Tuesday is for Preaching
What does preaching look like in a house church?
There isn’t just one answer to that question. In some, there is no preaching. In some, everyone preaches. In some, preaching is more conversational. In some, it is very much like the preaching that you would hear in a more traditional church setting.
I want to hear from some of you house church planters and attenders out there. Tell my readers what it looks like, who does it, what is its length, what do you like about it, is it ever evangelistic …?
Here’s the ground rules:
- No bashing of traditional patterns. (respect your brothers)
- No long winded answers. (I keep my posts under 500 words and will edit answers that are longer than 300 words. So edit your comments or I will. Better you than me)
- Tell us at least one unique advantage to preaching in a house church.
- Try to stay away from comparisons. “Well in my old church, preaching was … Now …” (Make comments that can stand on their own.)
If you are interested in entering into an earlier version of this question click here. That was a 43 comment thread that was insightful and, mostly, respectful.
ChosenRebel's Blog 
In our meetings, one person may lead and do much of a teaching and others join in a discussion, either asking questions or adding insights. On other nights, everyone shares from their own devotions or study of scripture.
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I go to a traditional church but I also attend another meeting during the week that operates more like a house church.
1) We eat together and fellowship. This is optional and sometimes I can’t make it for this.
2) We have a time of singing and praise.
3) One week we will have teaching. The next week someone will give a testimony.
4) We break up into small groups, mens group’s and women’s groups, and use a support group format where there will be a focus question. Each person shares their thoughts, struggles, victories related to the focus question or anything else in their life but we restrict our comments, focused on our selves rather than others. We try to keep to a five minute time limit. Since each person has a different perspective, experience and gifting this can be a wonderfully uplifting and educational experience.
5) We eat dessert and fellowship. If someone needs counseling it can happen during this time.
It takes 3.5 hours. It works well for me. I am having more victories than defeats and think I live more effectively and with more influence as a result.
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One of the best things about house church is the intimacy you achieve with those you are with. You begin to take care of each other. With Agape love you truly care for and pray for each other and your problems. The men give the lessons. I like that you are free to chime in with answers and questions. You are truly a part of the Body of Christ. We call and encourage each other several times a week to support and encorage anyone who is going through a tough time.
Meals are made for the sick, visits are made for those needing a personal word, you become a family.
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Nice blog!
I think you might enjoy mine too.
Been housechurching and planting
for 30 years now. We don’t do sermons
because the New Testament church did not.
In fact it should be called the dialogue
on the Mount. Everything we do is interactive
and conversational.
My blog is about Jesus, church and everyday life
with a Star Trek theme.
http://notesfromthebridge.wordpress.com
LOve,
Christopher “Captain” Kirk
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First of all, don’t forget the sisters! 🙂 At The Refuge house church, the atmosphere is very laid back. In the beginning there is lots of conversation. We then move into praise and worship which is mostly acoustic. Then, I give a brief message (about 30 minutes). We take time to write down and pray for every prayer request and then we all eat lunch and fellowship at the end.
The good thing about a house church (besides rolling out of bed and being there already on Sunday morning) is the relational aspect. The group is close-knit and that has been so encouraging. It’s also a safe atmosphere for people who don’t feel comfortable in a typical church setting.
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