CO2 - Deceptively powerful

When Steve Jobs first presented the iPhone, there were millions of people saying to themselves, "Another cell phone... I've already got one of those... What's the big deal?"

Now, however, if you ask anyone who has an iPhone (including me) why it's "a big deal", they will keep you pinned down for hours going on and on about all the cool aps.

I think of CO2 in the same way.

On the surface, the CO2 can seem (pick one) mechanical, artificial, boring, uninspiring, basic, pedestrian. "Listening to God... Ya, I know how do that. What's the big deal? This is first grade stuff. Been there, done that. I'll be bored with this in two weeks. I'm looking for something really powerful! Something life changing! Got anything like that?"

I'm sympathetic to these comments because, on the surface, CO2 does look like just another gimmick. What has changed for me is that I've come to see CO2 not as a program with boxes to be checked but as the entrance to an inexhaustible gold mine. I've been doing it with a number of people (individuals and groups) for over a year and I'm not close to being bored.

What I've come to understand is that I will spend the rest of my life learning to pay attention to the heart that Jesus gave me. Learning to accurately notice and name what I'm feeling. Learning to understand what those feelings are telling me about what is going on inside. And, learning that same attentiveness to the hearts of my partners. And, most importantly, learning to accurately and deeply hear my Father's voice.

So, how to communicate to people the true nature of the CO2? (Just so we are clear, it's not really about CO2. That's just a container for these two rhythms. And, it's not even about the rhythms. They are just doorways to help us connect to the heart - my heart, your heart and God's heart. That's what's important!)

I have two thoughts on helping people "get" the CO2.

First, and most important, do it with them. Just reading about CO2 doesn't really do it justice. But, getting close to someone who is going deeper in learning pay attention to their own heart is a transformational experience by itself. And, connecting daily with someone who has an increasingly intimate, conversational relationship with the Father begins to create a powerful hunger within a person.

Second, tell stories. (One example is the interview we posted a few days ago with Tim Morris.) Paint the picture of what it's like to daily walk through the CO2 door with another person.

Show people what an iPhone can really do and most of them will be amazed and intrigued. They will begin to see that it's way more than "just another cell phone". They'll probably begin to want one for themselves.

Same with a CO2.

Your thoughts?

John

More from north Denver

Yesterday, I told you about a new MRT that has formed in the north part of Denver (centered in Brighton, CO) with Hobby Chapin and Robbie James. This is the third MRT in Denver. (Can you picture the day when there are dozens of MRTs in your city?)

The video below helps us imagine what the future might be like ...

1. It's a monthly regional gathering of house churches in north Denver that flows from Hobby and Robbie's MRT. Seven house churches are represented in this video. (Can you imagine dozens of regular gatherings like this in your city?)

2. It's a gathering that centers on listening to the Lord. In particular, notice how singing and worship is flowing from listening. (Can you imagine a growing multitude of believers in your city who are experiencing the reality of all of life flowing from listening to God? Worship, community, study, mission, etc.)

3. It's Hobby's first video! (Can you imagine a day when we have a huge library of powerful videos that help us picture every aspect of organic church life? That tell an "alternate story" about what church can be?)

Your thoughts?

John

Being "a community of practice"

This comment from Peg Batcheller is a great picture of our MRT Experiment functioning as a "community of practice". In this case, Peg in New Mexico is learning from Hobby Chapin in north Denver (see yesterday's post). I love it!

Hobby,

Thanks for this great description of what you guys are doing. I'm invited to meet with a group of women leaders in Clovis, NM, this weekend, and I was praying about what to share with them. There are about 7-10 women who are hungry to get something started there, with lots of passion but have little direction. Your post about your new MRT gives definition to what I need to share, so this is very timely. I ask you all to pray with me that God will move in an amazing way to raise up many CO2s and simple churches in the NE area of New Mexico and into Texas.

Peg

We'll be praying for you Peg. Let us know how it goes.

John

New MRT in Brighton, CO

Hobby Chapin is a church planter centered in Brighton, Colorado (north of Denver). He has been an important part of our Denver MRT for several months and recently felt the Lord leading him to start another MRT in Brighton with a fellow church planter, Robbie James. (I know... Hobby and Robbie!)

Here's Hobby's story...

