HOUSE CHURCH ARTICLES
Page Two
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A CALL TO REACH OUT TO THE DEAF COMMUNITY
SAMPLE CORE VALUES OF A HOUSE CHURCH MOVEMENT:
GOD'S WAYS ARE HIGHER THAN OUR WAYS:
One Journey in the Direction of House Churches
Lighthouses of Prayer Sample Invitation Letter
House Church Register Opportunity
THE 4H VISION
FOR THE MULTIPLICATION OF
HOUSE CHURCH NETWORKS
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SAMPLE CORE VALUES OF A HOUSE CHURCH MOVEMENT:
By Vinh Nelson - vinhnelsen@yahoo.com
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* The first 9 are adapted from Christian Smith's Going to the Root: 9 Proposals for Radical Church Renewal Waterloo, Ont.: Herald Press, 1992
(1) Build intentional Christian community: make it a priority to build community with discipleship, accountability, commitment and perseverance
(2) Do church without full-time paid, professional clergy: get rid of the profession of full-time clergy and develop groups of elders, and every member in their gifts
(3) Decentralize leadership and decision-making: have plural, nonprofessional church leadership, including females, reach decisions through consensus, and grow through multiplication rather than addition
(4) Open up worship services: have worship that is God-centred, collective, participatory, physically active, Spirit-led and narrative (telling the story of God's redemptive work), tear out pews and pulpits, have seating in a circle, have facilitators, not worship leaders, facilitators sit with the church rather supervising the people, allow flexibility rather than pre-planning be the guide, and forget about dressing up for meetings
(5) Overcome the edifice complex: gather in homes or "secular" venues, use the savings for the poor, don't waste God's money on other church paraphernalia such as pulpits, pews, carpeting, landscaping, lighting, offering plates, choir robes and stained glass
(6) Cultivate a grace-ful spirituality of everyday life: throw out our formulas for God and Christian living (e.g. Basic Youth Conflicts, 4 Spiritual Laws), stop focusing on God's special intervention, but rather focus on spirituality for everyday living: family relations, work, shopping, commuting, etc. (Two excellent books discussing this are Paul Marshall's Heaven Is Not My Home: Learning to Live in God's Creation, Nashville, Tennessee: Word Publishing, 1998, and Robert Banks' Redeeming the Routines: Bringing Theology to Life, Wheaton, Illinois: Victor Books, 1993.
(7) Practice lifestyle evangelism: avoid techniques that trivialize and over-simplify the Gospel, tell people the full truth (that the saved life is not always roses), don't just tell people, but show them through your life, while avoiding works-righteousness (i.e., focussing on your good works rather than on Jesus), be a contrast culture rather than a counter culture, live simply and avoid mass-consumer materialism (that big, popular idol)
(8) Work for social justice: champion the cause of the vulnerable, the marginalized, work for change in institutions that oppress people and mock the Gospel and its values (e.g., as William Carey successfully opposed Sati in India, or 19th century Christians helped abolish slavery), get educated on the root causes of issues before plunging into activism
(9) Do grass-roots ecumenism: avoid setting up your group as the best one, as the "measure of all things", avoid division and sectarianism, seek unity but not uniformity nor relativism, talk to and seek to understand Christians from all traditions, get cross-fertilization from other traditions, love people of all denominations and don't publicly criticize their views unless it is absolutely 100% harmful to the Body of Christ
(10) Use the Five-fold ministries to equip the saints: build up and develop a network of churches by a team of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers (Eph. 4:11), each of them train up-and-coming people in the same and other ministries, equip all house church members to do the work of the ministry, building up the Body of Christ, aiming at unity of faith and knowing Jesus, growing in maturity to be more Christ-like, avoiding winds of doctrine and the trickery of false teachers, seeing that every member does his or her share in causing growth of the Body (Eph. 4:7-16).
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VISION FOR A MOVEMENT:
The Ecclesia Manifesto
BOTTOM LINE: to give GOD glory, honour and praise
through all of this! (1 Cor. 10:31; Rev. 4:11)
(1) WE NEED COMMUNITY:
Ø Smith: Build intentional Christian community (Romans 12)
Ø Commitment: we are totally committed to each other, this may be reflected
in a written covenant (QUALITY)
Ø We spend a significant amount of TIME together (QUANTITY)
Ø Accountability: We hold each other accountable, we confess our sins
to each other, keep track of each other's walk with the Lord
Ø Friendship: we're not just fellow church members, we're friends
Ø Sharing: we pool resources (personal possessions, expertise, etc.)
Ø Perseverance: we stick with each other, and don't run away when the
going gets tough, or when things get monotonous
(2) WE NEED MINISTRY & CHURCH THAT'S NOT BASED / DEPENDANT
ON A PROFESSIONAL CLASS OF PAID CLERGY
Ø Smith: Do church without clergy
Ø Don't become dependant on denominational subsidies, wages, leadership
(which is subject to top-down decisions, clergy turnover)
Ø Listen primarily to the Holy Spirit and do what He tells us (Rev.
3:13)
Ø Money is supplied by God through various channels; each member, if
possible, should have a paid "secular" job unless homemaking, retired,
sick or unemployed (Mat. 6:33; 1 Thes. 4:11; 2 Thes. 3:6-12) except at times,
mobile ministries such as apostles (1 Cor. 9:1-14, see Smith's explanation
on p. 45)
Ø Don't see: WAGE / CLERGY / DENOMINATION / BUILDING = PERMANENCE,
and other things that God is doing as transitory. Read Acts, look at China's
house churches: these 4 elements were missing, yet the Church flourishes.
Why?
Ø Leadership comes through all members using their gifts, an oversight
team of 5-fold ministry people, and (usual but not an absolute requirement)
house church elders and deacons
(3) WE NEED GRASS ROOTS LEADERSHIP & DECISION-MAKING
Ø Smith: Decentralize leadership and decision-making
Ø Ministry is done by people who are not doing it for the wage; they
are volunteers who are committed to God's kingdom
Ø Have plural, nonprofessional church leadership
Ø Women: they should have 100% of the chances and opportunities that
men have
Ø Decision-making: make decisions through consensus (not dictated from
above or voted upon but agreed upon by every group member)
Ø Method of growth: grow through multiplication rather than addition
(4) WE NEED OPEN WORSHIP
Ø Smith: Open up worship services
Ø Our goal: to BUILD EACH OTHER UP (1 Cor. 14:26; Heb. 10:24, 25)
Ø Have worship that is God-centred, collective, participatory, physically
active, Spirit-led and narrative (telling the story of God's redemptive work)
(1 Cor. 14)
Ø NOT: clergy led, dependant on lots of money (for gym rental, sound
system, etc.), staged & programmed (performers & audience), where
people feel they must dress up (as in weddings, funerals, corporation board
meetings, theatrical performances, etc.)
Ø Seating: no pews or pulpits, have seating in a circle, where we can
see each other (if you want to close your eyes and worship in your own "space",
your own house would probably be better, i.e., collective not individualistic
worship)
Ø Have facilitators, not worship leaders, facilitators sitting with
the church rather supervising the people
Ø Spirit-led: allow flexibility rather than heavy pre-planning be the
guide
(5) WE NEED "FLUID" MEANS OF GATHERING BELIEVERS
Ø Smith: Overcome the edifice complex (remember Freud?): i.e., take
the emphasis off buying land & constructing buildings
Ø We use EXISTING BUILDINGS (that don't need to be specially rented)*:
Ø Houses / apartments: where we live
Ø Workplaces: where we work
Ø Schools: where we study
Ø Other "secular" venues: restaurants, pubs, bars, community
centre small rooms, boats, outdoors
Ø This will bring Christ into our everyday lives: families, jobs, education,
community
Ø Use the savings for the poor, don't waste God's money on other church
paraphernalia such as pulpits, pews, carpeting, landscaping, lighting, offering
plates, choir robes and stained glass
Ø We need to KEEP SMALL and multiply as necessary: to foster community,
to keep costs down and to be effective
Ø * Note: the exception is for a once a month meeting of the network
of house churches, but even this would preferably be done in a big house with
plenty of parking (as long as the neighbours aren't bothered)
(6) WE NEED TO BRING JESUS INTO EVERYDAY LIFE AND ABOLISH
THE SACRED / SECULAR SPLIT
Ø Smith: Cultivate a grace-ful spirituality of everyday life
Ø We must throw out our formulas for God and Christian living
Ø Stop focusing on God's special intervention, but rather focus on
spirituality for everyday living: family relations, work, shopping, commuting,
etc. (Two excellent books discussing this are Paul Marshall's Heaven Is Not
My Home: Learning to Live in God's Creation, Nashville, Tennessee: Word Publishing,
1998, and Robert Banks' Redeeming the Routines: Bringing Theology to Life,
Wheaton, Illinois: Victor Books, 1993.
Ø The "SECULAR" column needs to be "sacralized"
or made holy (set apart for special service to God - Zechariah 14:20,21; Deut.
6:4-9): house church is one of the best ways to break down the "middle
wall of division" (Eph. 2:14)
SACRED SECULAR
TIME: Sunday Mon - Sat
PLACE: church building Home, work, school, elsewhere
PEOPLE: fellow church attendees Family, friends, neighbours, work colleagues,
clients, fellow students, community people, other ethnic group people
ACTIVITIES: Sunday service, Sunday school, Bible studies, programs (nurture,
evangelistic) Working, learning, studying, hobbies, recreation, sports, arts,
politics, academic subjects, different fields
SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES: "devotions" (prayer, reading the Word), etc.
Physical disciplines: exercise, critical thinking, cultivating relationships,
memorizing, etc.
(7) WE NEED TO DO A MORE NATURAL STYLE OF EVANGELISM
Ø Smith: Practice lifestyle evangelism
Ø Avoid techniques that trivialize and over-simplify the Gospel
Ø Avoid relying on programs or gimmicks
Ø Tell people the full truth (that the saved life is not always roses)
Ø BE THE GOOD NEWS BEFORE YOU TELL IT: don't just tell people, but
show them through your life, while avoiding works-righteousness (i.e., focussing
on your good works rather than on Jesus): the house church provides an excellent
platform for this (John 13:35)
Ø Be a contrast culture (a role model of difference to the surrounding
community) rather than a counter culture (against the community)
Ø Live simply and avoid mass-consumer materialism (that big, popular
idol); one way is through sharing resources with house church members and
other needy people
Ø Take on an APOSTOLIC ROLE: intentionally target unreached groups,
bring the message through words and loving deeds / service, show them the
role model of our house church (they see the results of discipleship through
the love we have for one another - John 13:35; Mat. 28:29; Acts 2:47, 5:13,
14)
(8) WE NEED TO BE A BLESSING TO OUR COMMUNITY / SOCIETY
(Gen. 28:14)
Ø Smith: Work for social justice
Ø Champion the cause of the vulnerable, the marginalized.
