Frequently Asked Questions
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House Church (HC) is a model of church that addresses some of the obstacles of traditional Sunday-service church. Some of these obstacles include:
• Difficult to experience the kind of deep and meaningful fellowship seen in the New Testament and that we all long for personally
• Difficult to evangelize the unchurched
• Difficult for everyone to serve as a member of the body of Christ
HC seeks to address these obstacles through a weekly gathering of “families” coming together in a home over a shared meal together and under the care and leadership of Shepherds.
The benefits of House Church include (but are not limited to):
• It is a more effective evangelism and discipleship method
• It lends to a tighter knit community
• Everyone is given an opportunity to serve
• Greater personal purpose and joy
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House Church is for those seeking to find purpose, non-believers, unchurched individuals. It provides a comfortable, non-threatening environment for people to attend church, ask questions about God, Christianity, and other religions, and receive Christ as Lord and Savior. People will experience God and transformation in their lives through honest sharing and answered prayers that is cultivated through the gospel-centered environment that HC provides.
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No. House Churches aren't small groups, bible studies, or book clubs. House Churches are a place to love one another like family, share a meal and our lives together, as we focus our attention on Jesus and all He has done for us. We are devoted to prayer. We also want to make Jesus known to everyone, everywhere and House Church allows for a comfortable environment for people to come and be a part.
Here are some statements that may help you to understand HC:
HC is just as much “church” as our Sunday gathering.
HC isn’t just a “ministry” of the church, HC is church.
HC primary focuses are: the experience of gospel-centered family & relational evangelism.
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Each HC is led by two layleaders called, "Shepherds". Their job is to facilitate the gatherings, pray for members during the week, model servant-leadership to their members, and help their members grow spiritually.
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While it is important to learn Christianity from a pastor and through sermons, it is also vitally important to learn from followers of Jesus who are walking the walk on a daily basis. The purpose of House Church is to invite people to learn about Jesus by experiencing his love in a Christian community.
We hope that you take that step in your spiritual journey to learn more about why following Jesus is worth it.
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House Church - not a bible study, fellowship, or prayer meeting; this is church
Relational evangelism - Living in such a way that your faith is obvious and being intentional to share the gospel in the context of close relationships
Shepherds - the lay leaders of the House Church (usually a married couple)
VIP (Very Important Person) - unchurched, unbelievers whom we pray for, invite, and lovingly share life with as a House Church
Multiply - When a House Church exceeds 12 adults on a consistent basis, that House Church multiplies into 2 House Churches.