Last month we started meeting as an MRT. We meet on Sunday nights from 9:30 to 11:30. We alternate between our homes and function out of our basements. We begin by checking in and prayerfully drawing out what is happening in our hearts. We have both had some heart issues concerning our families and our identities as apostolic leaders.

We have been doing some leveling early on to say where do we think we are going. We have made a list of the things we think will be on the horizon to address. I type up a summary each week. I listen before our MRT to see what God wants to talk with us about. After our check in, we both throw out a few things we think the Lord has for us to discuss. We put them on paper and expose them. Then we take some time to be quiet and listen together about the specific thing the Lord wants to say. When we break silence we both share what we heard and draw out what we think God is giving to us. So far we have talked a lot about households, the supernatural work of God, apostolic leadership, stages of equipping, and how to facilitate a group toward being in the presence of God and hearing from Him.

We have a vision to equip our leaders toward MRT. For the moment we feel like we need to invest with one another as a closed group. In a short time we have taken good steps toward building a foundation on which we can work together. We are in a time of narrowing our focus. The MRT has been a blessing for synergy. It has also been a blessing for our friendship. We are great friends and love one another deeply and value very much our opportunity to walk alongside one another in ministry.

What do you see in this MRT that encourages you? What do you learn from what Hobby and Robbie are doing?

John

More on our name

Hobby Chapin (Brighton, CO) asked some deeper questions about this issue of having a "name". I thought I would share with the rest of the MRT Community my answers to him.

*What do you and the team think Luke 10 is and what you hope it will become.

I see The Luke Ten Community as a starfish-type community or organization. It's DNA is a set of practices (like the rhythms of CO2, MRT, etc.) which reflect values (all the things, Hobby, that you and I have talked about... listening on a heart level to you, me and God; church = family; leaders = parents, mission flows from listening, etc.).

Luke 10 is also a set of relationships defined by people who are engaged in the practices. The level of commitment ranges from slight (one of the 550 people who has joined LK10.com) to significant (those who are participating in the MRT Experiment on a regular basis... as you are). People self-define their level of engagement.

What do I hope it will become? Seems to me that many in these early days of the house church movement are still reacting against the abuses of structure in the traditional church (spider-type organization). I think we have the opportunity to see a prototype for organic, starfish-type regional leadership teams. Could we dream of the day when there are a multitude of MRT-type teams in cities and regions around the world?

Why have a name and tag, etc. in the type of movement we are sharing? Names seem to be in the nature of being a community or family. (Of course, "names" in Scripture were always very important. In fact, "naming" was something God expected Adam to do back in the garden. See Gen. 2:19-20.) So, we have the Chapin family, the tribe of Benjamin, the Christians (Acts 12:26), the Nazarenes (Acts 24:5) etc. Examples from The Starfish and the Spider of names for starfish organizations: Alcoholics Anonymous, the abolitionist movement, Al-Qaeda, etc.

A name, in our case, becomes a short hand for our particular practices/values and our particular relationships. To say it another way, our name (and "tag line") should say something about our God-given uniqueness and calling. (For example, when I say "Hobby Chapin" a distinct and unique person comes to mind.)

Further thoughts about "naming"? And, about "The Luke Ten Community" as our name?

John

Your thoughts on... our name

We asked for your feedback a few days ago on a "tag line" for this ministry. You gave us some great input! We haven't come to a conclusion on that but will let you know when we have.

Today, we want to work backwards to the name itself. We've been using "The Luke Ten Community" because of our believe that Jesus most clearly explains His strategy for the expansion of His Kingdom in that chapter. And, we are a "community" connected by common values. (Think "starfish" instead of "spider".)

So, what's your response to that title? Does it communicate what we want to communicate? Do you have other suggestions?

We want your thoughts on this.

John

CO2: From theory to real life

We've been discussing the theory of "churches of two". Today, I want you to hear a real story of transformation and healing.

Pictured to your right is Tim Morris, a graduate of Denver Seminary and a house church leader here in Denver. Recently, Tim Pynes had a conversation with Tim (Morris) about how God has used the rhythms of the CO2 to bring deep healing in his life. Go here to hear the podcast: http://storiesfromtherevolution.blogspot.com/2010/04/c02-potential-for-inner-healing.html

What do you learn from this story that gives you a clearer understanding of the CO2 rhythms? What questions does the story provoke for you?