Ø Reach out to single parents, immigrants (needing employment, ESL,
friendship), youth (needing mentoring, guidance, love), seniors (cast aside
and ignored in their latter years), bereaved, depressed, hurting, poor (welfare
recipients, underemployed wage earners)
Ø Take on a PROPHETIC ROLE: Work for change in institutions that oppress
people and mock the Gospel and its values (e.g., as William Carey successfully
opposed Sati in India, or 19th century Christians helped abolish slavery),
e.g., medical system with abortion, teacher's associations with pro-gay curriculum,
Canadian gov't in aiding oppressive gov'ts (plus: weapons sales)
Ø Get educated on the root causes of issues before plunging in
(9) WE NEED TO DO KINGDOM NETWORKING
Ø Smith: Do grass-roots ecumenism
Ø Avoid setting up your group as the best one, as the "measure
of all things": especially the "Us-Them" mentality of some
house churches ("IC/HC" distinction on Internet chats)
Ø Avoid division (over non-essentials) and sectarianism
Ø Seek unity but not uniformity nor relativism
Ø Talk to and seek to understand Christians from all traditions
Ø Network, partner, work together across denominational and parachurch
lines (e.g., church planting, prophetic voice in the community, etc.)
Ø Get cross-fertilization from other traditions
Ø Love people of all denominations and don't publicly criticize their
views unless they are absolutely harmful to the Body of Christ
Ø Through dialogue with other groups, work out theological issues and
their practical effects: e.g., rapture / closure (escapist mentality?, superficial
evangelistic work), "once-saved-always-saved" / Calvinist-Armenian
(how do we treat "backsliders" / apostates), peace (against war
toys, violent movies & video games), etc.
(10) USE THE FIVE-FOLD MINISTRIES TO EQUIP THE SAINTS
Ø Build up and develop a network of churches by a team of apostles,
prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers (Eph. 4:11)
Ø Each of them train up-and-coming people in the same and other ministries,
equip all house church members to do the work of the ministry, building up
the Body of Christ, aiming at unity of faith and knowing Jesus, growing in
maturity to be more Christ-like, avoiding winds of doctrine and the trickery
of false teachers, seeing that every member does his or her share in causing
growth of the Body (Eph. 4:7-16).
Ø WHAT APOSTLES DO (from David Cannistraci's The Gift of Apostle, pp.
100 - 103; see the more detailed handouts):
(1) Planting churches: Eph. 2:20; Acts 13:4 - 14:26;
(2) Overseeing and strengthening churches: 2 Cor. 11:28; Acts 15:36
(3) Developing leaders: 2 Tim. 2:22; Acts 15:40; 16:3
(4) Ordaining ministries: Acts 6:1 - 6; Titus 1:5; 2 Tim. 1:6
(5) Supervising and coordinating ministries: 1 Cor. 12:28; Acts 16:1 - 4;
Phil. 2:19, 20; Col. 4:7 - 12
(6) Managing crisis: Acts 4:34 - 37; 11:29, 30; 5:1 - 11; 15:1 - 61 Cor. 5;
1 Cor. 11:34; 2 Cor. 2:5 - 11
(7) Networking with other ministries: Acts 15; Gal. 1:18 - 2:21
Ø SUMMARY:
Ø Work: establishing and nourishing the Church
Ø Vehicles: communicating, teaching, preaching and writing
Ø Responsibilities: overseeing, strengthening, developing, imparting,
fathering, ordaining, supervising, managing, networking
Ø Planting, watering, increasing
Ø WHAT PROPHETS DO (from Ernest B. Gentile's Your
Sons & Daughters Shall Prophecy, pp. 188, 190; see the more detailed handouts):
(1) Giving "basic prophecy that edifies, comforts and exhorts: 1 Cor.
14:3
(2) Also: guidance, rebuke, judgment, correction and revelation: receiving
guidance in making decisions - Acts 16:6 - 10
(3) Perhaps teaching and preaching
(4) Giving words of warning and direction
(5) Supervising and coordinating ministries: selecting individuals for tasks
/ sending apostles - Acts 13:1 - 3; 22:13 - 16; working with apostles in establishing
basic doctrine and policy - Eph. 2:20; 3:5; solving religious disputes - Acts
15:28, 32
(6) Predicting the future: Acts 11:27 -28; 20:23; 21:10 - 11; 2 Thes. 2:3;
Rev. 1:1 - 1; 22:6
(7) Demonstrating the supernatural: Acts 19:6
(8) From time to time the prophet, working in conjunction with others in leadership,
brings significant direction or prediction for the local church, a group of
churches or the Church worldwide
(9) Working closely with apostles and other church leaders: operating within
a ministerial covering and apostolic oversight - 1 Cor. 12:28; Eph. 2:20;
3:5; 4:11; Rev. 18:20
(10) Mobile at times, local at times, but not aimless and irresponsible: Acts
11:27; 15:32; 21:10
"The apostle is primarily an architect, concerned with the overall design of the local church. The prophet, on the other hand, is first and foremost a seer, who sees beyond the present situation and brings the purposes of God into sharp focus. He has a revelation of the mind of God . . . The prophet is primarily concerned about keeping things moving, whereas the apostle tends to concentrate more on what is being built and how it is being achieved . . . People sense that the apostle has an anointing that embraces God's purpose on a scale far wider than the immediate issues. They can respond to a prophet's inspiration for the immediate but they find security in an ongoing relationship with an apostle." - Bryn Jones, "Apostles and Prophets: The Vital Role of these Foundational Ministry Gifts, " Issachar Journal 1, No. 2 (Summer 1995), pp. 13, 15-16 in Gentile, p. 189
THE FIVE-FOLD MINISTRY
Apostles: plant networks of house churches, casts the vision for the entire movement, nurtures and cares for the developing churches, identifies, recruits and trains other apostles, surveys and strategizes to reach new groupings of people, appoints and trains elders, works in a team with the other 4 functions of the 5-fold ministry
Prophets: visit the developing house churches to encourage, warn, correct and admonish them, shows God's vision of the future so that churches can take appropriate action, identifies, recruits and trains up-and-coming prophets, works in a team with the other 4 functions of the 5-fold ministry
Evangelists: penetrate unreached people groups and visits and trains the churches in outreach, surveys and strategizes to reach new groupings of people, identifies, recruits, develops and trains evangelists, works in a team with the other 4 functions of the 5-fold ministry
Pastors: nurture and care for the churches on a more intimate level, visits the various house churches, provides pastoral care for elders, counsels churches, families and individuals, resolves conflicts in groups and between people, protects the flock from dangerous outsiders and divisive insiders, identifies, recruits and trains other pastors, works in a team with the other 4 functions of the 5-fold ministry
Teachers: instruct the house churches in true doctrine and Christian living, showing people how to apply the truths of Scripture to daily life, supervises education of people at all levels, identifies, recruits and trains teachers, works in a team with the other 4 functions of the 5-fold ministry
OTHER MINISTRY ROLES
Elders: lead groups in a servant-like manner, helping house
church members develop their gifts, identifies, recruits and trains other
elders,
teach, admonish, warn and correct. Unlike the 5-fold ministry people, they
do NOT visit the various house churches, but are the main leaders overseeing
individual, local house churches
Deacons: organize, lead, train and develop house church members in helping needy members and outsiders, collect and distribute resources on a local level. Unlike the 5-fold ministry people, they do NOT visit the various house churches, but are the main leaders overseeing the more materially-related assistance in individual, local house churches
APOSTLES
Ø Taken from David Cannistraci's The Gift of Apostle: A Biblical Look at Apostleship and How God is Using It To Bless His Church Today, Ventura, Cal.: Regal Bks, 1996
"A worldwide apostolic movement is upon us" (p.
27). Reasons:
Ø God is progressively restoring the Church to its New Testament pattern
(Eph. 4:11)
Ø The apostle is needed until the Body reaches maturity (Eph. 4:13)
Ø We can see it happening already (Russia, Africa, Latin America, Korea,
China, etc.)
Definitions :
Ø APOSTLES: Sent ones
Ø APOSTOLIC PEOPLE: Christians who support and participate in apostolic
ministry
Ø APOSTOLIC CHURCHES: churches that recognize and relate to modern-day
apostles and are active in varying forms of apostolic ministry
Ø THE APOSTOLIC MOVEMENT: the Holy Spirit's worldwide activation of
apostles and apostolic people to come together as a part of a great revival
on earth
How the Apostolic Wave is birthed (pp. 37 - 41):
Ø Courtship: one pursues another to win affections (John 6:44; 15:16)
Ø Marriage: joining in covenant love (Rom. 7:4; Eph. 5:23 - 32; Rev.
21:2, 9; 22:17)
Ø Intimacy: "knowing" the other person (John 17:3; Gen. 4:1;
18:19)
Ø Conception: the seed finds a place in the innermost being and new
life begins (Mark 4:3 - 20)
Ø Gestation: a long period of gradual and hidden development (Mark
4:27)
Ø Travail: intense labouring (Rom. 8:22 - 27; Gal. 4:19)
Ø Birth: brings new life to the earth, and causes great rejoicing (John
16:21; Rom. 7:4))
How to catch the Apostolic Wave (pp. 43 - 44):
Ø We must be receptive to what God is doing in our day
Ø We must desire what God is doing (Mark 11:24)
Ø We must be committed to what God is doing (James 2:17 - 20)
Ø We must be sensitive to the call
The Apostolic Call (pp. 48 - 53):
Ø Originates from deep within the Father's heart (John 20:21)
Ø Comes from the Father, and has its eternal residence in Christ, the
Apostle (Gal. 1:1; Heb. 3:1)
Ø Christ imparts His apostleship to people (Eph. 4:11)
Ø Is personal and specific (Acts 1:24 - 26)
Ø Is a command from God in Christ (1 Tim 1:1, 2:7)
Ø Touches and transforms (Mark 1:16-20, 2:14-15; Acts 26:12-23)
Ø Results in the formation of an apostolic people (Eph. 4:7-16; Acts
8:4)
The call comes through 4 stages:
(1) Through intuition: God calls personally (Gal. 1:15; Acts 26:16-18).
(2) Through intimation: through other sensitive believers (Acts 9:10-19)
(3) Through indication: the Spirit indicates to the Body (Acts 13:2)
Ø Confirmation thru a "prophetic, public and plural ordination"
(4) Through impartation: hands laid on the apostle (Acts 13:3)
Apostolic People in the Bible (pp. 57 - 59):
Ø Jesus the Chief Apostle (Heb. 3:1)
Ø The 12 apostles of the Lamb (Rev. 21:14; Mark 3:14, 15; Mat. 19:28;
testifying of Jesus' death, resurrection and ascension - Acts 1:9, 22; 2:32;
3:15; 4:33; 5:30-32; 10:39 - 42)
Ø Other New Testament apostles: Matthias (Acts 1:26); Paul (1 Cor.
