14/2021 01:45:25 pm

Matthew 18:20 is in the context of church discipline, not church meetings. #Hermeneutics

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Patrick Sipperly link
12/5/2011 11:36:35 pm

Thanks, Ben & Karla.

Your mouth-ear description is a fair one for sure in many churches. It's the "standard" template we've been handed. But more of us Christians are taking a closer look at our faith and church practices.

Blessings to you both!

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Sermon Illustrations link
7/23/2012 09:45:10 am

"Church is like a potluck." Great analogy. Everybody does bring something. Its amazing how two people can look at exactly the same thing, but see different things. Diversity can be a positive, but only of its encouraged.

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Sebastian link
7/10/2013 07:34:34 am

Hi Patrick! I really enjoyed this article...thank you for it!

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Julianna link
8/9/2013 08:11:04 am

Thank you for this! I really want to have church at my house! I finally have my OWN home and want nothing more than to open it up for fellowship with the brethren! I love to serve people & have been to so many churches. I really hope the Lord makes a way for this all to happen. I don't know many Christian's locally so if anyone is in Long beach, ca or around let's talk about having fellowship!

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queenkriss link
10/23/2013 03:28:02 pm

Lovely blog, thanks for posting.

Reply
Joseph Harrington
10/31/2013 12:43:45 pm

What an on target article. I think that anyone who spends a good deal of time studying and learning and praying within the word of the Lord should be capable of having a Home church service. I wonder how teachings should go, if there are specific guidelines to construct a plan to edify others. I think that You are right about Praise being the center point of the church service and then praying to the Lord Jesus Christ to move through the mighty grace and the Power of the Holy Ghost. I think that people have to agree with just what the Holy Ghost is and then pray for "the peace that passes all understanding" to take shape as a natural course of their Love and Joy in the community where they live. I don't think that You can work without Peace Love and Joy very well anyway, so anything that You can do to increase these Blessings would be the most helpful qualities of a home church service.

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Patrick Sipperly link
11/3/2013 01:22:27 am

Thank you for visiting the site and for commenting, Joseph. I agree with you that we can find our direction in the word and by prayer. I believe there's a reason why we don't see a format for how we should meet together, other than that it should be participatory and edifying. Each church should seek the Lord for direction on how they should go and grow!

Reply
william taylor
11/25/2013 06:36:00 pm

its time the churh wake up and see the the worldliness coming into the churches and the false teachings like karate why does any christian want to learn karate thats what muslims do teach people how to fight the tarboro church of GOD HAS AKARATE CLASS RIGHT THERE IN THE CHURH ITS NOT OF GOD I CAN TELL YOU THAT DOES ANYONE HAVE DISERNMENT IN THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST

Lauren Shehata link
11/17/2014 06:39:43 pm

Thank you for this blog which continues to bear fruit. As the high priest in my home, I struggle to have church services as often as I am allowed. My husband suffers from Islam and is soon to be set free in Jesus Mighty Name. With intention, I do what I can to set up a godly home-paraphrasing the Gospel often in speech, Christian music is softly playing at volume 1 somewhere in the house, and loving ALL despite the anti Christian sentiment. Ignorance doesn't prepare anyone to receive Jesus--But Faith and Love Move Mountains! When home alone, the atmosphere is prepared with praise and worship, for when the praise goes up--the glory comes down!! Hallelujah!! As a temple of the Most High God, we can have church everywhere!!!!! And we should. There are many among us that for varying reasons will not grace the steps of a church building. We are to bring the church to them!! As for me and my House We will serve the Lord!!--in our homes, at work, in the streets, in our prayer closet, in war zones, in our personal vehicles, in dysfunctional family settings than can and will be rearranged by the Lord Himself!

We can and should have church at home, and everywhere else we go too! God uses the foolish to confound the wise--a simple church service could be held say even in a karate meeting!! Who am I to tell God where He can operate? If He can make a donkey speak to a narrow minded prophet, than He can certainly handle a group of kids learning to defend themselves with a Christian flair added to Asian traditions. Hmmmmm....? Who created those Asians anyway...? I digress.

Prayers are welcome from the Body for the salvation of my husband and family. Fighting this beast would be easier with prayerful support from the Body of Christ. Everyone has a story...even the heathen.
In His name, I submit my words...
Lauren

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Pastor Richard D Floyd Sr link
6/4/2015 02:10:06 pm

First of all writing your own book is not needed to Preach the GOSPEL. Because the scriptures are already written. JESUS said ; Go into all the world and preach the GOSPEL to all nations. The only reason books are sold is to make money. GOD'S WORD is not for sell and we are to freely speak with our mouths and call sinners to repentance. All the letters that were written by the Apostles were not sold to the Churches. They were freely given and freely accepted. Not everyone can afford to by books to read. Do not take the WORD Of GOD and use it as a business transaction to make money. I Preach to people and they don't have to pay me no money at all. If a homeless person had to receive the GOSPEL by buying a book, that person wouldn't get to receive the GOSPEL. It cost money to by the book which is not Bible anyway, but thank GOD for the True born again believers who are willing to go into all the world and preach the GOSPEL to all nations.
GLORY BE TO GOD THE ALMIGHTY, AMEN!!! Pastor Richard D Floyd Sr.

Reply
Patrick Sipperly link
6/4/2015 03:09:05 pm

Hi Richard,

I guess I missed the part on the website here that said writing a book is required to preach the gospel. If you find it, please let me know, because I don't recall seeing that.

The gospel of Jesus Christ is preached on this (free) website by audio recording and in text. There are (free) downloadable Bible Studies on this site. Do you remember how much you were charged to visit this website? Have you received an invoice for the (free) advertising of your own name, ministry title, and address?

I get the feeling you're trying to puff yourself up by searching for fault with another ministry. But your accusations are baseless. The gospel is preached freely here. So you might reconsider your words, Brother, lest you be guilty of sowing discord among brethren.

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Loren H. Fabian link
9/21/2017 06:23:36 am

I truely love this idea and have talked with God my whole life but very seldom in a church since I was a child. I am now 68, have a girlfriend who goes to church frequently. Please notify me of any new ideas or updates.

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Nelshim
4/14/2018 01:20:43 am

I’ve truly been having trouble with going church after I stop going a while back. Thank you for this. I’m going to start going church again. This how-to has gotten read of feelings and questions that have been bothering me. So thank so much for writing this.
-Nellie

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