John

Abilene MRT

Since MRTs are such a new concept, there's value in describing what what they look like. Who attends? Where do they meet? What do they do?

There are now MRTs meeting in 14 different cities/regions. They are all similar and yet unique. Paint the picture of what your MRT looks like for the rest of us.

Here's a picture from Abilene, TX sent from Ron Longwell on 4/6...

Had breakfast this morning with my friends Kent and Austin. It's been two weeks since I've been able to be present (hence, no recent blog posts). We had a great visit at The Town Crier.

Since we hadn't had any real time to talk over the past few weeks (at least for my part), we spent the bulk of our time checking in and catching up, which we all needed. We've all had some interesting things going on in our personal lives, and we needed to share them with one another. It occurred to me that perhaps this is the first priority of an MRT - since all ministry is relational ministry, the MRT serves, first and foremost, as a venue for relationship-building with the people with whom we share a common ministry role.

Without overwhelming you all with the fine-grained details of our conversation, one theme seemed to stand out above all others this week: There is a tremendous need for discernment, clarity, and attentiveness in our walk with God. As we follow him, we are very aware that the devil is constantly at work trying to derail us. And in my judgment, he's not likely to try to pull most of us into debauchery or hedonism. He's much more likely, I think, to try to pull us off in a GOOD direction other than the one in which God is leading us.

Furthermore, we all have self-ambition, pride, ego, arrogance and other unsavory impulses lying somewhere beneath the surface of our faith. Even when we're listening to the Lord. The Lord is in our thoughts (this was an amazing revelation to me a few years back) and we can hear a word from him. The fly in the ointment, so to speak, is that I'm in my thoughts, too! And you see, I'm the problem. I'm the one who WANTS to hear God affirming my choices, blessing my bigotry, and encouraging me in my desires...

All this is why we need each other so very much. A word from the Lord is awesome, but sometimes I need someone outside my head to verify whether or not the word I've received is from the Lord and not from the gremlin within me.

It's also why it's good if my community is made up of some people who aren't exactly like me. What if we all have the same frustrations with traditional church, the same immaturity, the same sense of entitlement, the same political leanings, etc.? All these things represent my own personal matrix of resistance to the Spirit's leading. Said another way, all these things constitute the soup through which I must look as I try to see God, the noise I must filter as I try to discern his voice.

In the end, we must come before God prostrate, as people who know that we need to be led. We must come with empty hands, cleared agendas, and perspicuously open hearts. Our churches must be made up of such people. As people who will plant and lead churches, our MRTs must really be made up of such people.

What do you see in Ron's picture that you can bless? What does the picture of your MRT look like?

John

CO2s and discipleship (4)

As I mentioned yesterday, the value of a "church of two" is that it makes listening to God our "prime directive". And, that listening is both the source and goal of disciplemaking. Here are a few implications...

1. CO2s major in modeling. This is always the starting point in making disciples. In this case, my disciple gets to hear on a daily basis what I'm hearing from the Lord. Chadd calls this: "Trying to live a centered life in the sight/presence of others over a long stretch of time." Paul says: "Those things you have seen in me..." (Phil. 4:9)

2. CO2s adapt to the person and the season. This simple tool is equally powerful with brand new disciples or seasoned believers. God speaks to each person according to their God-given design and according to the season of growth they are in. He (not I) knows exactly what they need at this point in their lives.

3. CO2s turn concerns into conversation. "I'm concerned that we are not spending enough time in the Bible" "Well, let's ask the Lord what He wants us to do about that." "I'm concerned that we are not being very missional." "Well, let's ask the Lord what He wants us to do about that." "I'm concerned about this ongoing problem/sin in my life." "Well, let's ask the Lord what He wants us to do about that." You get the picture. CO2s continually direct us back to the Source. Everything flows from there - spiritual disciplines, missional living, community, etc.

4. CO2s create dependency - on Jesus. My daily question to my CO2 partners is: "So, what are you hearing from the Lord?" As Chadd said: Knowing and living as if I know that I am not their answer--that Jesus is their answer.

5. CO2s are transformational. Transformation is never guaranteed. But, by keeping our focus on the heart - my heart, your heart and God's heart - the opportunity for deep and significant change is maximized.