15:8); James, the brother of Jesus (Gal. 1:19); Bar-Nabas (Acts 14:3, 4, 14);
Apollos (1 Cor. 4:6 - 9); Timothy (Acts 19:22; 1 Thes. 1:1 with 2:6); Titus
(2 Cor. 8:23); Silas or Silvanus (Acts 15:22; 1 Thes. 1:1; 2:6); Tychicus
(2 Tim. 4:12); Judas (Acts 15:22; 1 Thes. 2:6); Andronicus (Rom. 16:7); Junia
(whose name indicates this might have been a woman, Rom. 16:7); and two unnamed
apostles (2 Cor. 8:23)
Ø The seventy (Luke 10:1)
Ø All of Christ's disciples (John 17:18; 2 Cor. 1:21)
Characteristics of Apostolic People (pp. 63 - 65):
Ø Relational: of one accord (Acts 1:14; 2:1, 46; 4:32; 5:12; 15:22),
across varying racial, economic and cultural differences (denominational and
national too)
Ø Vibrant: enthusiastic, passionate for what God is doing, glad, full
of vibrant joy as they receive the Word, live and eat together and preach
the Good News (Acts 2:41, 46; 11:23; 13:48)
Ø Reverent: having a "holy fear" (Acts 2:43; 5:5, 11, 13;
9:31)
Ø Focused: continuing steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine, fellowship,
breaking of bread and praying (Acts 2:42; 7:55; 14:9; 1 Cor. 15:58)
Ø Unselfish: taking care of the needy, sharing (Acts 2:44; 4:32-35)
Ø Positive: praising God, having joyful optimism (Acts 2:47
Ø Attractive: being magnetic winning the favour of the general public
(Luke 2:52; Acts 2:42; 4:13)
Ø Anointed: full of the dynamic life of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:4;
4:8, 31; 6:3, 5; 7:55; 9:17; 11:24; 13:52)
Ø Bold: in preaching the Word (Acts 4:13, 29, 31; 9:27, 29; 13:46;
14:3; 18:26; 19:8; 28:31; Prov. 28:1)
Ø Progressive: adapting homes for meeting places (when the temple and
synagogues were the places - Acts 2:46; 5:12, 21, 42; 8:3, 4; 12:12), using
creative thinking, free from the prevailing religious methods, and thus effective
and growing at an astonishing rate, new wine in new wineskins
The Holy Spirit:
Ø The apostle's Separator: Acts 13:2; Rom. 1:1; Eph. 3:5; Rev. 18:20
Ø Believers recognize / confirm the separation of individuals by the
Holy Spirit (Acts 9:10 - 19; 12:25 - 13:3)
Ø The apostle's Sender: Acts 13:4 (with His Church - Acts 13:3); Jer.
14:14, 15; 28:9; Luke 4:18; Mat. 15:24; Luke 4:43; John 20:21; Rom 10:15)
Ø The apostle's Source: Micah 3:8; Luke 4:14; Acts 10:38; 1:8
Ø The apostle's Supervisor: Acts 16:6 - 10
Ø The apostle's Seal: seal of kings - Gen. 41:42; 1 Kings 21:8; Esther
8:8; seal on all God's people - 2 Cor. 1:22; Eph. 1:13; Eph. 4:30; marked
by changed lives - 1Cor. 9:2; evidenced thru supernatural signs, wonders and
mighty deeds - 2 Cor. 12:12
What is an Apostle (pp. 80 - 91)?
Ø Duration: Are they for today? Cessationists say "no", failing
to differentiate between the original apostolic function represented in "the
Twelve" (Rev. 21:14) and the perennial apostolic function
Ø Other apostles: 1 Cor. 15:5, 7
Ø 3 reasons for their existence today:
(1) We need them: to expand and influence the world
(2) Scripture never indicates that the office of the apostle would cease:
not a singe verse can be reasonably construed to suggest that apostles were
temporary
(3) The Bible teaches that they will function perennially (enduringly): "until
we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the son of God,
to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ
. . ." (Eph. 4:13)
Ø Distinctions: Apostles are considered God's first appointment in
the membership of the Body of Christ, a recognized ministry gifting, and part
of the 5-fold ministry: Eph. 4:11; 1 Cor. 12:28 - 30
Ø A foundational ministry in the Church: Rom. 16:20; 1 Cor. 3:9 - 16;
9:1; Eph. 2:20
Ø Dimensions: Apostles must be understood and appreciated for what
they are, but in this process care must be taken to avoid attributing more
to them than does the Word of God ; they are only human as such they will
be imperfect and fallible; each apostolic person represents only a fraction
of the total equation (1 Cor. 12:14 - 20, 29)
Ø Development: They mature gradually as do those with any other ministry
gift (Luke 6:12, 13; Jesus trained His for over 3 years - full-time!)
Ø Diversities: Apostles are a diverse group; an infinite variety of
forms and functions are present in the gift of apostleship
Ø "Apostle": (Greek: apostolos) one who is sent forth or
sent away from one place to another to accomplish a specific mission,
Ø Original meaning included naval officers or merchant mariners, emissaries,
ambassadors, admirals, a fleet of ships seeking to establish a new colony,
representing the one who sent them; primary attitude: faithfulness in transmitting
or reflecting the intentions of the sender
Ø Mission of overseeing the movement and task of these ships for long
distances so that the objective of a higher authority could be accomplished
Ø In charge of overseeing resources, motivating and managing people,
dealing with changeable circumstances and conditions and handling enemy forces
in such a way as to please their superiors
Ø "Messenger", "one that is sent with orders":
delegates on a clear mission for an authority figure, going forth as representatives
of their commanders, sent to carry out their orders
Ø Can women be apostles?
Ø Deborah is an example of a woman raised up by God and placed in a
governmental position (Judges 4 - 5). If the Sovereign God wanted a man at
that time, surely He could have found one! This was God's first choice, not
His second choice!
Ø Women played vital roles in Paul's apostolic ministry: Phoebe, Paul's
helper (Rom. 16:2), Priscilla risked her neck for Paul (Rom. 16:3 - 4); Mary
worked hard among the Romans(Rom. 16:6); Rufus' mother mothered Paul (Rom.
16:13); Nymphas had a church in her house (Col. 4:15); Chloe (1 Cor. 1:11);
Lois and Eunice (1 Tim. 1:5; Philemon 2)
Ø Scriptural and historical reasons lead us to believe that women can
be involved in governmental as well as apostolic positions: Phoebe, a servant
(minister) and helper (prostasis - a woman set over others, a position of
considerable authority); Apostles had some feminine qualities (nursing and
cherishing like devoted mothers - 1 Thes. 2:6 - 8)
7 demands that define apostles:
(1) Apostles are required to have a definite and personal call from God in
their lives: Luke 6:13
(2) Apostles are required to have a special intimacy and acquaintance with
Jesus Christ: 1 Cor. 9:1; Acts 1:21-25; 4:13; John 15:4, 5
(3) Apostles are elders and must meet the Biblical qualifications of an elder:
1 Tim. 3:1 - 7; Titus 1:5 - 9; 1 Peter 5:1 - 4
(4) Apostles are 5-fold ministers and must function as such: Eph. 4:11 - 17
(5) Apostles are required to have the recognition and confirmation of peers:
Gal. 2:9; Acts 13:1 - 3
(6) Apostles must have specific fruit to which they can point to demonstrate
their apostleship: 1 Cor. 9:1, 2
(7) Apostles must maintain their apostleship by complete submission to Christ,
or they will fall from apostleship and lose their office as did Judas: Acts
1:25
DEFINITION (p. 91): An apostle is a person who is called and sent by Christ and has the spiritual authority, character, gifts and abilities to successfully reach and establish people in Kingdom truth and order, especially by founding and overseeing local churches (David Cannistraci)
Ø "The gift of apostle is the special ability
that God gives to certain members of the Body of Christ to assume and exercise
general leadership over a number of churches with an extraordinary authority
in spiritual matters that is spontaneously recognized and appreciated by those
churches.
Ø "Apostles are those whom God has given especially to pastors
and church leaders. They are those to whom pastors and church leaders can
go for counsel and help. They are peacemakers, troubleshooters and problem
solvers. They can make demands that may sound autocratic but that are gladly
accepted because people recognize the gift and the authority it carries with
it. They have the overall picture in focus and are not restricted in vision
to the problems of one local church." (C. Peter Wagner, Your Spiritual
Gifts Can Help Your Church Grow, Ventura, Cal: Regal Books, 1994, pp. 181
- 182)
7 responsibilities of an apostle:
(1) Planting churches: Eph. 2:20; Acts 13:4 - 14:26
Ø Responsible for imparting the whole faith to new churches
Ø Penetrating new territory: Rom. 15:14 - 24
Ø Usually in strategic city centers, not remote places
(2) Overseeing and strengthening churches:
Ø Showing deep love and concern for their churches: 2 Cor. 11:28
Ø Frequently checking up on the converts in an effort to see them established
in Christ: Acts 14:21 - 22; 15:36
Ø If they can't go in person, sending a rep: 1 Cor. 4:17
Ø Rejoice when they see proper order and an established faith in their
churches: Col. 2:5 - 7
Ø Administration: structuring the new churches with proper government,
doctrine and practices
Ø Strong pastoral ability: protecting, leading the sheep
Ø Teaching: ensuring proper doctrine: Acts 2:42; 15:1 - 31
(3) Developing leaders: 2 Tim. 2:22; Acts 15:40; 16:3
(4) Ordaining ministries:
Ø Elders and deacons: Acts 6:1 - 6; Titus 1:5; 2 Tim. 1:6
Ø With a "prophetic presbytery", laying hands for appointing
and imparting spiritual gifts to candidates for ministry (1 Tim. 4:14; 2 Tim.
1:6), along with accompanying prophetic words (1 Tim. 1:18), usually after
fasting and praying (Acts 14:23)
(5) Supervising and coordinating ministries:
Ø Supervising and ensuring people get things done
Ø Constantly brokering solutions and matching people to places and
needs
Ø Having faithful representatives who can fix problems and fill positions:
Acts 16:1 - 4; Phil. 2:19, 20; Col. 4:7 - 12
Ø Gift of administration - delegating, overseeing and proper accountability:
1 Cor. 12:28
(6) Managing crisis:
Ø Being a problem-solver, e.g., economic crises, leadership issues
and violations of proper practice and conduct
Ø Examples: famine relief (Acts 4:34 - 37; 11:29, 30), church discipline
(Acts 5:1 - 11; 1 Cor. 5; 2 Cor. 2:5 - 11); resolving doctrinal disputes (Acts
15:1 - 6); setting things in order (1 Cor. 11:34)
(7) Networking with other ministries: Acts 15; Gal. 1:18 - 2:21
Ø SUMMARY:
Ø Work: establishing and nourishing the Church
Ø Vehicles: communicating, teaching, preaching and writing
Ø Responsibilities: overseeing, strengthening, developing, imparting,
fathering, ordaining, supervising, managing, networking
Ø Planting, watering, increasing
The signs of an apostle (pp. 105 - 133):
Ø Patience: remaining persistent in the face of opposition, staying
anchored when everything around is drifting off course, manning a station
and fulfilling a duty no matter what: Acts 20:24; 21:13
Ø 2 Cor. 12:12 - hupomone: cheerful endurance, remaining intact under
pressure or difficulty
Ø Also: 1 Tim. 6:11; 2 Tim. 3:10; Titus 3:2; Heb. 12:1
Ø Patience for SUFFERING: being threatened, falsely accused, beaten,
imprisoned, stoned and even beheaded
Ø Acts 5:40 - 42; 1 Cor. 4:9 - 13; Mat. 24:9 - 13
Ø When Jesus sent out His apostles (Mat. 10:5 - 22), He warned them
of persecution (vv. 16 - 22)
Ø PATIENCE of apostles: 2 Cor. 1:6 - 10; 6:4 - 10; 11:23 - 33
Ø This is a test: John Mark at first didn't pass it (Acts 15:37 - 39),
but when his cousin Bar-Nabas patiently worked with him (Acts 15:39), he ended
up as a profitable minister of God (2 Tim. 4:11)
Apostles as fathers who - Malachi 4:5, 6 (pp. 120 - 124):
Ø Demonstrate love: nurturing children, affectionately caring for them:
Gen. 44:30; 2 Cor. 7:3
Ø Train and discipline: firmly directing and guiding children into
activities and attitudes that will prepare them for success, directing children
into productive paths, accepting responsibility for them, disciplining and
training for spiritual maturity: Jethro in Ex. 18:13 - 26; Joseph in Gen.
