Home Church FAQ
- In Brief, What’s a House Church?
- It is a mid-sized group of roughly 25-50 intergenerational people gathering once a month for the purpose of a pot luck dinner and engaging communal worship. The hope is to create an accessible welcoming space to get to know people, serve, and reach out to others by inviting them to be a part of this home based community.
- What are the basic elements?
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- mid-sized community gathering
- intergenerational worship
- outreach
- Why is ECC organizing this way?
- There is a need at our church for a mid-size community that is organic in nature where people can go to get connected with part of the ECC body. Small groups are usually a more intimate setting and the lager gathering on Sunday morning is when we have opportunity to be with the entire body to glorify God in unity, love and presence.
- When would we like them to start?
- We are shooting for January or February, recognizing that leadership must be indentified and trained.
- How do we know what HC to be in, how is our body divided up?
- This will be a prayerful process for each group who are inviting others in and those who are seeking a House Church. Some groups may want to cluster because they live in the same neighborhood. Some may want to cluster because of a shared history they have together. Some may want to cluster based on an outreach emphasis. Each House Church will be different based on the people gathered, their heart, passions and interest.
- How long does a group last?
- Each House Church will last as long as that community is willing to be together. There will most likely be a core group that will hang together for an extended period of time and there will be others, when the House Church out grows the home, will want to plant a new House Church. Following how and where God is moving in the midst of a group of people is key.
- Who leads them?
- There will be people in our congregation that will be encouraged and trained as HC pastors. These folks could be individuals or couples and they will most likely gather a cluster of leaders around them.
- What if a House Church decides they want to be an independent church over time?
- Fabulous! Following God’s lead and leaning into multiplication seems to be what God does with groups of people who are deeply engaged with Him.
- Can you go to several?
- It takes time to find that special worshiping community. It’s really no different than finding a larger church body. To hop around from group to group for an extended period of time will probably hinder a sense of community, but it is also good to find a natural fit, especially if a person is new to ECC. Maybe think in terms of a year long commitment.
- What do we do with kids?
- Each HC will decide this as they grow and mature. Since the purpose of HC is to be intergenerational, it would be appropriate to figure out a way to include kids one way or another. Of course, each family is at a different stage of growth and development and will know best what will work for them in that setting.
- Does it replace a Small Group?
- A small group is 4, or 6, or at tops 12 people gathering for deep life processing, study and encouragement. This is not what a house church is. However, some small groups may want to be a core group for the larger House Church gathering. There can’t be tight lines drawn on how God wants to bring people together to fellowship and worship Him. House Church is meant to fill the mid-sized group void at ECC, giving those who are in small groups or just gathering on Sunday morning a place to get connected with 25 to 50 people on a regular basis.