6. CO2s are viral. They are both simple and sticky. Sneeze-able. We've already seen multiplication to four generations in several cases. (See the "Four Generation" posts.) I expect we will see many more stories like this over the next year.

Back to Noah's original questions: "My question is - how is CO2 similar to and different from what we would call "Discipleship"? My growing conviction is that the two rhythms of a CO2 are both the source and goal of discipleship.

Is there a "step 2" for CO2 that leads to discipleship of some kind?" When we start with the CO2 rhythms, the Lord then leads us to a multitude of exquisitely designed "step 2s" (and 3s and 4s and 5s and...). What is fun is to be part of a community that is telling stories about the stunning beauty of His hand-crafted and unique discipleship "program" for each one of us!

Your comments?

John

CO2s and discipleship (3)

Here are my answers to the questions I posed yesterday. These answers represent a radical paradigm shift from my early training as a Christian. See what you think.

What was Jesus' "discipleship program"? One day I saw something that seems so obvious now. Jesus didn't have a discipleship manual. Everyone I knew had a discipleship manual with steps and chapters and assignments. Not Jesus. And, He really didn't have a discipleship program or curriculum in the way we think about it.

What He had was a relationship. Jesus' "program" was a relationship. An intimate, daily, conversational relationship with His Father. And, everything (really! everything) flowed out of that relationship. Everything Jesus did was what He saw His Father doing. Everything Jesus said was what He heard His Father saying. See Jn. 5:19-20; 8:28-29; 12:49-50; 14:10-11; 15:15.

How did he know what to teach His disciples? See the answer above. He didn't consult a manual. He didn't try and figure out what they needed next ("I don't do anything on my own initiative.") Instead, I believe, in every case He talked it over with His Dad. "What do you want to do next with this one?"

What was He discipling them into? He was discipling them into the same relationship with the Father that He had. This is the monumental significance of John 16. Jesus: "It is good for you that I am going away." (v. 7) Why? Because the Spirit of truth (the paraklete), who speaks only what he hears, will guide you (the word means to lead down a path) into all truth (v. 13). In other words, the Spirit will enable you to live the same way I have lived.

So, we could say that our entire discipleship "program" can be expressed in nine words: Listen, obey and teach others to do the same."

Does any of this relate to CO2s? Absolutely! Because CO2s make hearing God the "prime directive". From this conversational relationship everything else flows in a very natural way. This is the source or wellspring for all discipleship. I'll say more about the implications of this tomorrow.

Your thoughts?

John

CO2s and discipleship (2)

Here's Noah's question again: "My question is - how is CO2 similar to and different from what we would call "Discipleship"? Is there a "step 2" for CO2 that leads to discipleship of some kind?"

I've been a part of dozens of "discipleship programs" over the last 50 years.

These programs have involved various plans to read the Bible, to answer questions about the Bible (fill in the blank), to memorized verses from the Bible, to interpret the Bible correctly, to apply Biblical truth, etc. They have involved various kinds of prayer - confession of sin, intercession for others, praise and worship, journaling, silence, solitude, fasting, etc. They have involved other Christians - praying together, praying for, accountability to, etc. They have involved concern for the lost - praying for them, sharing with them, inviting them to come to church, caring for their needs, etc.

I'm sure you all have done much the same.

Everything on that list is a good thing. These are the things that most Christians would call "discipleship".

However, I want us to press into a slightly different question. What would Jesus call "discipleship"? How did Jesus go about "making disciples"? How did He know what to do next? What did He want his disciples to be able to do when He was physically gone?

Your thoughts?

John

CO2s and discipleship

Many thanks for all of your help with a "tag line" for LK10! You've given us a lot to chew on. We'll let you know what we come up with.

Here's a great question from Noah Cremisino (Noah - tell us how your early days in New Zealand are going.)

"My question is - how is CO2 similar to and different from what we would call "Discipleship"? Is there a "step 2" for CO2 that leads to discipleship of some kind?"

This is an excellent question for the whole MRT Community. You may also want to discuss it in your local MRT. I'll add a couple of related questions...

What was Jesus' "discipleship program"? How did he know what to teach His disciples? What was He discipling them into? Does any of this relate to CO2s?

Looking forward to your insights on this!

John

Tag line? (2)

You've contributed a number of good suggestions about a tag line for The Luke Ten Community already. Read through those suggestions and respond to what the Community has written as well as the ones I suggested yesterday.