45:8; human fathers in Eph. 6:4; God as Father in Heb. 12:5 - 10; Paul in
1 Cor. 4:14 and Col. 1:28
Ø Provide: sustaining and enriching, giving all to see your children
improve their lots in life: Prov. 13:22; 2 Cor. 12:14; 1 Tim. 1:2, 18; 2 Tim.
1:2 - 5
Ø Reproduce: physically contributing to creating a new life, creating
and establishing things, planting churches and creating ministries wherever
they go, giving spiritual life to new children in the faith
Ø Bless and impart: transferring divine life, touching: Mark 10:16;
Eph. 1:3; Heb. 11:21; 2 Tim. 1:6
Ø Fathers over the house of the Lord, i.e., planted churches: 1 Cor.
9:2; 4:15; Gen. 17:5; Gal. 4:19; 1 John 2:1; 3:18
Ø Fathers over sons in the Gospel: e.g., Paul with Timothy (1 Tim.
1:2)
False apostles (2 Cor. 11:12 - 15; Rev. 2:2) (pp. 129 -
141):
Ø Will come, as Satan has targeted apostolic ministry for neutralization
Ø A massive countermovement will try to discredit the true one
Ø But they will fall
Ø Motives: love of money (Titus 1:11; Rev. 2:14; 2 Peter 2:1-3) and
pride (1 Tim. 6:4, 5)
Ø Money must be used correctly: Luke 16:11, 12; Acts 4:35 - 37; 20:33
Ø Identifying them:
Ø False personality: Mat. 7:23; 2 Cor. 11:26; Gal. 2:4, 5
Ø False practices: Eph. 4:14 - secrecy (Gal. 2:4, 5), bondage (Gal.
2:4, 5), manipulation thru flattering words (Rom. 16:18; Eph. 4:15), sexually-seductive
influence (Mat. 23:14; 2 Tim. 3:6), deception and pretense (Mat. 7:15; 24:11),
false miracles (Mat. 24:24), false philosophies (Col. 2:8; James 3:15), empty
traditions (Col. 2:8, 18), penetrating local church with their messages instead
of penetrating society with the Gospel (Acts 20:29; Jude 4), detracting from
the local church rather than building it up in faith and converts (Acts 20:30;
1 John 2:19, 26)
Ø False proclamation: not preaching truth, but lies (perverting the
Gospel - Gal. 1:7; preaching a "different gospel" - 2 Cor. 11:4;
Gal. 1:6; doctrines of demons - 1 Tim. 4:1)
Ø Dealing with false apostles:
Ø Avoid coming under their influence: Rom. 16:17; Titus 3:9; Gal. 2:4,
5
Ø Abandon all connections with them: 1 Cor. 15:33; Gals. 5:12; 2 Thes.
3:6, 14; 2 John 1:6; 1 Tim. 6:5
Ø Admonish and exhort them to cease from their false practices: Titus
1:9; 3:10, 11; 1 Tim. 2:25, 26
Ø Alert others in the Body of Christ of their works: Rom. 16:17; Paul
named opponents: 1 Tim. 1:20; 2 Tim. 4:14
Apostolic humility (Mat. 20:28; Acts 20:19)(pp. 147 - 148):
Ø Apostles saw themselves as slaves of Jesus Christ: Rom. 1:1; James
1:1; 2 Peter 1:1; Rev. 1:1
Ø They never took glory for themselves: 1 Cor. 9:16; Acts 3:12; Acts
10: 25, 26; 14:11 - 15; 1 Thes. 2:6
Ø But still had fierce boldness: Acts 13:46; 14:3
Ø They understood their own need to submit: to the sending church -
Acts 13: 1 - 3; to the local church; with freedom for those working with them:
Apollos in 1 Cor. 16:12
4 Principles of apostolic authority (pp. 148 - 152):
(1) The principle of interdependent cooperation: respecting people's free
will and choosing cooperation rather than control - Rev. 2:6, 15; 2 Cor. 1:24;
Eph. 4:16; Phil. 2:2
(2) The principle of voluntary submission: Acts 16:4,5
(3) The principle of local autonomy: apostles function at the level of translocal
authority, with harmony and a wonderful balance with local authority, which
often had elders and deacons - Acts 15 & 16
(4) The principle of mutual accountability: accountable to other apostles
in an effective relational network with Jesus as the ultimate Head - Acts
15; Gal. 2; also accountable to the churches - Eph. 5:21
4 aspects of apostolic authority (pp. 152 154):
(1) Ranks of apostleship (perhaps): informal; James in Acts 15:13; Peter on
several occasions; Paul's discussion of chief and lesser apostles - 2 Cor.
11:5; 12:11; 1 Cor. 15:9
(2) Reach of authority: unique measure of rule (or sphere of authority) -
2 Cor. 10:13 - 16; Paul's sphere: Gentile world (Rom. 11:13); Peter, James
and John to Jews (Gal. 2:7 - 10)
(3) Relational authority: developing relationships - 1 Cor. 9:2
(4) Regional authority: territorial - Rom. 15:19 - 24; 1 Peter 5:13?
Apostolic functions related to authority (right to act)(pp.
155 - 156):
Ø Ordaining order: 1 Cor. 7:17; 11:34; 16:1
Ø Settling doctrinal questions: Acts 15: 1, 2, 6
Ø Making decrees: Acts 16:4
Ø Setting deacons and elders into their roles: Acts 6:1 - 6; 14:23
Ø Delegating authority to "subapostolic" leaders: temporary
local overseers such as Timothy, Titus, etc. (1 Tim. 1:3; Titus 1:5) who were
to train local leaders - elders and deacons (2 Tim. 2:2; 1 Tim. 3:1 - 13;
Titus 1:5 - 9)
Supernatural power (ability to act)(pp. 163 - 171):
Ø Apostles supernaturally attract large crowds: Acts 4:33; 5:12 - 16;
13:44
Ø God uses apostles to supernaturally impart through the laying on
of hands: Rom. 1:11; Acts 8:15 - 18; 19:6; Mark 16:18; Heb. 6:1, 2; 1 Tim.
4:14; 5:22; 2 Tim. 1:6
Ø Apostles possess a supernatural spirit of revelation: 2 Cor. 12:1
- 7; 1 Cor. 11:23; 14:6, 26; Acts 5:3; 10:9 - 22; 18:9, 10; 2 Cor. 12: 1;
1 Tim. 1:18; 2 Tim. 1:6; Rev
Ø Apostles exercise supernatural command over sickness: Acts 3:1; 5:15,
16; 9:32 - 35; 14:3, 8 - 10
Ø Apostles demonstrate supernatural power over demons: Acts 5:16; 8:7;
16:16 - 18; 19:12; Luke 10:19; Mark 16:17; Mat. 10:8
Ø Apostles release supernatural judgments against wickedness: Acts
5:1 - 11; 13:8 - 11
Ø Apostles manifest supernatural power to raise the dead: Acts 9:36
- 42; Mat. 10:8; 11:5
Ø What constitutes an apostle is more a matter of character and calling
than charisma. Still, we should not presume to water down the clear scriptural
pattern of apostolic power. Instead, we should ask the Lord to increase our
faith, just as the apostles did (see Luke 17:5)
New Testament examples of apostolic churches (pp. 177 -
184):
Ø Samaria: influencing the city - Acts 8:1 - 5
Ø Philippi: the importance of women, joy and giving - Acts 16:6 - 40;
Phil. 4:15
Ø Thessalonica: thriving amid resistance: Acts 17:1 - 7; 1 Thes. 2:2;
1:7, 8
Ø Berea: building on the Word - Acts 17:11
Ø Corinth: establishing order and holiness - 1 & 2 Cor.
Ø Ephesus: structured for growth, order and longevity - Acts 20:17
- 38
Ø Colosse: triumphing over heresy - Col. 2:8, 14-16, 18, 20 - 22
Ø Rome: establishing new centers of outreach - Rom. 1:8 - 11; 15:22
- 28
Ø Jerusalem: Acts 2:42
Ø Antioch: was characterized by patterns such as:
Ø Commitment: Acts 11:29
Ø Grace: Acts 11:23
Ø Benevolence: Acts 11:29, 30 - sending relief to Jerusalem
Ø Spirituality: Acts 13:1, 2
Ø Diversity: Acts 13:1 - Bar-Nabas a Jew from Cyprus, Simeon an African,
Lucius from Cyrene, Manaen an upper class fellow, Saul a Jewish Pharisee from
Tarsus
Ø Giftedness: Acts 13:1 - prophets, elders, teachers, disciples; apostles
sent out
Ø Teaching: Acts 11:26; 13:1
Ø Prophetic ministry: Acts 13:1; 11:27 - 30
Ø Worship: Acts 13:2
Ø Prayer: Acts 13:2
Ø Structure: Acts 13:2, 3
Ø Impartation: Acts 13:3
Ø Apostolic passion: Acts 13:3
Apostolic networking (pp. 185 - 197):
Ø In the broad sense, networking is simply enhancing life by sharing
resources through relationships and connections
Ø Is a reflection of the divine pattern of interdependence and unity
God has ordained for the Church
Ø The need: Eph. 4:16; 1 Cor. 1:10; Acts 4:34, 35; 15
Ø Apostolic networks: a modern movement to which the weaknesses of
traditional denominationalism are succumbing
Ø Prototype in Scripture: apostolic team ministry
Ø Jesus sent apostles in pairs: Mark 6:7
Ø Jesus worked with 12, then 70, then more disciples
Ø Paul and Bar-Nabas: Acts 13:4 - 15:12
Ø Then added Judas and Silas: Acts 15:22 - 34
Ø Paul and Silas, joined by Timothy, Luke, Aquila, Priscilla, and Apollos:
Acts 16:2 - 10; 18:2 - 30
Ø Erastus, Gaius and Aristarchus in Acts 19
Ø Sopater, Secundus, Tychicus and Trophimus in Acts 20
Ø A network is an extension of the team-ministry principle which brought
together the variety of apostles, pastors, prophets, teacher and evangelists
that were necessary to plant and establish churches throughout the known world.
