House Church

Why House Church?

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

Who is House Church for?

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.

Is House Church basically a small group?

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.

Who leads House Church?

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.

Why is House Church necessary?

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.

Defining Terms

House church - not a bible study, fellowship, or prayer meeting; this is church.

Shepherd(s) - the lay leaders of the house church.

VIP (Very Important Person) - unchurched and de-churched unbelievers within our reach whom we pray for, invest in, invite, and lovingly share life with as a house church family.

Multiply - When a house church exceeds 12 people on a consistent basis, that house church multiplies into 2 house churches.