HOME CHURCH

Home Church Structure.

• MUSLIM CHURCHES STARTING
• HYMNS CHINESE
• UNDERGROUND
• HOME CHURCH
• EARLY CHURCH
• EX GANGSTER CHURCH
• UNDERGROUND 2
• REMNANT CHURCH
• ARABIA SECRET CHURCHES
• MAKING DISCIPLES
• UNDERGROUND CHURCHES
• THE RIGHT CHURCH

GATHERING OF BELIEVERS

Home church and original structure in the Book of Acts, empowered by Holy Spirit and the fastest growing gathering of believers in the world. This home church in Canada is called iYeshua to remind people that we are to imitate Yeshua (Jesus).

BACKGROUND

What is a Home Church?

The church ISN’T a building, the church is a gathering of Believers in Christ (Matt. 18:19).  The reason we meet in homes is to follow the example of the early church.   Home churches are not part of a denomination and are completely self-autonomous under Christ and Him alone.  They are not against other Christian gatherings but support them in prayer and finances.  

What is the objective?

It is NOT to be like a traditional church, it is NOT to focus on increasing “numbers”, it is NOT to focus on “the building”, it is NOT a social gathering.  It is NOT to focus on staying forever, but for them to go out, take what they have learned and help others.  The main focus is to make disciples of Yeshua – in Holiness and winning the Lost through the Power of God. 

Why Gather in Homes?

The main purpose is accountability – as it is not easy to hide or slip through the cracks.  People get to know each other on a personal level during the service and fellowship after.  Thereby it fosters a closer relationship of love and caring for another.   

What about Accountability (leadership)?

The head is Yeshua and all are accountable to Him.  The leaders are men who manage their family well (1 Tim. 3). Passionate for what Christ (Messiah) has done and share the good news.  They have the fruit of Christ in their life. Such as, follow the commandments (1 Cor. 7:19), spend intimate time with God through, prayer, fasting and His word (Acts 6:4).  They walk in power (1 Cor. 4:19-20). And are not focused on money or buildings!  

They work to supply their family’s needs and are in touch with the world around them.  As a result they may receive a financial benefit from the group but it is not mandatory or something they expect. Nor is it something they depend on to live nor keep the gathering from meeting. 

Tithing is Biblical but it is not necessary to tithe the full amount to the home church.  We believe in giving the Tithe and offerings where the Lord directs people as the store house is the universal body of Christ. It is specifically given to those who are sharing the word of God with others.  The leaders teach, exhort and rebuke if need be.  When required, they are bold enough to make tough decisions to protect the gathering (e.g. 1 Cor. 5:1-7) and remove people if required.  The leaders are ultimately servants of God and thereby of their brothers and sisters in the group.  

Who is part of home church?

People who are passionate for Yeshua; have a desire to reveal Him to others; and to their children.  They acknowledge that God’s Word is the overriding authority and are prepared to sacrifice their traditions and lifestyle to do what He said (2 Tim. 3:16).  The Media is not their god thereby they try to set their mind on things above and not on things of this world.

Why Home Church vs. Traditional Church?

To line up with the Book of Acts, to drive true accountability, to love one another beyond surface hello, to help focus our finances and effort in the right areas (not building or programs or entertainment).  We encourage children to be an active part of it by listening and asking questions.  Those who are too young will play in the adjacent room with one of their parents.  Everyone has the freedom to ask any question in order to drive unity and growth.  Due to the persecutions, gatherings historically were not open to the public but by invitation only.  They met in homes.

• Acts 8:3 – As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison
• Rom. 16:5 – Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who is the first fruits of Achaia to Christ.
• 1 Cor. 16:19 – The churches of Asia greet you. Aquila and Priscilla greet you heartily in the Lord, with the church that is in their house.
• Col. 4:15 – Greet the brethren who are in Laodicea, and Nymphas and the church that is in his house.

 Church leaders talk about the early church

• Ernest Loosley, When The Church Was Young “When the church was very young, it had no buildings. Let us begin with that striking fact. That the church had no buildings is the most noticeable of the points of difference between the church of the early days and the church of today. In the minds of most people today, “church” means first a building, probably something else second; but seldom does “the church” stand for anything other than a building. Yet here is the fact with which we start: the early church possessed no buildings and carried on its work for a great many years without erecting any.”