Ø Apostles and prophets have a unique blending of gifts and often work
together . . . . to properly establish the Kingdom (Luke 11:49; Eph. 2:20;
3:5; Rev. 18:20)
An apostolic network: a band of autonomous churches and
individual ministries that are voluntarily united in an organized structure.
Ø This framework of human relationships is sufficient to facilitate
interdependency between network members and their apostolic oversight.
Ø Network members possess a common vision and demonstrate a tangible
expression of New Testament apostolic ministry.
Ø Although each network may accomplish organization through varied
methods, values, philosophies and goals, they all share the essence of connecting
relationships and combining resources.
Ø The network becomes a melting pot of strategy, vision, methods, teaching,
training and programs.
Ø Apostolic networks are different from most denominations because
in networks, relationships (not policies and rules) are the main source of
organizational strength.
Ø Only minimal legal and financial control are imposed.
Ø In the apostolic network to which I belong, the function of government
is accomplished largely through the partnership of prayer, discussion, planning
and visionary leadership.
Ø The most effective networks are more than mere ministerial fellowships,
because the purpose is to accomplish ministry and not to merely facilitate
camaraderie.
Basic elements of an Apostolic Network:
Ø A recognized apostle or team of apostles in leadership: overseer(s)
who act(s) as the catalyst and ultimate strategist of the network, ideally
networking with prophets and other gift ministries according to Scriptural
patterns
Ø An atmosphere of dynamic relationships: not built on rules and control,
but on love and voluntary cooperation, through frequent time together in conferences,
events and gatherings
Ø A distinct mission and purposes: willingly coming together to accomplish
a mission, which becomes a movement, which grows when its members are trained
and mobilized to propagate the mission. It's up to the leadership to continually
identify and articulate the mission. It centers on church planting, outreach
and world missions.
Ø A gathering of apostolic churches: local churches are the product,
as well as the organizational backbone of the network. Because the primary
work of an apostle is to plant and water churches, an apostolic network will
of necessity be composed of properly structured and committed apostolic churches
made up of apostolic people willing to pray, give and go. network churches
are not under the rule of the network, but are autonomous and self-supporting.
they should be held together by a mutual compatibility of mission, values
and doctrine.
3 essential priorities for apostolic networking:
(1) Relationship: washing the Kingdom Net: 1 John 1:7
(2) Equipping and reproduction: mending the K.N.: Eph. 4:11, 12
(3) Mission: casting the Kingdom Net
PROPHETS
Ø Taken from Ernest B. Gentile's Your Sons & Daughters Shall Prophesy: Prophetic Gifts in Ministry Today, Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker Book House, 1999
PROPHECY: an inspired spoken message that God brings to a person or group of people thorough a Spirit-filled Christian (p. 26)
WHAT PROPHETS DO (pp. 188, 190):
(1) Giving "basic prophecy that edifies, comforts and exhorts: 1 Cor. 14:3
(2) Also: guidance, rebuke, judgment, correction and revelation: receiving guidance in making decisions - Acts 16:6 - 10
(3) Perhaps teaching and preaching
(4) Giving words of warning and direction
(5) Supervising and coordinating ministries: selecting individuals for tasks / sending apostles - Acts 13:1 - 3; 22:13 - 16; working with apostles in establishing basic doctrine and policy - Eph. 2:20; 3:5; solving religious disputes - Acts 15:28, 32
(6) Predicting the future: Acts 11:27 -28; 20:23; 21:10 - 11; 2 Thes. 2:3; Rev. 1:1 - 1; 22:6
(7) Demonstrating the supernatural: Acts 19:6
(8) From time to time the prophet, working in conjunction with others in leadership, brings significant direction or prediction for the local church, a group of churches or the Church worldwide
(9) Working closely with apostles and other church leaders: operating within a ministerial covering and apostolic oversight - 1 Cor. 12:28; Eph. 2:20; 3:5; 4:11; Rev. 18:20
(10) Mobile at times, local at times, but not aimless and irresponsible: Acts 11:27; 15:32; 21:10
GOD'S WAYS ARE HIGHER THAN OUR WAYS:
One Journey in the Direction of House Churches
-- G. Wiebe, March 2002
God's ways and God's timing are usually not what we would
expect! Over the past couple of years, as never before, I have become increasingly
aware of the importance of God's 'appointed times' and his 'proper times'.
There are references of this throughout Scripture and I am continually seeing
this played out in my life as well.
With regard to house churches, I thought it might be helpful, in coming editions,
to occasionally share stories of the journeys of some Canadians that God is
leading or has led into house churches. To get us started, I'll begin with
a bit about my journey.
It was about 22 years ago when I recommitted my life to
the Lord and realized that He needed to be the Lord of my life, that my heart
began to stir with longing when I read through Acts and saw how God was working
in and through the New Testament church!
I didn't see that kind of life evidenced around me, and so I thought that
what happened in Acts was a one-era occurence that could only happen when
the Church began and didn't ever think it could or would happen again or happen
in my life. However, this longing continued not far beneath the surface as
the Lord continued to lead me on my spiritual journey.
This journey led me into two decades of being involved in ministry and missions,
and led me to become a part of numerous denominations for various seasons.
I learned many things about these denominations and churches I was a part
of. Many good things. I had and continue to have some wonderful relationships
from each of these churches!
I was also involved in a number of church planting situations which I greatly
enjoyed, though they of course also came with many challenges. Working in
a mission headquarters for many years has also revealed many things to me
about churches/denominations. Many good things, and many challenges.
Over the years, I began to sense God increasingly stirring in my heart the
vision of the Church living out a lifestyle as exemplifed in Scripture...the
vision of seeing biblical Christianity lived out in every aspect of life and
being manifested through godly disciples in Christian community in a way which
truly reached out to the lost and hurting not only overseas but also locally.
Increasingly I wondered how the many groups of unchurched peoples would ever
come into the Kingdom of Light if the growing sense among the lost is that
the churches/denominations are irrelevant. Who would reach those that wouldn't
come to the churches? And how could the Great Commission be accomplished with
the small number of missionaries (compared to the need) truly equipped to
be missionaries and able to be financed by churches who are increasingly struggling
with their own budgets and building projects? How would the many disenfranchised
unchurched people ever be connected with and the poor and needy ministered
to as a vital ministry of the Body? How would the many gifts in believers
in the churches be released into ministry when the structure of the traditional
system hinders rather than helps to release them? These were just a few of
the questions that were increasingly in my prayers and study of Scripture.
And the more years that have passed, the more it has seemed like the Church
has been discipled by the world, rather than the nations being discipled by
the Church. How could this ever change, with the trends going in such negative
directions?
I began to see that as well-intentioned as most of the people in churches
and denominations are, churches and denominations are not able to fulfill
the Great Commission with the quality of discipleship that Jesus requires
if things continue as they have been.
And so the vision of Christian community and a healthy, unified, fully functioning,
mature Body living out Christ's life as we read about in Scripture continued
to stir in my heart, and I longed for the day when God would release me into
that, even though I also realized this is not something that would come easily
or happen overnight.
Working with a mission that plants house churches in Muslim countries only
continued to stir that vision in my heart, and the more non-Christian friends
God has put into my life, the more I have longed to see them coming into a
situation where the life of Christ is manifest through biblical Christian
community through His Body as exemplified in Scripture, and where they could
be discipled in ways which are not readily available in a traditional model.
But the Holy Spirit had many things to teach me where I was until the time
was right.
Over the past years He's also involved me with a group of believers from various
parts of the city in a situation which is very much like a house church except
for we're not from the same neighborhood and we don't meet as often as we
would like to. This has been WONDERFUL and it only served to continue to intensity
my desire for the day when He would finally release into that kind of fellowship
on a regular basis in my own neighbourhood!
To make a long story short, about 3+ years ago I felt the time was right to
begin to take some initial steps of faith in this direction, and immediately
God brought others along who shared the same/similar vision, and out of that
the Canadian House Church Resource Network was born.
I figured that God would soon allow me to also become personally involved
in a house church situation, but I was a member of two different denominations
and didn't sense that He was releasing me to go at the time.
It wasn't until a little over a year ago that I felt that God was impressing
on my heart that He was about to release me, finally, in that direction, and
within a few months a major event took place which God used to help confirm
the timing. Once He had me work through some issues over the event that transpired
(a major upheaval in the church I was attending for the past 7 years), I was
hoping that He would soon bring together a team of people He wanted me to
plant a house church with and which I could begin to invite my non-Christian
friends to connect with as well. And so I began to pray with some interested
parties who shared similar vision, but none of us felt it was the right timing
or that we were necessarily to begin a house church together. It was rather
confusing and we wondered what God was up to..
So I continued to pray...and to wait...and to pray...and to wait, meanwhile
having more fellowship than I've ever had - mostly in my home! It has been
wonderful! My health has also been too poor to allow me to go to church in
the mornings, and I have not felt that I was to do so, in spite of what other
believers/friends might think. I felt that this was a transition time where
He was preparing me for what He was leading me into, and that I was to trust
Him.
It wasn't until about Oct. 2001 that He finally began to give me some direction
in this regard, and it wasn't at all what I had thought! I had been praying
for Him to raise up a local team of leaders to plant a house church with in
my neighbourhood, and what was growing in my heart was a vision to connect
with all of the local believers in my neighbourhood who also love Jesus and
want to focus on Him, who have a heart for the lost in our neighbourhood (as
well as to see the city reached), and to begin to pray together with them.
I felt that what He was wanting to do was to establish Lighthouses of Prayer
in my neighbourhood, some of which would become house churches!
As usual, God's visions are so much bigger than ours, and so much more strategic!
I can now see how this vision also ties directly into my desire and the desire
of growing numbers of believers in our neighbourhood and city to see the city
transformed by the life/Presence of Jesus and by His power!
Again it will take a lot more prayer and waiting before house churches will
be birthed out of this, but I also see how the visible evidence and manifest
Presence of Jesus has much potential to be observed and experienced in our
neighbourhood as we as believers are united in prayer and in reaching out
to our neighbours through biblical discipleship and Christian community.
As I have been taking some initial steps in this direction recently, I have
already been greatly encouraged by the way God seems to be confirming the
direction and the timing in some very interesting ways!
And so I share this with you for two reasons, basically: 1) to encourage those
of you that are sensing God leading you to start house churches and haven't
seen it happen yet, that He may indeed do it entirely differently than you
had originally envisioned, and in a different time frame (so keep praying
and waiting and He WILL lead you!); and 2) to share with you another option
which God may want to use in other neighbourhoods as well, as a possible nursery
for house churches.
I am sending an attached file with this newsletter which includes a sample
copy of the letter of invitation I have just sent to my Christian neighbours
to invite them to prayerfully consider meeting to pray together and to discuss
how God may want to move us in these directions. Perhaps it will be of help
for some of you as well? I have already has some very enthusiastic replies!
