Getting Started
Look up! That big sheet being lowered from Heaven by its four corners just might be a clean piece of paper. It’s time to think differently. You’re starting a house church.
Stop boxing the air with unproductive busyness. If what you’re doing isn’t working, pray for new ways, then try them in a house church. You might emerge into a new era of ministry.
How does one go about starting a house church?
Beacon has wrestled through this whole notion of house church by searching the Scriptures. We also continue to observe what works in our house church network and have corresponded with dozens of other leaders and participants. Seemingly every day someone contacts Beacon to ask questions or share experiences.
Below are some gleanings to consider…
Who should lead house churches?
Those who can teach and care for others. Those who are willing to take responsibility and put their own wishes on backburners. Those who will teach others by example to follow Jesus. (See more about Leadership here.) [link to Leadership page]
Launching on a high note
House church planters should set clear, high expectations from the beginning and then follow through. Everyone needs to know their participation is expected—even needed—and not optional. Participants should know what they are getting into; raising the bar after someone has already joined a church can trigger a disruptive exit. Churches also should be planted with a goal of a biblical vision for the church, not in reaction to the churches they came from or as a way to achieve the planter’s personal vision.
A foundation of health
House church planters should be connected, not isolated or autonomous. A healthy leader maintains ties to prior fellowships, as Paul and Timothy demonstrated. A planter might move to a community to start a church, but the intent is to train new leaders.
Our experience suggests that transitioning an informal home group into a house church seldom ends well. The house church planter should step away from the group, start a church with high biblical expectations, then invite others to join.