I think of The Luke Ten Community as two things. A set of values and a set of relationships.

A set of values. This is what holds a starfish organization together. (Spider organizations use hierarchy for this.) It's our DNA. Values like "mission emerges spontaneously from listening". Or, "church = family = church". Much of this is spelled out in the Seven Practices in The LK10 Invitation at LK10.com.

A set of relationships. The Luke Ten Community is also made up of people who resonate with our values. Particularly those people who have something apostolic in their souls. Some longing in them to see vibrant families of Jesus multiply across a particular chunk of real estate. Some in the Community are connected very loosely. (Over 500 people have signed up at LK10.com.) Some are much more closely connected - like those of us in this MRT Experiment.

So, how do we communicate this in a tag line? How do we express something of the uniqueness of our calling? How do we provoke a curiosity for wanting to know more?

Love to see your thoughts on this.

John

Tag line?

We need your help on something.

We are trying to do a better job of communicating to people who we are and what we feel God has given us to do. For the brochure, we need a title and a tag line. Our title or name is: The Luke Ten Community. As you know, this grows out of our conviction that it is in Lk. 10 that Jesus gives the clearest description of His strategy for the expansion of the Kingdom. What we need help with is the tag line. Here's some ideas we've come up with so far...

The Luke Ten Community: Vibrant. Viral. Spontaneous.

The Luke Ten Community: Releasing churches that are vibrant, viral, spontaneous.

The Luke Ten Community: Transforming cities one household at a time.

The Luke Ten Community: City transformation one household at a time.

The Luke Ten Community: A community of practice for church planters.

I'm picturing two kinds of readers/audiences. The first is potential members of our Community. That is, men and women who are called and gifted to plant house churches. The second is potential donors. People who may be called to support this vision financially.

Which of those tag lines communicates the best? (Or, maybe you have a different one to suggest.)

Thanks for your help on this!

John

Another "Four Generations"

The comment below from Peg Batcheller (New Mexico) on the "Four Generations" post seemed important for several reasons...

1. It's another example of CO2 spreading through four generations.

2. Peg is great example of what Noah and Kent said in the previous post about "in the right hands..."

3. It illustrates that CO2 is just as effective with Peg's Hispanic women (who probably don't have a lot of formal education) as it is with Hobby's seminary trained men.

4. Peg is also an example of a female apostle (May her tribe increase!)

See what you think...

I had the privilege of being in Albuquerque when this first came about at the conference John led. As I shared at the H2H conference in Dallas last year, when I heard and understood CO2, it's like God said, "Peggy, this is for you. You've waited all your life for this, and this is what I planned for you. You can do this." It's like everything I learned in 40 years of knowing Jesus culminated in this. I share it with people all the time. Just last week I shared it with 2 Hispanic women, and encouraged them to be a CO2. I also invited them to be a CO2 with other women in the neighborhood, and immediately their eyes opened and they caught it. One of the women does a CO2 every night on the phone with her husband who was deported back to Mexico. From John to Peggy to Cecelia to Juan, to the community.

I also want to mention the CO2 I have with Richard in Pueblo, CO. He & I meet by phone every night with SASHET & Virkler. He has also shared CO2 with many husbands and wives throughout SE Colorado. They are learning the value of opening up their hearts together and learning that family=church. Who knows how many families are now being affected there? I know many here in Albuquerque continue it as well.

Your comments?

John

In the right hands

My sense is that we need to camp on the topic of CO2s for a bit at this point.

Noah Cremisino (now in New Zealand) commented on the "Four Generations" post that he had shared CO2 with his simple church in Denver (before he left) but that he didn't think anyone had continued with it. Then, Noah wrote, "This is obviously not the end, but I think in "the right hands" it's a powerful tool."

I believe Noah is exactly right. A CO2 isn't for everyone. Because, you see, this isn't Christianity as most Americans have experienced it.

But, when you find the right people. God prepared people. People hungry for heart-level intimacy with God and others. When you find those people, some amazing things are about to happen!

Kent Smith responses to Noah along these same lines...

I'd like to reflect on Noah's good observation, "in the right hands, it's a powerful tool."