Hopefully we will have our first meeting in April!
We would therefore greatly appreciate your prayers if God brings us to your
attention. I will update you on occasion as seems appropriate. Thank you very
much for your prayers!
=============
* Sample Letter Inviting Christian Neighbours to Consider Meeting Together to Pray for the Neighbourhood - see below
LIGHTHOUSES OF PRAYER SAMPLE INVITATION LETTER
G__ W___
Address:
Email:
Web Site:
March 9, 2002
Re: Would you like to discuss the possibility of meeting
together with other believers in our neighbourhood to prayerfully consider
uniting together to see our homes become Lighthouses of Prayer as part of
seeing the city of Surrey transformed by the life of Christ as we live out
Christ's life - together - becoming a visible biblical community expressing
His Presence among our hurting neighbours?
====================================================================
"All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. THEREFORE, go and MAKE DISCIPLES OF ALL NATIONS (we have many nations in our neighbourhood), baptizing them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to OBEY EVERYTHING I have commanded you. And SURELY I WILL BE WITH YOU ALWAYS, to the very end of the age." Matt.28:18, 19
"My house will be called a HOUSE OF PRAYER FOR ALL NATIONS"...Mk 11:17
"...They (we) will REBUILD THE ANCIENT RUINS and RESTORE
THE PLACES LONG DEVASTATED; they will RENEW THE RUINED CITIES that have been
DEVASTATED FOR GENERATIONS." Is. 61:4..."and YOU will be called
priests of the Lord; you will be named ministers of our God"... (vs.6).
==================================================================
CONTENTS:
-----------------
Why are YOU receiving this letter?
The Invitation
What is a Lighthouse of Prayer?
Response if interested
What would happen at the meeting?
Some ways which can help you to prepare for the upcoming meeting
This letter has been sent to the following
Some Related Resources for you
============================
Dear Friends;
Those of you who are receiving this letter are from various churches and denominations and live within a few blocks of each other. This invitation is not intended to pull you away from your churches or denominations, rather, to strengthen unity in the Body and to complement what is already happening through the local churches in our region.
Why are YOU receiving this letter?
-------------------------------------------------
Many (most?) of you have already been praying for this neighbourhood - some
perhaps even for many years! Many (most?) of you already have a heart to see
our neighbours and neighbourhood reached with the Gospel, and many (most?)
are wanting to see the Church move out of the churches into our neighbourhoods
("the Church without walls"), as well, in order to obey Christ's
commands to GO and to GO INTO THE HIGHWAYS AND BYWAYS, and to see people not
only becoming believers, but becoming true and wholehearted DISCIPLES of Jesus
Christ! Many (most?) of you have also seen the TRANSFORMATIONS video/s in
the past couple of years and also have a longing to see this happening in
Surrey and indeed throughout our nation, and we realize that this is only
possible through united prayer and increasing unity as believers come together
to seek God's purposes and glory in our neighbourhoods and cities. Many (most?)
of you also desire to use your spiritual gifts in ways which build up the
Body and are used to minister to the lost and hurting. It is because of this
that I am sending this invitation to you to prayerfully consider.
We all realize that there are many groups of people in our neighbourhoods that are not feeling connected to the local church, but we want to see them reached anyway. How can this be done? We also may have a deep desire to reach out to our neighbourhood but may feel very alone in it and would like to see Christians in the neighbourhood praying together and supporting each other and working TOGETHER to reach them. This way the joys and the faith challenges/struggles don't land on anyone's shoulders on their own, but are shared by the believing community in the neighbourhood. What better way to reach our neighbours, exercise our gifts, build up the Body, and allow the Holy Spirit to manifest the multifaceted character of Jesus through us to our neighbours! - a visible Presence of Jesus in the neighbourhood as His Body functions TOGETHER as part of a larger neighbourhood team of believers who share similar vision! As this happens, I believe the dark spiritual atmosphere in our region will begin to lift and eventually become transformed, and I believe that God wants to do FAR MORE in our neighbourhood than we have ever asked or imagined!
There are already some significant and interesting signs that He is beginning to answer some of our prayers over the years, and I will look forward to sharing more about this with you when we meet...hopefully you can come!
Have you perhaps been asking God to 'enlarge your tent'? - the Prayer of Jabez? If so, perhaps this is one part of the answer?
The Invitation:
============
I would like to present something to you to prayerfully consider.
In order to help to realize some of the dreams and visions that God is stirring up in our hearts, I want to present to you one potential option that we can perhaps prayerfully consider together as a starting point...
One way to potentially begin to move forward by taking some steps in that direction, would be to consider the possibility of our homes becoming "Lighthouses of Prayer" in our neighbourhood.
What is a Lighthouse of Prayer? (or a House of Prayer for
All Nations)?
----------------------------------------------
We would not have to copy anyone, but could adapt what they are doing to suit
our neighbourhood and to how the Holy Spirit is leading US.
The Mission America coalition of denominations and Christian ministries is helping mobilize the church to pray for, care for and share Jesus Christ with every man, woman, young person and child in America. Across the country, thousands of Christians are establishing their homes, churches, businesses and other private groups as Lighthouses. These Lighthouses have committed themselves to pray for, care for and lovingly and appropriately share Christ with their neighbors, friends and family who don't know Jesus Christ. (this is also happening in many other nations and is rapidly multiplying, which is also important. They are also easily reproducible - another important aspect).
The elements of a Lighthouse are very simple:
· Prayer praying, by name, for a few family members, neighbors, co-workers,
schoolmates who don't know Jesus Christ. Many are prayerwalking or praying
with two or three other people.
· Care showing kindness, having a neighborhood barbeque, exercising
together, meeting their physical needs, building relational bridges.
· Share a sensitive Gospel witness, sharing the JESUS Video, a Gospel
tract, inviting them to an outreach event or crusade at your church, etc.
Lighthouse Christians are breaking out of the car-to-garage-to-house mold to meet and develop relationships with their neighbors. They are literally opening their doors, demonstrating Christ's love to the family next door.
Lighthouse can be a church, family, business, school group or other gathering. Participants commit to pray regularly - by name - for their neighbors, and to develop genuine friendships that can lead to sharing the Gospel.
Lighthouses are springing up everywhere:
· Schools - students praying for the students in their homeroom classes,
or those who locker next to them.
· Businesses - workers praying for coworkers in the offices or cubicles
next to them, or who work on the same factory line. They're also praying for
the customers and vendors they come in contact with.
· Prisons - inmates who have become Christians are establishing their
cells as Lighthouses, to reach their fellow inmates.
· Retirement/nursing homes - senior citizens praying for those in the
beds or rooms next to theirs.
Many Lighthouses are placing an electric candle or lighthouse
in their window, along with a Lighthouse Movement decal, to demonstrate their
commitment to being a Lighthouse.
-----------------
Some of you have been involved in ALPHAs at your churches....some of you may be considering hosting one in your home...some of you may be considering starting a house church in your home, etc. All of these ways can work TOGETHER, complementing what God is doing in this neighbourhood, and helping to see believers united in prayer, in vision, in reaching the lost, in glorifying the Lord Jesus Christ through every aspect of our lives.
Response:
----------------
If you're interested and would like to talk further about this to see if God
may be leading you in
these directions with others of us in our neighbourhood, please let me know
the following:
1) Which part of the day would be best for you to meet
for an initial meeting? - morning, afternoon, evening?
2) Which day/s would be best for you to meet?
3) Would your home be open as a potential place to meet? If so, approx. how
many people can your home hold?
4) If so, are there stairs or is it level entry? If stairs, approx. how many?
5) Would you potentially be able to meet during the first or second week of
April? And if so, which week would be better for you?
6) If you would be unable to meet in April, would you like for us to contact
you about our next potential meeting as we begin to meet to pray together?
7) If you're interested, I would encourage you to begin to pray about this...that
God would raise up the local believers in our neighbourhood that He wants
to have meeting together and that He would connect them with us. We are not
trying to convince anyone of anything, but want to see what He has already
been stirring in our hearts and see how we can work TOGETHER to see the vision
come to pass which HE has for our neighbourhood.
8) Also, please pray about some of the prayer concerns that God may be wanting
us to pray for together as a group --for people/schools/businesses, etc. in
our neighbourhood, for our neighbourhood as a whole, for believers in our
neighbourhood as a whole, and for our role as believers in the city of Surrey,
etc. Also, begin to pray about anything in particular that God may put on
your heart that He may want you to share with the rest of us as a group as
a word of encouragement, etc.
What would happen at the meeting?
============================
* INTRODUCE EACH OTHER and get to know each other - share a bit about our
vision and why we came
* SHARING THE VISION: I would share more about the vision on my heart and
how I believe God is already moving in these directions in this neighbourhood.
* Time of WORSHIP - perhaps through poetry, prayer, singing, showing us a
piece of art which you have created which expresses worship to God, doing
a worship dance, other?
* PRAY about the vision GOD has for us and about some of the unsaved neighbours
we already know
* DISCUSS the vision amongst each other and see how God may be wanting to
lead us together and so all of us would be helping to shape the vision as
God wants it for US, since HE alone knows what HE wants to do in our neighbourhood
and how HE wants to accomplish HIS purposes through us here
* POTENTIAL NEXT STEPS: Discuss some potential next steps and a possible next
date/location to meet for our next prayer time.
Some ways which can help you to prepare for the upcoming
meeting:
=====================================================
* PRAY about what has already been said in this letter and whether you feel
that God wants you to attend this initial meeting as a first step in seeking
His confirmation of His directions for you in this
* Prayerfully ask God if there is anything that He wants to put on your heart
to share with the group when we meet - ie. especially particular passages
of Scripture, etc., or things you feel He has already been saying to you about
the type of things He wants to do in our neighbourhood
* Let me know by March 15, 2002 whether you are interested in coming (we need
to know how big of a place to find for this initial meeting). If you are interested,
please let me know ASAP so that I can begin to coordinate the meeting place/dates,
etc. If you are on email, please email me with your note of interest. I will
then send you further info on potential dates/location and send you a couple
of articles to help prepare you for the meeting, as well.
* Let me know if there are other Christians in our neighbourhood that you
believe would share similar vision and whom you think would want to join us
for that
* Bring one plate of snack foods for a potluck snack time as we fellowship
I am eagerly looking forward to seeing what God wants to do in our neighbourhood as He brings His people together to see our neighbours prayed for and reached and as we as local believers potentially become a visible biblical, Christ-centered community within our neighbourhood! May He indeed express His compassion, love and life through us and use us to see a 'new thing' happening in our neighbourhood and bring 'streams into the wasteland' all around us as we seek to live out His life through us.
So we may become a bright light in our neighbourhood,
G Wiebe
This letter has been sent to the following neighbours:
-
-
--
Are there some folks that I have missed that should be included? If so, please let me know. Thanks!
SOME RESOURCES FOR YOU:
==========================
Lighthouses of
Prayer - Houses of Prayer for All Nations
Articles on Prayer, Spiritual
Gifts, Spiritual Warfare, Prayerwalking, Intercession, etc.
