Comments on: Why I’m Not Planting a House Church

By: Marshall Diakon

Marshall Diakon — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 15:53:17 +0000

Nathan, there is a compassionate conflict within us regarding the "narrow gate that leads o life", for how few will be passing through that gate (according to Jesus). Yes, we would like to see our whole neighborhood, city, country… the world walking toward the salvation that is in Christ.
How do men and women come to enter the Good Shepherd's narrow gate?
Answer well, and our own mass salvation plans for the world will fade.

By: learn to study the b

learn to study the b — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 03:51:18 +0000

A little bit of web browsing and found your weblog seems to be a bit screwed up in my K-meleon browser. Although luckily hardly anyone makes use of it anymore but you might want to look into it.

By: nathancreitz

nathancreitz — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 14:51:34 +0000

Mary, I have definitely gleaned some great insights from PDC. I've also appreciated stuff I've read from the presbyterians, the evangelical covenant church, and the southern baptists. We don't have to reinvent the wheel but we do need to be sensitive to the Spirit when it comes to determining the approach to reaching our neighbors and planting churches. Thanks for your comment!

By: nathancreitz

nathancreitz — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 14:49:48 +0000

Thanks Rob, I'm glad you are thinking through your context and praying about what is appropriate. I think the bottom line is how has God wired you, the planter and what are the needs of the community. If that's a house church then I say go for it! Sounds like God has something different for you and that's great. We need the foot to be the foot and the hand to be the hand if you know what I mean!

By: Mary

Mary — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 05:35:47 +0000

I'm a lay person and have no experience starting a church. However, I read Purpose Driven Church and was blown away by it. I hope everyone who thinks about starting a church reads it. It may not be for everyone but I got some great things out of it – like know who you are targeting! =)

By: Father Robert Lyons

Father Robert Lyons — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 11:58:13 +0000

Thank you for putting some words behind the struggle I am currently having as I seek God's guidance in planting a church in my new home town. As a liturgical Christian, I don't feel the house church environment is the best forte', but I struggle with how God is leading me in planting a congregation our area, located south of Indy's suburbs.

My prayers for your work, and I would cherish your prayers for mine.

Rob+

By: Felicity Dale

Felicity Dale — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 10:59:28 +0000

In our city, house churches and mega churches are beginning to work together. One of our local mega-churches is starting house churches. The question we ask ourselves, "What could God do in our city if it doesn't matter who gets the credit?"

Since many people will never darken the doors of a church building, why not use house church principles as a means of outreach. But if you want this to multiply, the new believers never become part of the original church.

By: Bob Mayfield

Bob Mayfield — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 20:56:35 +0000

Very interesting post Nathan. I agree, it takes all types of churches to impact lostness in a culture. I really like the way you have addressed an issue that you are dealing with and then how you responded to it. Some folks respond very well in a house church environment, others respond to the gospel better in a more liturgical church like Redeemer Presbyterian in NYC. And some will receive the gospel in a neighborhood church of a couple hundred folks. Why not plant them all kinds!

My view is that we need to have churches and pastors who have a vision not only for their neighborhood, city, and state; but also for the entire world. I am reminded of the Old Testament Great Commission given to Abraham in Genesis 12:3 "…in you all the famiilies of the earth shall be blessed." (that's ESV btw). Paul prays for the salvation of an entire nation (Israel) in Romans 9:1-5 and again in Romans 10:1. In the Great Commission texts in Matthew 28:18-20 and Acts 1:8, Jesus gives us a global vision to a) make disciples; b) witness, to the entire planet. To redirect one of your quotes: Every person deserves to hear the gospel. That includes Boston and Botswana!

My point here is that Jesus was telling us that the church needs a global gospel presence. It includes your town, my town, and towns we've never heard of before. So go plant that church brother, and may your tribe increase!

By: Steve L.

Steve L. — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 13:11:24 +0000

Interesting thoughts Nathan. I like how you think things through and share them like this, probably knowing that you will always have to face those who agree with you, as well as those who don't. It's one of the many challenges you have chosen to undertake, and I admire you for it.

What jumps out to me, is that you have good points about a few different ways to start a church- that there is often more than one 'right' way to do the things God has provided us to do. There are many ways to reach people, and we may be wrong when we act as if there is one way that's always best, or another way that never works. I like your point that there are probably ways/methods that are more appropriate for different given situations, and that you are willing to use whatever avenues you believe best. It takes great discernment to know what to do when, and how to go about it.

As someone pointed out, it's really God's responsibility to take what you offer and use it: our efforts are useless on their own. I believe that more or less any form of church, as long as it fulfills the requirements of a church, can be used by God. Not to get all relativistic here, but I've always believed it's more about HOW you do something than it is WHAT you do that is most important.

Keep a close and healthy relationship with God, do as you believe, and let God use and bless your work for his kingdom. Anyway, just some of the thoughts this brings to mind this morning. Keep at it Nathan

By: bjones

bjones — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 15:13:53 +0000

yo dog, like how you are thinking. i have had a lot of thoughts lately that i am trying to put together. we should chat.

one thing that I am thinking through now is how to think about a few questions…or maybe how to ask them. 1) would Jesus "attend our churches"? i keep going back to his comment that we will worship neither on this mountain or that, but in spirit and truth. Just trying to envision that mindset with Christians today. 2) would he "pastor" a church? 3) I am also thinking about Christians as "little christs" and thinking what should our world look like if millions, thousands, or hundreds of christs were dropped into different communities. what would happen?

Finally, i think that there is a reason the focus of the gospels are on Jesus loving discipleship relationship with the 12. It was his primary focus. I think that trying to do any sort of regular "event or service" makes it hard to focus on discipleship; even in the house church setting. There are expectations, and so much focus needed for the event time, that it makes it difficult to truly focus on displaying love the way Jesus calls us to. I'm not saying its impossible. but you know me and my heart and I can assure you that if i had to start over from scratch, my focus would be on learning how to love rightly and letting church spring from that, with no conceptions as to how that should look.

still praying and working through "how" that works now. I think the only model is love. not institutional or house or whatever….THE MODEL IS LOVE.

speaking of, love you!
b