I am very encouraged to see the ACOCF beginning to take shape. Equally, excited for fellow disciple brethren and his wife working side by side. It would be nice I think if I may have the honour to start of this blog by asking ourselves what is " House Church?' Is it any different from "Simple Church" or " Organic Church" or " Cell Church ?" Matter of fact the Christian Chronicle, vol 64 No.1 January 2007 list simple church /nontraditional churches as no. 6 as their top ten biggest news of 2006. I like us to think through/do research about how this movement started. How does that relate to ACOCF ie purpose especially for Uncle Sam when it comes to donations, is there a statement of faith or vision, is there membership involved, if a member should have different outright believes contrary to the Bible how do you discipline him/her? How about duties and powers of " House Church Officers " Thus, would ACOCF require Church Bylaws ? That brings us next to the question: Will ACOCF need to start a ministry legally? I understand that some are being look into as I blog, but others may need to be look into. Talking about Uncle Sam reminds me of this story if I may...
A robber was stealing precious jewelries, money from a house he has case for weeks. Suddenly, out of the darkness a voice said: Jesus is watching. The thief shine his light around and was trembling who said that. After awhile frantically searching saw nothing that would worry him continue stealing. Again, a voice cried out: Jesus is watching. Again, he shone his flash light and saw the parrot. The thief ask if the parrot spoke those words. Yes, was the reply. Who are you you silly bird. At once the parrot said I am Moses. Ha, who would name you with such a dumb name. Quickly, the parrot responded, the same person that name the Rottweiler Jesus !!
Dear Bro. Eric, From what I've checked from various sources, a House Church doesn't appear to have a lot of the pitfalls/restrictions that an institutionalized church have. For example, a church may need some protocol outlined as to how to handle a "problem" person who wants to enter their church building. A House Church, on the otherhand, especially if it moves from "house-to-house" is merely meeting at a private dwelling place and is subject to certain priority actions or control of the home-owner. (If a "house" church advertises and meets regularly, however, at one fixed location, that would be a different story.)
Thanks for starting the dialogue, Allen. I thought for awhile no one would be interested. We know why " House Church " was started among "Temple COC" asian group. I wanted ACOCF to be aware of the movement of house church, simple church, organic church, cell church. As you & I know that house, organic, simple church are basically the same. I wanted ACOCF to be aware that yes in Act 1:13 was the first recorded house/home church. Matter of fact the first three century christians met in homes. It is even documented by Clement of Alexandria. According to George Barna his estimation is 30,000 house church in USA. For a family to be healthy one must not conform by pressure ie must come Wednesday night, must worship together on Sunday morning etc. Rather, healthy family will serve with their gifts, offering insights, abilities where they are helpful, supporting each other. The key here is experiencing true relationship with one another depends ONLY on our LOVE for Jesus At the same time we must understand the disadvantage or weakness of House Church. If we depend on structures and gathering of what we call "Church- house or otherwise" rather than live a life dependent on Christ we miss the boat. I wanted us to be sure that subconsciously, we are not following the emerging church/movement just because ACOCF has bad experience. This is not to say emerging church is bad or wrong. Rather, my concern is foremost: TRUTH--we must never compromise but must accommodate. One should read Tim Keller: Advancing the Gospel into the 21st Century, Part 3. Can be found on internet as www.redeemer2.com/themovement/issues/2004/feb/advancingthegospel_3.html. Whereby he discuss about contextualization: " adapting my communication ofthe gospel without changing its essential character :.
This blogspot is run by " Eric" who currently is enrolled in Master of Arts in Christian Apologetics @ Biola University, Talbot School of Theology. He has a passion in sharing Christ with those who are searching for meaning and purpose in life. He is unashamed in proclaiming to be a disciple of Christ and willing to learn and share as he continue this journey on earth till His Lord returns. If you have problems getting on, please email him your inputs at equek@asianchurchofchrist.org and he can post it on the blog for you. For more information about our services, see our homepage at asianchurchofchrist.org.