Information on TRANSFORMATIONS
#1
ALPHA CANADA
Canadian
House Church Resource Network
free e-newsletter
YOUR HOME A LIGHTHOUSE: Hosting An Evangelistic Bible Study - very helpful book by Bob & Betty Jacks. Available through your local Christian bookstore. From the book cover: Bob and Betty "...apprehensively opened their home for a weekly Bible study. Surprised by the results, Bob and Betty quickly shed their fears and proceeded to make a significant impact on their community. Here's the practical guidebook that grew out of the Jacks' years of experience with evangelistic studies. You'll learn how to start one in your own home (or office or campus). You'll find out who to invite. What to study. How to ask good questions. How to answer them. And when to encourage a decision for Christ. Ultimately, you'll discover that the secret isn't in your personal skills or power with people. It's in a simple, heartfelt concern for your non-Christian friends (and neighbours) - and the power of God's Word (and the Holy Spirit and prayer). Now that's the kind of house-warming your home needs! : ) Published by NAVPRESS.
HOUSES THAT CHANGE THE WORLD - Wolfgang Simson - More info
here
Info about the book: http://disciplethenations.org/index14.html#WOLFGANG
HOUSE CHURCH REGISTER opportunity
==================================
From: housechurchregister@juno.com
If you are interested in becoming a part of the House Church
Registry, please take a few moments and fill out the information below and
return it to us via e-mail. You will find more
information about the House Church Register attached to the bottom of the
questions.
If you do not wish to be a part of this free service, please e-mail us and we will no longer contact you.
In His love and service,
Kathy Harrison (housechurchregister@juno.com)
Daughter of Cliff James, author of The Blueprint and manager of
www.theearlychurch.com
Name
Phone Number
Address
E-mail
Web Site
Do you invite children to participate? Yes No
Do you gather for a meal before services? Yes No
What are the times and days of your gatherings?
Do you meet in a different location each time or the same? Different Same
How long have you been meeting?
How many members gather with you?
Would you be open to receiving visits from members of other house churches?
Yes No
Do any of your members maintain a guest room for visiting house church brethren?
Yes No
Do you support the biblical concept of plural leadership? Yes No
Are you a cell church, defined as neighborhood groups with ties to a larger
institutional church?
Yes No
Are you a seed church with intentions to go into a larger structure later?
Yes No
Are you dedicated to a return to simple early church worship in the home?
Yes No
Do you have any denominational affiliation? Yes No
Would you be interested in fellowshipping with other house churches? Yes
No
Would you like to be notified of conferences and meetings held in your area
relative to house church? Yes No
Please share with us the names and e-mail addresses of two other members who
could act as representatives for your fellowship should you not be available.
1.
2.
Is there any other information you feel we should know?
Explain:
House Church Register
Housechurchregister@juno.com
The House Church Register serves to inform other house
church assemblies about things which affect this wonderful movement of God's
spirit. It will connect and encourage interaction between the many assemblies
which now meet in New Testament fashion around the world. It will make
available, quarterly, to each house church participating, e-mail addresses
and states and cities of other house churches. It will do this to facilitate
fellowship and unity among the brethren. In cases where e-mail is not available,
it will, with permission, supply to these house churches, snail mail addresses
and/or phone numbers.
The House Church Register will serve as a central information resource for all participating house churches. It will maintain updated records of house church locations and e-mail addresses. We will be calling upon all our friends and participating assemblies to send us any and all information which they may possess regarding existing house churches. We will contact them by e-mail and invite them to join us.
We are only interested in those groups who meet together
in a house after the pattern of the New Testament. Seed churches, those churches
intending to go into a larger structure later, do not conform. Cell churches,
neighborhood churches with ties to a larger institutional church, do not
fit this criteria either. Only those who are independent of denomination,
totally dependant on Christ and the leading of the Holy Spirit and dedicated
to the restoration of the New Testament church as Christ and the apostles
gave it to us, qualify to be a part of this information resource.
How It Works
How does one find a house church? Where do they go to look for one? You don't
find them in the yellow pages. There are no steeples or church buildings to
mark them. There are no signs in front of their meeting places to catch our
attention. This is the reason for establishing the House Church Register.
The House Church Register will supply general information common to most house
church assemblies and is designed to inform a potential member on some of
the more basic elements in this biblical church.
When someone seeking a house church contacts the house
church register, they will be supplied with as many house church assemblies
as may be found in their town. If there are none, they will be told where
the one closest to them is located. If they would be interested in beginning
a
house church and have a few people gathered to meet with them, we will recommend
someone to them who can help them get started. The house church register will
supply the e-mail address of the applicant to the nearest house church to
enable the two parties to get together. It will be up to the applicant to
e-mail the recommended house church or the closest house church to e-mail
the applicant. This is where the involvement of the House Church Register
ends. The rest is up to the parties involved. There will be no additional
information supplied to either party except in the absence of an e-mail address
and then, with permission of the applicant, their snail mail address or phone
number will be supplied to the nearest house church making the house church
responsible, in this case, for initial contact.
Quarterly Reports
Once every three months, a quarterly report will be sent by e-mail to each
participating house church listing the updated e-mail address with state and
city locations together with the first name of the person appointed by that
respective house church to represent it. This will make it possible for participating
house churches to contact each other, arrange visits, organize formal or informal
get togethers; in general, develop strong ties with each other. Relationship
is the key to becoming the body of believers that Christ meant us to be. We
can't fellowship with each other if we are unaware of who or where each other
are.
The House Church Register will issue a standard form asking basic informational questions such as, name, address, name of contact person, alternate contact person, location or locations of meetings, times and days when meetings take place and other information as needed. The House Church Register will hold in confidence all this information. Our hope is that our reputation, built over the last six years through the Living Water Epistle, our website (www.theearlychurch.com) and the book entitled, The Blueprint, will encourage your trust in us.
The register will also include the names and titles of
books, booklets and periodicals which we would recommend for reading. It will
alert all participating assemblies to any house church conferences being held
anywhere in or out of the country as we become aware of them. The register
will include house churches that are outside the borders of the United States
and
their locations.
In Conclusion
We would encourage each house church to consider this opportunity as a valuable
resource with the following caution. Any house church assembly found abusing
this resource or the principles of Christian love and fellowship will be dropped
from the register. Any attempt on the part of
any individual or house church to organize other assemblies under a common,
earthly leader or in any other fashion try to denominationalize other house
churches will result in a published warning appearing in the quarterly e-mail
report (Rom 16:17, 1 Cor 1:10-13). The purpose of the house church register
is to build love, trust and fellowship and through this strengthen the church
of our Lord, Jesus Christ. We will not condone any man's effort to build or
further his own spiritual empire. It only takes two assemblies looking to
the same earthly overseer to start a denomination. Let's build the body of
Christ instead.
If any of you receiving this have a website devoted to Christian information or teaching, we would appreciate your help. It would be great if you would help us by posting the following on your website:
LOOKING FOR A HOUSE CHURCH? A CHURCH PATTERNED AFTER THE NEW TESTAMENT?
IF SO, CONTACT housechurchregister@juno.com
-----------------
THE 4H VISION
FOR THE MULTIPLICATION OF
HOUSE CHURCH NETWORKS
OUR VISION
If we revolutionize the church and follow the New Testament pattern, then
we will see:
· Every person a worshipper.
· Every person discipled, equipped and released in their calling and
gifting.
· Every person a minister.
· Every home a house church.
· Every house church pregnant and expectant to birth another church
in God's timing.
· Every house church expanding through multiplication of house churches
throughout our cities pushing back the kingdom of darkness and expanding the
Kingdom of God.
MISSION STATEMENT
Our mission is the Master's commission to extend the Kingdom in the hearts
of men, women and children and to make disciples of all nations.
SPIRITUAL SYNERGISM
Synergism is the working together of two things (muscles or drugs for example)
to produce an effect greater than the sum of their individual effects. When
certain people get together, they become a spiritual synergism. Exciting things
start happening when there is that perfect mix . . . SYNERGY! An explosion
of ENERGY! FORCE!
POWER! DYNAMITE!
We are finding that when certain ministries combine, they tend to be synergistic.
Spiritual explosion! This tends to happen when we implement the 4H Vision.
The 4H Vision is simple. Start with simple church . . . house church; add
home Bible colleges, healing rooms and houses of prayer. If these things are
done in the spirit, as the Holy Spirit leads, there will be a spiritual explosion;
the name of Jesus will be exalted; people will be saved, filled with the Holy
Spirit, healed and delivered; the Kingdom of God will be expanded.
THE 4 H VISION
House churches have a tendency to become ingrown and self centered. All churches
have that tendency. When a church takes on the 4H Vision that problem will
disappear. The 4H Vision will fulfill Jesus' command to extend the Kingdom.
The house church and the home Bible colleges are aimed
at nurturing and discipling and equipping the saints.
· The houses of prayer and healing rooms are dynamic instruments for
evangelism and outreach. Each one of these ministries will end up bringing
people to Christ as well as edifying and strengthening saints.
All four of these ministries can take place in the home
of one single family!
· The house church can meet on Sunday morning .
· The house of prayer on Sunday evening.
· The home Bible college can meet on Thursday evenings.
· The healing rooms ministry can take place on Friday from 9 AM to
3 PM.
The days and times can be arranged to fit each situation. More people get
involved and it lessens the probability of burnout and spreads and includes
others in the ministry.
HOUSE CHURCHES
The word "church" simply means "a called out assembly"
(ekklesia). Jesus calls us to assemble in his name and every time we do He
is in our midst. So when two or three that meet in His name (two or three
people who bare his name because they have been born again) that is CHURCH!
It doesn't say we have to be doing any certain things; just get together and
that's church. A house church is a church that meets in a house. It is not
a piece of a church. It is not a prayer meeting, a cell group, or a Bible
study. It is a bona fide, real, actual, church from top to bottom, inside
and out.
What did the early church do when they assembled? In the
Book of Acts and in Paul's letters to the churches we read that:
· They met in homes
· Ate meals together
· Participated in the Lord's supper
· Studied the apostles' doctrine
· Prayed and ministered to one another
The house church is a return to the simplicity of the primitive church. Not
only the simplicity, but also the POWER of the early church. They turned the
world upside down with their anointing and their simple approach. This simple
approach is being implemented in countries in countries like China and India!
The results are astounding!
The 4H Vision starts with the church in the house. Ask the Lord if he would
have you to start one in your home. You can start with two people. God will
bless yours if you move according to his direction and guidance, and it will
grow.
HOUSES OF PRAYER
In the book of Revelation we read about the harp and the bowl. The harp represents
praise and worship to the Lord Jesus and the bowl speaks of the prayers of
the saints that are stored up to be poured out on the earth causing thunderings,
lightenings, and rumblings throughout the earth. The power of prayer cannot
be over estimated. John Wesley said, "God does nothing except in answer
to prayer." The greatest thing we can do for God or man is to pray.
The International House of Prayer in Kansas City has a passion to see raised
up houses of prayer all across the nations, where prayer and praise ascend
to God seven days a week, twenty-four hours a day involving the city wide
church. There is one of these in Burlington, Ontario.
