July 26th, 2010 by Craig Wilson
Critics of house churches often say that they can be (and many times are) weak in the areas of doctrine and clear exposition of the Scriptures.
In our house church we work very hard to make sure that we are not guilty on either count. We take the time to explain Bible doctrine as we work our way exposistionally through the passage of Scripture we are studying that week.
For the summer our church has undertaken a study of the book of Philippians. For the past three weeks we have been looking closely at Paul’s instruction to the church in 1:27 where he charges them to live a manner of life worthy of the gospel of Christ. Each week as we have studied this passage together I have realized some things that I find to be unsettling, unsettling because I see how so many churches are missing the mark that God has clearly defined for them.
First of all one of the themes of the book of Philippians is the subject of unity. Anyone who has been associated with the church for any length of time will know that the unity of the church is a very fragile thing and can be easily shattered. That is why Paul tells the church at Philippi that must have the same mind, and that they must be striving together for the sake of unity. He encourages them to have the mind of Christ in their dealings both with those inside the church and those outside the church. He gives them and us the example of Jesus Christ and the mind that he displayed where he always put the interest of others before his own. I came to the conclusion that if churches would truly take these words to heart it would overnight solve most if not all of the internal battles that characterize far too many churches.
Paul goes to say in verse 12 that they are to work out their own salvation with fear and trembling and then he goes on to explain exactly what that means. To work our their own salvation (again these words are written to the church) means that they would do “all things without grumbling or questioning”. What would be the result if they obeyed these commands? They would “shine as lights in the world”, in other words their testimony, their lifestyle would stand out in stark contrast to the darkness of the world around them. The gospel would clearly stand out! The difference the gospel makes would shine brightly! The power of the gospel would blaze brightly through the darkness of this world that is characterized by fighting and strife on every hand!
That’s why I say many churches are missing the mark. They are not striving together for the sake of unity, they do not exhibit the mind of Christ and they do everything with grumbling and complaining! Is it any wonder then that so few churches are shining brightly in the darkness of this world?
Tags: church, gospel
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July 12th, 2010 by Craig Wilson
I’ve pretty busy the past few months and haven’t taken the time to post many updates, but hopefully I will be able to publish a post at least once a week.
Our church has now been meeting in a home for almost a year now. In fact it will be a year in less than four weeks. Our church has seen it’s share of high’s and lows during that time. We have had members who have had to be away from their family and their church family for months at a time. We have had others who have been out of work. One of our college students spent four months in Scotland to study abroad. We have seen the birth of a new baby along with the other normal highs and lows of life. Read the rest of this entry »
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February 14th, 2010 by Craig Wilson
The more that I’m a part of the “simple church” or the “house church” there are more things that I appreciate about it.
For the past two months we have been engaged in a detailed study of the 119th Psalm. Each week we take it section by section and explore it in-depth. Last week we finished the eight section and I thought that would be a good point to take the time for a review. So after I finished teaching last week, I asked each person to come prepared to tell what they had learned from the study and how they were applying that knowledge. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: ho, house church, organic church, simple church
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January 22nd, 2010 by Craig Wilson
I believe that the Bible teaches that God is sovereign, totally absolutely sovereign in all things. Not some things but in all things. We must be very careful to not let the God’s sovereign control lead us to make the mistake that our actions really don’t matter. The thinking goes if God is sovereign then it is what it is and my actions really don’t matter much at all.
In the Scriptures there are some things that create what I refer to as “tension”. One of those tensions is if God is sovereign then why are there so many commands and exhortations in the Scriptures given to me to play an active role in my own spiritual development? For instance what did Paul say to the Philippians?
“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”(Philippians 2:12-13ESV)
Don’t let Paul’s words confuse you, there is no contradiction, but there is a tension. We do have some “doing” in spiritual growth, while at the same time we are confident that God is working as well.
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Tags: christian, christian life, doer, doing, God, hearer, scripture, sovereign
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January 12th, 2010 by Craig Wilson
As I have spent a good deal amount of time researching the subject of the House Church or the Organic Church I’ve had the opportunity to speak with people who have left the I.C. as they call it (I.C. stands for Institutional Church) They are quick to point out all the flaws that they see in the IC and don’t get me wrong all churches have enough flaws to go around. They use these apparent flaws as the reason they have left the I.C. They say they long for a truer expression of their faith in Christ and they postulate that they can find it in the house church. Yet when they are given the chance to attend a house church and begin to more fully experience their faith in Christ, they still don’t show up! So I wonder is it really the problems with the I.C. or is that just an excuse to stay away from church?
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