CO2 is a simple--and powerful--way to pay attention to 3 realities most people know little about and rarely notice, namely:

1) Our own hearts (what—sure enough—we really want)
2) God’s heart (what God really wants)
3) The hearts of others (what others really want)

A major reason these realities are little known or pursued is because we have been systematically taught that, a) what we really want is dangerous or just doesn’t matter, and that, b) what God really wants beyond generic truth is—practically speaking—just guesswork on our part.

Under those convictions it’s no wonder that a set of disciplines focused on listening deeply to God and people seems a royal waste of time or worse.

True knowledge, that is to say, intimacy, comes only to those who believe in it, want it, and doggedly pursue it. For such people, the rhythms of attention in CO2 can be transformational, and for that reason, highly transferable.

From my perspective, those would be “the right hands.”

Your thoughts?

John

Four Generations

There's more to say about "small groups vs house church" but I wanted to go a different direction based on an email I received today from Hobby Chapin (Brighton, CO) who is part of our MRT Experiment. Hobby's email showed the viral nature of the CO2 (church of two). Here's the story...

Generation One. Almost a year ago, the Lord brought the basic elements of the CO2 together for me while I was doing a conference in Albuquerque. I invited the people at the conference to try it out over the summer.

Generation Two. A number of us in Denver connected with Hobby last summer. (He very much seemed like an answer to the 10:2b prayer!) Some time during the fall, I invited him to do a CO2 with me for a couple of weeks. Hobby immediately "got it" and began teaching it to people in Brighton (where he is planting churches just north of Denver) and other places.

Generation Three (a). Hobby has taught CO2 to quite a number of people. One of them is Charles Kiser who is a church planter in Dallas. (In Hobby's email today, he pointed me to Charles' blog.) Here's what Charles had to say, "I’ve been enriched in the past few weeks by an emerging structure for spiritual formation called Church of Two... The benefits of Church of Two are immense: it has helped me stay in touch with myself much better; I’m learning to listen to others at a deeper level; I’m learning to listen to God and discern what I’m hearing in times of stillness; I’m learning to have times of stillness – period; it’s a great tool for discernment and decision making; it has helped me to connect to old friends on deeper levels." Read all of what Charles had to say here: http://inthestoryline.com/2010/04/08/church-of-two/

Generation Four(a). In his blog, Charles explains that he is doing CO2 with a number of people including his co-worker, Ryan Porche, and Paul McMullen, a church planter in East Vancouver (WA?). See http://www.thevinevancouver.com/

Generation Three (b). Hobby also taught CO2 to Micah Lewis, a church planter in Grand Prairie, TX. Micah reports: "Much of the listening to God that I have been doing lately has been through some guidelines that are called CO2 or Church of Two. The idea is that you listen together with another person on a heart level as you listen to God and let him speak to your heart. I have been mentored in this discipline by my good friend and fellow Mission Alive church planter Hobby Chapin. Hobby has been practicing this listening for a while now and has found it to be very helpful in discipleship and transforming people to live missionally. I have found this practice to be the most exciting spiritual practice I have ever done. I don’t even think of it as a practice but simply as pouring myself into a relationship with God."

Generation Four (b). Micah is now "infecting" someone else: "I have started a CO2 with a good friend that I work with at Starbucks. We check in almost everyday, sharing the state of our hearts and talking about how we have been hearing from God. It is really exciting to see how God has been at work in both of us as we listen to him. If you are interested in learning more about the details of this practice, Hobby has started a blog that unpacks some more of the details of CO2. Check it out." See Micah's blog here. http://micahlewis.wordpress.com/2010/02/18/co2-church-of-two/

So, we are seeing more and more evidence that this simple tool (CO2) is both transformational and viral. Your thoughts? (Also, love to hear any generational stories you have about CO2s!)

John

Small groups vs house church (4)

The question once more: "How is a small group different from a house church?"

See the excellent comments in the last couple of days around the idea that a small group is often just a weekly meeting whereas house church in Scripture is seen as family. This leads to Marty's question which is about leadership...

"...how is leading a small group different from leading a house church?"

As a starting place, let me suggest that if

Church = family

Then, it follows that

Leaders = parents

What do you think? Can we say that the leaders of a house church should function as spiritual moms and dads? Is this supported by Scripture? What does it feel like to talk this way?