This is a wonderful goal, but we will get started at a lower level of intensity.
We will not need to rent or build or buy a building. We will use common, ordinary
houses. We will start with only a few hours a day, one day a week and grow
from there. And when the larger, citywide house of prayer arrives in town,
we will flow into that with full participation with the rest of the Body of
Christ in the city . . . the citywide church.
The praise part of the house of prayer will normally be led by a cassette
or C D worship tape. There are many powerful worship tapes and C Ds available
in Christian bookstores. There have been times when we have been carried into
the heavenlies on the wings of praise led by these recordings. Many of them
are wonderfully anointed!
This will primarily be a time of:
· Intercessory prayer, but all forms of prayer are welcome. If God
reveals something in this time of worship and prayer that leads into ministering
to one another, let it happen! "Whatsoever he says to you . . . DO IT!"
The difference is that we go to the house of prayer . . . TO PRAY!
· Praise is also a form of prayer. But we will not restrict the Lord
if he desires to move in our midst to share a word of wisdom, word of knowledge,
prophecy, a tongue and interpretation, healing prayer, etc.
We go to the house of prayer with one thought in mind;
to do the work of intercession and praise the Lord. We will fill the bowls
with prayer and we will play the harp of praise to Jesus. The world will never
know what all is accomplished through prayer.
PRAYER IS WORK, BECAUSE PRAYER WORKS, BECAUSE GOD WORKS THROUGH PRAYER.
HEALING ROOMS
As with the houses of prayer, the healing rooms ministries are growing rapidly
all over the world. The healing rooms vision came out of the ministry of John
G. Lake over eighty years ago in the city of Spokane, Washington.
The unique characteristic of the healing rooms is the method used to get sick
people healed. People are encouraged to return again and again until the recovery
is complete. The healing rooms give time to deal in depth with every person
who comes for healing. Some cases are more difficult than others. The idea
is to stay with each person until the healing is complete. "Nothing shall
be impossible to them that believe." The healing rooms also meet in homes.
People gather and minister to those who need divine healing.
The form is simple:
· People gather at the same place and time each week
· People gather and pray and worship before ministry begins. It allows
for cleansing of the heart and preparation to minister to others.
· People depend on the guidance and direction of the Spirit for ministry
HOME BIBLE COLLEGES
In Acts chapter nineteen we witness an amazing thing in the life of the apostle
Paul. In the opening verses Paul is traveling and comes to the city of Ephesus.
· He finds 12 disciples and in talking to them he finds that they have
not yet been baptized in the name of Jesus. So he baptizes them, then lays
hands on them and ministers to them the baptism in the Holy Spirit.
· Then, for about three months, he and his little group of disciples
reason with the Jews in the synagogue persuading them about the things that
pertain to the Kingdom of God. But some were hardened and would not receive
their teaching.
· Paul takes the disciples and moves to the school discussions daily
in the lecture hall of Tyrannus. This went on for two years, so that all the
Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord,
followed by signs and wonders.
Even his adversaries acknowledged the effectiveness of Paul's school! (Acts
19:26) It must not be overlooked that it was more than just teaching the word
of the Lord that gave Paul's school such a dynamic impact on the people of
Asia.
· It was miracles of healing
· Deliverance
· Teaching of the word.
The Alpha-Omega Bible Colleges (ABCs) not only teach the word in the same
way as Paul, through discussion Bible study, but we also minister healing
and deliverance in the name of Jesus.
It is our prayer that the teaching, healing and deliverance ministry of the
ABC will be so powerful in every city and town in every nation of the world.
AN OVERVIEW OF THE HOME BIBLE COLLEGES
1. Our Goal- To Extend the Kingdom of God. It is practical
training to begin doing the works of Jesus right where we live and work.
2. Our Approach - "Come and let us help you fulfill your vision."
God has a call on every life to accomplish something that is unique and beautiful.
It is our approach to help each student find out what that is and help him/her
accomplish it.
3. Our Plan - Through multiplication it is our plan to plant churches, home
Bible colleges and healing rooms in every city and town in every province
and state in every nation.
4. Our Structure - Small groups meeting in homes. The ABC is a small group
of disciples . . . Jesus style.
5. Our Emphasis - There are seven things that ABC emphasizes: Evangelism,
Discipleship, Church Planting, Personal Ministry (which includes salvation,
healing, deliverance, prophecy, baptism in the Holy Spirit), Mercy Ministries,
and World Mission.
6. Our Leaders -The qualifications listed in I Timothy, chapter 3 and in Titus
chapter one are our guidelines for appointing leaders.
7. Our Schedule - The ABC is a one-year commitment beginning with the Orientation
and ending with a Commissioning Banquet. There will also be a mid-term retreat.
8. Our Method - Discussion Bible Study is our method for teaching through
the New Testament. We have found it to be a powerful way to open up the truths
of God's word as each person shares their questions, insights, revelations,
and understandings.
9. Our Name - Jesus is the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End and
He is the central theme of all we teach and experience in the ABC. To Know
Him and His transforming power in our lives is the object of these Bible training
schools.
10. Our Classes - In every meeting of the college we spend time in praise
and worship, intercessory prayer, reading and discussing the New Testament,
reviewing the assignments, giving praise reports, ministering to one another's
needs, and ending with a time of refreshments and fellowship.
11. Our Tuition - There is none. We encourage generosity toward the leader
of the ABC in keeping with the Word of the Lord in Galatians 6:6.
12. Our Assignments-The assignments are; write your testimony to be made into
a witnessing tool; attend the weekly meetings; read through the Old Testament
as homework; be involved in the personal ministry times in class and throughout
the week, be nurturing a new believer, and pray the prayer of evangelism daily.
13. Our Expectation - We expect to make disciples in every nation teaching
them to observe all things that Jesus commanded us. And we expect Him to work
with us as He did the early church, confirming the word with signs following.
THE SUM OF ALL THINGS
ABC has a vision to train believers in every country for leadership in church
planting, evangelism, discipleship, mercy ministries, and world mission.
Church Planting: ABC teaches simple methods of church planting that are effective and adaptable anywhere in the world.
Evangelism: ABC teaches evangelism in everyday life situations. At each session, time will be given to share experiences in ministry and personal evangelism as the Lord opens hearts and sets up divine appointments in answer to the following prayer:
"Father, give me a divine appointment today with someone who is hungry for you or in need. Give me sensitivity to know when that happens and grace to minister the love of Jesus in the power of the Holy Spirit."
Discipleship: ABC teaches the basics of Christian life and ministry. A part of the training is to help start another ABC, house church, or house of prayer by the end of the school.
Mercy Ministries: Healing, deliverance, and personal ministry are taught by hands-on experience.
World Mission: ABC will work with other missionary organizations to help reach every home in every nation with the gospel.
For more information contact:
The Dwelling Place Houses of Prayer Network (DPHOP)
Sam and Lori Buick
C/o 634 B Pinerow Crs., Waterloo, ON N2T 2K8
Phone: 519.747.0822
Email: the_dwelling_place@hotmail.com
Web: www.dwellingplacehop.org
Sam Buick is an associate and Canadian Director of Robert Fitts Ministries
( www.robertfitts.com)
A CALL TO REACH OUT TO THE DEAF COMMUNITY
THROUGH HOUSE CHURCHES
===========
By Peter Burritt - peterboomer@yahoo.com
August 2002
"It started 22 years ago this month. I did not seek
out, or really ever think this would
happen. But God has been pursuing me.
He gave me a wonderful wife; and while we could not produce our own children because of a congenital defect in my life, she was happy to adopt. In fact from the start, Marion wanted to adopt a handicapped child.
I hesitated, and said perhaps not the first one.
So, twenty-two years ago, a 4 month old, baby girl came into our house She was deaf.
God has led us on a journey, because of her. Through
VOICE for hearing impaired; looking at pros
and cons of cochlear implants on a ten year old; sign language; deaf culture;
multi-handicapped children;
parents who would move for their childrens’ betterment; and the list
goes on.
Meanwhile, I was a Baptist Preacher. After one service,
back in the late eighties one young lady, and
mother of three, said to me, “You’re going to have a deaf ministry,
someday.”
I did not think much of it at the time.
Then in the early 90’s I became friends with a couple,
and she was hard of hearing, a deaf instructor; knew
American Sign Language (ASL) fluently; and yearned to relate to us that our
daughter wanted more. More
understanding, more communication. She had things to tell us which we could
not grasp.
In 1999, my present pastor challenged me to get a full
interpreters license. I had second level Sign
Language, taught a few groups as did my wife, but in 1999, I had many excuses
to say no.
Then in April of this year, I saw on the internet a Deaf
church that had some people going on a missions
trip to deaf in Europe. I hesitated again. Then I wrote inquiring about it.
No word.
In May in the same week, two things happened. First, I
got a response from my email about this missions
trip. The people thought I wanted to start a deaf church. Defiantly, I said,
“No way!!” But the emails
kept coming, more to encourage the deaf church rather than any information
about the missions trip. I
thought that was strange.
The second thing was more bizarre. Sarah, my daughter,
was wishing for a deaf friend in Brampton. I said, “I
wish I could find a deaf friend for you”. I have an email list of 100
deaf in Ontario, but the last time
no one in the Greater Toronto Area responded. However, the very next day,
while at a local Harveys’ restaurant, 7 deaf adults walked into the restaurant.
God answered my wish.
Email addresses were exchanged and September is our target to get together.
I still was not thinking deaf church. I cannot understand them in ASL. I have little confidence.
Hello Moses, here comes Aaron.
June 5th, I met an area planter/catalyst who works with
church planters. He was the first human I met in
response to those emails back in April and May. He told me after listening
to me for about an hour, “I
have a surprise for you. There is a lady moving to Milton, from Calgary, she’ll
be teaching at the deaf
school, and she wants to help you start a deaf church”.
That is when everything came clear. In the last twelve
months, I’ve been searching to find what God had in
store for me along the lines of Evangelism. Something I could do. Something
I could handle. I was working in
a town that had no church. I was led to housechurching. Both those areas,
while holding some
encouragements at the time; did not answer my search. They were still my initiation.
The question haunted
me: was I truly being led of God.
This journey, each step, each person, each valley, each mountain-top experience; have all led to this:
EVANGELIZATION OF THE DEAF
Now I find the journey has just begun a new fork in the road.
At this juncture, I covet your prayers. The more information
I discover, the more the whole idea is not
mine, but Gods. The whole trip is His, I’m just writing the diary.
Would you join me in the journey. Pray with me. In Ontario,
Canada, and the world only 5% of the deaf are
saved. There is a start you can make to help.
It starts with prayer. Put it on your weekly housechurch
prayer list. Just start there. Ask God to
lead you to some deaf folk, if you don’t know any already. Don’t
look at the problems, I can help you
through those, just look for people. God will lead you.
He has confirmed to me, that the harvest is ready, and
it is huge. Will you come alongside?"
FOR A LIST OF RESOURCES TO ASSIST YOU IN REACHING OUT TO THE DEAF, click HERE