It was the famous Baptist preacher from London’s Metropolitan Tabernacle, Charles H. Spurgeon who once said, “Every Christian is either a missionary or an imposter.” As we try to share some of the amazing stories of people that we have met and situations that we have heard about over the past six weeks of travel, you will see why I provide this heading to this week’s House2House newsletter.
If I had to try to detail the key issue that I think the Lord was impressing on Felicity and I throughout this time of travel and meeting so many others on the house church journey, it would be the concept of building an infrastructure. What do I mean by this. Neil (Cole) tells the story of the Lord asking him how would he handle it if the Lord brought 10 people to Christ in Neil’s church today. What about 100 this week. What about 1000 this month. What about one million this year! These questions from the Holy Spirit prompted Neil journey into the “organic/simple” and easily reproducible world. This is very similar to the questions being poised, particularly by those from India who are seeing the most massive growth of house church movements of any place on earth, including China! With one group of networks having baptized around 300,000 in one day earlier this year, and with a vision to transform what is rapidly becoming the most populated country on earth, it is clear to them that they must have an infrastructure ready for what God is doing.
So what is He doing here? How you answer this question will probably shape how you give of yourself, your time and your money! I believe that God is moving millions into simple church structures in this country, because He then wants to use those millions to reach the rest of society for Himself. I don’t think that the extraordinary number of believers moving into house church life is because God primarily wants to bless his Church, but rather because he wants to bless the world! It is still true that “God so loves the world that He gave,” and that is why “as the Father sent me (Jesus) so I send you.”
In the coming weeks leading up to Christmas and the New Year, I plan to expand on these ideas. If 2010 includes a call to action for those of us who are being blessed by this house church journey, then it is vital to find clarity and move into action as the Holy Spirit directs. I, for one, want to see what God is doing and join Him in it.
Rather than pro-long this e-letter, let me quickly mention a couple of key opportunities that you may want to have in your calendars.
- The mega-micro thing is developing some amazing traction. Here in Austin, from Feb 4-6, a group of mega churches is hosting a conference to explore the role of missional communities (house churches)! Check it out at www.verge2010.org , and come if you can. Let any traditional church pastors that you know who are wanting to learn about what is happening come to this time to learn from those who speak their language.
- Check out this link for an amazing article in a Kansas City paper about The Rock, a network of home churches that is transforming some inner city areas on block at a time. Awesome!
- At this link you will find Wolfgang Simson’s report on the Global HC conference that we just came back from in India.
- Felicity and I were also just on an extensive internet radio interview about house churches that you may enjoy to listen to here. Kenny Russell, who was interviewing us for this program, has also just recently interviewed Rad Zdero. You can pick up that interview at this link.
Please note: the above links are tools. Use them, and pass them on. Don’t just enjoy the links for yourself, but make them a way to let others know about the explosion of Holy Spirit activity within the house church world.
Enough! More to follow in a few days.
Tony and Felicity and the H2H team.
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Recent Stories:
Each week H2H publishes a story/article about simple church and/or living out our life in the Kingdom. Recent stories include:
- What I would have done differently By Guy Muse
- SIMPLE / HOUSE CHURCH REVOLUTION By Roger Thoman
- The Collective Power of the Weakest Parts By Mark Willis
- What Happened at Yesterday’s Gathering By Mark Willis
The Rabbit and The Elephant We match Amazon’s Price!By Tony & Felicity Dale and George Barna
Today’s Western culture is indifferent to church and Christians. Yet the early church existed in far harsher conditions—and it thrived. Much like a new litter of rabbits, the infant faith quickly grew and spread. And the result was a world transformed.
In The Rabbit and the Elephant, Tony and Felicity Dale (Simply Church) and George Barna (Revolution) say that the same thing is happening today. As Christians, we are the church – whether we meet in office buildings, college dorm rooms, coffee shops, factories, or homes – and the Holy Spirit uses us to expand that church to the far reaches of the globe. By practicing “simple church,” we’ll find that a small gathering of friends loving Jesus together and reaching out to the community around them can help us to be the church, the way God intended.
The rabbit and the elephant. Something small and something big. Find out what lessons they hold for you, for the body of Christ, and for the future of church as we know it.
From Eternity to Here: Rediscovering the Ageless Purpose of God
By Frank Viola
Deep within God’s Word lies a wondrous story like no other. A drama that originated before time began. An epic saga that resonates with the heartbeat of God. A story that reveals nothing less than the meaning of life and God’s great mission in the earth. From Eternity to Here presents three remarkable stories spanning Genesis to Revelation. Each story traces a divine theme that is woven throughout Scripture. Seen together, they offer an extraordinary glimpse into God’s highest passion and grand mission. What you discover will forever change your view of life, the church, and our magnificent God.
Organic Leadership
by Neil Cole
What are the weeds that hinder the natural growth of godly leadership? Are programs, people, and money truly the signs of a successful church? Where can you find an unlimited source of leaders? How do you mentor others so that they multiply? In Organic Leadership, Neil Cole asks these questions and more, boldly challenging many of the ideas about leadership and church life that we all take for granted.
House2House is a donation supported ministry.
