The Rhythm of our House Churches

“So, how exactly do house churches at Renew operate?”

We get this question quite often.

Each house church operates on what we call a “monthly grid.”

What we’re trying to do is provide some helpful direction and embed some strategic DNA without over-structuring the process.

What we don’t want to do is hand each house church shepherd a 1200 page manual and force them to work through it for the next 14 months before they become a leader of a house church. Instead, we provide our house church shepherds hands-on practical training and give just a few “rails to run on” and turn them loose. We encourage each house church to develop its own “personality” while still embracing and living out the values of the kingdom in the context of Renew’s unique expressions.

We give each house church a grid that includes only three things:

1. Exploring (2x/month) – each house church meets in someone’s living room to explore the Scriptures together to learn more about the Story of God and Man and discover what role we have to play in that ever expanding and unfolding Story. These times also include discussion and storytelling, a time in prayer, singing (if people in the house church are musically talented). Many house churches regularly share a meal together (where everyone pitches in and contributes). One house church is discussing Genesis, another is studying Mark and another is exploring poverty in Scripture & our response to it as followers of Jesus.

During the exploring time we encourage our house church shepherds to explore a passage and ask five questions:

(1) What’s going on in the passage?
(2) What do you like about this passage?
(3) What do you not like about this passage?
(4) What does this say about the character of God/Jesus?
(5) How can I/we apply this our lives very specifically and practically – within the next seven days?

2. Serving (1x/month) – each house church has ‘”adopted” a place where they are serving on mission beyond themselves in the name of Jesus. This could be a family, an organization, an elementary school, the needs of their own neighborhood block or another organization working to meet people’s needs. Specifically some of our house churches have adopted Manna on Main, the local chapter of Habitat for Humanity, a group home for mentally handicapped individuals, and a family that is struggling to make ends meet. Last week one house church served in the inner-city (Kensington) with Urban Hope while another house church served by collecting and donating 820 pounds of fresh produce for four area food pantries.

 

3. Celebrating (1x/month) – each house church hosts a party once a month. While this may sound strange, we feel it’s an important part of being the body of Christ. While followers of Jesus are seldom accused of throwing great parties or being known for being celebratory people, we should have a reputation for this! Jesus described the kingdom of God as a party (Mk 14:15-24). We believe that to be the people of God it is essential in understanding and expressing the hope that we have. We also believe that relational connection is essential for building strong communities – where we know others and are known by others. These parties could be the Super Bowl, a picnic at the park, hosting a Wine Tasting party, playing board games, attending a Phillies game together – whatever. It could be a lot of planning or very little. It can be a trip somewhere or in someone’s home. It doesn’t matter – as long as there is laughter and celebration and connection happening, we don’t care! We also believe this is a great time to invite others who are skeptical about church to come and join us as we have no other agenda other than to hang out, spend time together and party.

At the end of each month we ask each house church shepherd: “Did your house church explore (twice), serve (at least once) and celebrate (at least once) this month?”

Each house church can choose their own personal rhythm – when they meet (i.e. it could be every Tuesday night at 7 pm or they could change it up every single week…they can operate on a set schedule or change up the order of the grid each month. It’s simple enough that they choose what that looks like for their house church).   Certainly, they can meet more than that if they wish, but we ask that they develop a rhythm that involves these three areas.

We believe that this “monthly grid” is simple.  These rails to run on allow our house churches to be biblical, personal, portable (or reproducible) and viral.  It’s flexible and allows each house church to have its own personality.  And it’s been fun to see each house church’s personality emerge!

You don’t have to be spiritual.
You don’t have to a follower of Jesus.
You don’t have to have it all together.
In fact our only rule is that no perfect people are allowed.

Interested in knowing more about house churches or want to consider being involved in one?
Contact Tracy at tracycommons@gmail.com