John

Small group vs house church (3)

Our conversation about small groups vs house church was provoked by some excellent questions by Marty Reiswig (Denver): "...how is leading a small group different from leading a house church? What kind of transition coaching will we need to provide? What training is needed?"

One major difference we have identified so far is that house church is fully church. Not just one program of a larger church. Something to go along with men's groups, women's groups, choir, missions committees, etc. Because a house church is a "real" church, it follows that the sacraments (or ordinances) take place there - the Lord's Supper, baptism, etc. The "priesthood of all believers" can blossom in this context.

I want to introduce another distinction between typical small group thinking and what house church is supposed to be. (Obviously, we are generalizing here because some small groups within traditional churches are much more vibrant and transformational than some house churches.)

Small groups are often seen as a program. A meeting that occurs one a week. And, so, to respond to Marty's question, we teach people how to "lead the meeting". (How to construct the "program", how to welcome visitors, how to lead the Bible study, what to do if someone talks too much, etc.)

House church, on the other hand, in Scripture, is seen as family. Here's a simple equation that explains a great deal. Church = family. This is a major paradigm shift from traditional thinking about small groups.

Your thoughts about passages of Scripture that bear on this? And, if it is true that "church = family", what are the implications for leadership? For training?

John

Your comments

Yesterday's post and video is a good place to pause for a moment to engage with our MRT Community. Here are a couple of early comments about that video...

From Noah Cremisino (who is just arriving in New Zealand)...

I am getting SO PUMPED watching this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is what we've been praying for!! ....I actually see and feel life transformation... not just talk and theory, but actual ACTION and PASSION. The Kingdom of God will not grow without the transformative and active power of the Spirit of God PULSING through the veins of His followers.Make us ALIVE, Father!! Let us radiate you passion so that others would see you and know you as their Creator and Restorer!Would love to see and hear more!


From Chris Jefferies (England)...

Thoughts and feelings (about the video)? Just - WOW!!! :-)My main thought was, 'Enthusiasm - for Jesus'. We should all be like those students. If we're not, why not? He's the same Lord of Lords and King of Kings. I'm going to show this video to as many people as I can.


From John White (Colorado)...

Some nameless person who understood the power of story simply captured on video what God was doing and shared it with the rest of us. So, have you bought your video camera yet?


Go here to watch the video if you haven't already and then read through the comments. What is the Lord saying to us as church planters through this video?

Here's the link http://regionalrevolutionaries.blogspot.com/2010/04/small-groups-vs-house-churches-2.html

John

Small groups vs house churches (2)

Twenty years ago, I was one of six ordained pastors on the staff of an Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EPC) of about 3,000. In addition to the six of us who were called "Teaching Elders", there were another 12-15 lay people who were called "Ruling Elders". According to the Book of Order of our denomination, we, as Elders, were the only ones who were allowed to officiate or serve communion. If a small group wanted to take communion, they would have to invite one of us to come to their group.

So, this is another way that small groups and house churches are often different. (Although, not every denomination or traditional church has these same "rules") A house church is fully "church" and not just one of the ministries of the larger church. That is, it's members are free to do everything that a "real" church does - including communion and baptism.

Take a look at the video below about college students planting churches on their campuses. About a minute and a half into the video, one of the leaders makes a very important comment: "The moment the works of the Scriptures are taken out of the hands of common people and put in the hands of trained professionals the movement ceases to move forward."

In house churches, "the works of the Scriptures" are placed in the "hands of common people". The priesthood of all believers moves from a theological concept to everyday reality.

What kinds of thoughts and feelings do you have as you watch this video? Pay close attention to the students doing the baptizing.

John

How are small groups different from house churches?

Where do we find "houses of peace"? A couple of days ago I suggested : It may be that the small groups and cell groups in traditional churches have been an important training ground for house church leaders. (George Barna has thinks that perhaps a million people a year are leaving traditional church!)

Marty Reiswig (Denver) responded: That's an interesting thought. And if that's true, how is leading a small group different from leading a house church? What kind of transition coaching will we need to provide? What training is needed?

Great questions, Marty! Maybe the first question is: "How is a small group different from a house church?" Obviously, there are similarities. But, what are the important differences?

Answering that question will help us think about how leading the two kinds of groups might differ. And, then we can think about what kind of transition coaching and training might be needed.

Let's throw that out to our MRT Community and see what we come up with.

John