Here is the super-duper, expanded, fully revised, expanded edition of the updated chart with new insights from our online discussion.
This continues the discussion thread from three days ago that can be accessed here.
Small Groups vs. House Churches |
|
Small Groups
|
House Churches
|
Generally defined by affinity |
Generally defined by geography |
Subgroup of larger
|
House church is the
|
Has to get permissions
|
Has authority to decide
|
Limited in time |
Continuous over time |
Contractual community |
Covenanted community |
A slice of something larger |
The whole pie |
Usually centered on single
|
Wholistic, dealing with the whole
|
More content or leader dominated |
More participative for all
|
A few involved
|
Entire body takes on responsibility for teaching, care and correction |
Control
|
Freedom
|
Pastors and leaders “Doing” |
Whole body involved in “Doing” |
Focused on addition
|
Focused on multiplication
|
Below, I have attached links to two articles by and an interview of Jim Eliff. Jim is a man I admire who has a seasoned voice on the issues raised in our discussion.
Keep planting churches for the glory of God.
“An Appeal for the Use of House Churches to Extend Sanctuary-Style Churches”
“The House Church way of Life”
See also the complete discussion that yielded the chart at: http://chosenrebel.wordpress.com/2010/02/02/small-groups-vs-house-churches-whats-the-difference/
ChosenRebel's Blog 
Marty, have followed Jim and CCW for about 10+ years! Met one of his fellow pastors at T4G in 08 in Louisville. http://www.ChristFellowshipofKC.org is quite remarkable. Another house church site is http://www.ntrf.org and http://www.searchingtogether.org Hope this adds! David Burkhardt
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One of my former students interned with Jim and Christ Fellowship. They are doing great things.
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