 

• Francis Schaeffer, The Church at the End of the Twentieth Century “There is no biblical norm as to where, and where not, the church should meet. The central fact is that the early concept of the church had no connection with a church building. The church was something else: a group of Christians drawn together by the Holy Spirit in a place where they worked together in a certain form…”

Final Thoughts on Home Churches vs Buildings

• Howard A. Snyder, The Problem of Wineskins “Theologically, the church does not need temples. Church buildings are not essential to the true nature of the church. For the meaning of the tabernacle is God’s habitation, and God already dwells within the human community of Christian believers. The people are the temple and the tabernacle… Thus, theologically church buildings are superfluous. They are not needed for priestly functions because all believers are priests and all have direct access, at whatever time and place, to the one great high priest. A church building cannot properly be “the Lord’s house” because in the new covenant this title is reserved for the church as people (Eph. 2; 1 Tim. 3:15; Heb. 10:21). A church building cannot be a “holy place” in any special sense, for holy places no longer exist. Christianity has no holy places, only holy people.”

PEOPLE 

GATHERING SIZE

• There is really no limit, however for a home church, the suggestion is 3 to 70 people.  The leader facilitates discussion and ensures those who are quiet have a voice.  
• Children attend – all ages.

ELDERS (Only):

• Imitate Yeshua by living Holy lives and winning the lost though the power of God.
• Develop other leaders by being an example of Yeshua.
• Leaders/Elders don’t be afraid to shut a discussion down, or change direction.
• Focus more on encouraging than correcting each other.
• Bring in guest speakers.
• Scripture is the foundation not feelings.  We keep discussions on scripture and not what this or that person said.
• Encourage diversity in how to do something.  Understand that people come from different backgrounds (institutional, cultural, history, nationalities etc.).
• Encourage people that doing the scripture carries more weight than knowing it.
• Encourage people to put themselves in the scripture when they read it.
• Drive unity: Encourage people to pray together, spending time in His word, fasting together and doing what Yeshua said.
• Remember that Yeshua is the Shepherd not the Elders.  The elders are to protect, care for and feed the people. They don’t own them.  

HOME 

DIGITAL:

• Use Skype to connect various home churches or people or speakers from various locations. Those who are local should attend in person.
• Large TV connected to PC.
• Webcam with built in microphone for example Logitech BBC950 Conference Camera so that someone in the group can control the cam during the service.
• Probably no more than 5 locations (excl. main) as impacts quality— unless one has a large band width.
• High Speed Requirements for “Hosting Home” Min. requirements 3MB+ upload and 25MB+ download speed.
• If you decide to use wireless, ensure the signal strength is good to excellent.  Thereby also ensuring that others are not connecting to the wireless as it impacts the bandwidth.
• Have E-Sword application on the computer in order to present the Bible on screen when need be.

LAYOUT:

Ideally have chairs in a u-shape, NOT rows.

LOGISTICS

FACILITATOR

• Elder (s)
• One person to manage IT & Skype camera panning.

TIME:

The Gathering can be held any day and any time, however the following guiding principles:

• 2-3 hours.
• Gather on the Sabbath but not limiting it to gathering only on this day.
• Encourage fellowship, with food following and allow flexibility of one-to-one discussions. The food isn’t mandatory, and only those who WANT or CAN bring are encouraged to bring.  
• Those who can’t stay for fellowship are welcome to leave after the service.  
• Once a month or a week fast as a group so no food on that day.

AGENDA

There isn’t any specific agenda, allow Holy Spirit to lead.  DON’T formulate an agenda!  Here are some suggestions only – may do one or all or none:

• Confession of sins (James 5:16).
• Testimonies of what the Lord is doing.
• Read and study Scripture.
• Discuss topic.
• Q&A.
• Show inspiring video footage from other preachers or a situation.
• Lord’s Supper.
• Praising.
• Prayer time for one another.

PHYSICAL FOOD

• We eat what God tells us to eat – so no blood or raw meat, shellfish, pork, tuna etc.
• We don’t buy anything on the Sabbath.

CHILDREN

• Parents are responsible for their children, mindful that all will lend a hand but it shouldn’t be expected. 
• If child is disruptive or not showing respect or reverence to God, the expectations are that the parent(s) remove the child and resolve the issue with them.  If not, the leader is obligated to resolve either with the parent or the child.

OUTREACH 

BY INVITATION (not open to the public)

Understand that not anyone can attend, it is by invitation only. Therefore the early Church was somewhat selective as to who could join them because of the wolves among the sheep.  It should be people who are like minded, people who have a common passion for revealing Christ to the world and doing what Yeshua commanded.  They desire all that God has given them, including the spiritual gifts, in order to help others. The gathering of believers can recommend people to the elders.  

The home church will grow organically by the new relationships and connections with individuals and friends.  The focus isn’t growth but discipleship, growth will be a byproduct or going out to start other home churches.  Here are some questions to ask believers: 

• Why do you want to be a part of it?
• What does the blood of Yeshua do for you?
• Do you know Holy Spirit?
• What is the good news?
• Do you pursue love and desire spiritual gifts?
• Do you love the word of God (the Bible) above tradition?
• What are you doing for the Kingdom of God?

FOCUSING ON KEY FUNDAMENTALS (DOCTRINE)