The Asian Outreach Ministry exists to promote a simple, pure worship of God and Christian fellowship free of denominational traditions and rules with a focus on encouraging better understanding between Asian culture and the Holy Bible. It is open to all people who share in our hope to make the Gospel culturally relevant.
4 comments:
Like to thank our disciple brethren for setting this blog up. I look forward to learning, sharing and growing in the Lord.
Eric
I am very encouraged to see the ACOCF beginning to take shape. Equally, excited for fellow disciple brethren and his wife working side by side. It would be nice I think if I may have the honour to start of this blog by asking ourselves what is " House Church?' Is it any different from "Simple Church" or " Organic Church" or " Cell Church ?" Matter of fact the Christian Chronicle, vol 64 No.1 January 2007 list simple church /nontraditional churches as no. 6 as their top ten biggest news of 2006. I like us to think through/do research about how this movement started. How does that relate to ACOCF ie purpose especially for Uncle Sam when it comes to donations, is there a statement of faith or vision, is there membership involved, if a member should have different outright believes contrary to the Bible how do you discipline him/her? How about duties and powers of " House Church Officers "
Thus, would ACOCF require Church Bylaws ? That brings us next to the question: Will ACOCF need to start a ministry legally? I understand that some are being look into as I blog, but others may need to be look into. Talking about Uncle Sam reminds me of this story if I may...
A robber was stealing precious jewelries, money from a house he has case for weeks. Suddenly, out of the darkness a voice said: Jesus is watching. The thief shine his light around and was trembling who said that. After awhile frantically searching saw nothing that would worry him continue stealing. Again, a voice cried out: Jesus is watching. Again, he shone his flash light and saw the parrot. The thief ask if the parrot spoke those words. Yes, was the reply. Who are you you silly bird. At once the parrot said I am Moses. Ha, who would name you with such a dumb name. Quickly, the parrot responded, the same person that name the Rottweiler Jesus !!
God Bless
Dear Bro. Eric,
From what I've checked from various sources, a House Church doesn't appear to have a lot of the pitfalls/restrictions that an institutionalized church have. For example, a church may need some protocol outlined as to how to handle a "problem" person who wants to enter their church building. A House Church, on the otherhand, especially if it moves from "house-to-house" is merely meeting at a private dwelling place and is subject to certain priority actions or control of the home-owner. (If a "house" church advertises and meets regularly, however, at one fixed location, that would be a different story.)
: )
Bro. Allen
Thanks for starting the dialogue, Allen. I thought for awhile no one would be interested. We know why " House Church " was started among "Temple COC" asian group. I wanted ACOCF to be aware of the movement of house church, simple church, organic church, cell church. As you & I know that house, organic, simple church are basically the same. I wanted ACOCF to be aware that yes in Act 1:13 was the first recorded house/home church. Matter of fact the first three century christians met in homes. It is even documented by Clement of Alexandria.
According to George Barna his estimation is 30,000 house church in USA.
For a family to be healthy one must not conform by pressure ie must come Wednesday night, must worship together on Sunday morning etc. Rather, healthy family will serve with their gifts, offering insights, abilities where they are helpful, supporting each other. The key here is experiencing true relationship with one another depends ONLY on our LOVE for Jesus
At the same time we must understand the disadvantage or weakness of House Church. If we depend on structures and gathering of what we call "Church- house or otherwise" rather than live a life dependent on Christ we miss the boat. I wanted us to be sure that subconsciously, we are not following the emerging church/movement just because ACOCF has bad experience. This is not to say emerging church is bad or wrong. Rather, my concern is foremost: TRUTH--we must never compromise but must accommodate. One should read Tim Keller: Advancing the Gospel into the 21st Century, Part 3. Can be found on internet as www.redeemer2.com/themovement/issues/2004/feb/advancingthegospel_3.html. Whereby he discuss about contextualization: " adapting my communication ofthe gospel without changing its essential character :.
:)
God Bless
Eric
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