Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - Mar/85

Contributor - Murray Moerman

Title - "The House Church"

Topic - Church Growth

Some churches call them "kinship groups", others call them "cell groups", or "growth groups ". But whether you call them one of the above, "home fellowship groups, "house groups", or something else, primary relationship groups are essential to a growing church. in fact, I don't know of a single growing church that doesn't have them and give high priority to sustaining and encouraging them.

Are "home groups" merely a fad utilized by growing churches? No, rather the house church is but a recovering of a basic New Testament structure of fellowship, ministry and pastoral care. The church began with them (Acts 2:46), continued in homes (Romans 16:5), and reflected a necessity first recognized by Jethro (Exodus 18:2 1).

Let me expand on the necessity of home groups:

1. Fellowship. Most people are capable of close personal relationships with no more than a handful or two of people. Even if a church has only 25 people it needs two home groups. in a home group a depth of sharing and fellowship, not possible on Sunday mornings, takes place. The relaxed atmosphere of a home makes this possible.

2. Ministry. The needs brought to church on Sunday morning cannot be met by a single pastor or the elders of a church. Most people are not prepared to snare personal needs in a large group nor is there time on Sunday mornings to deal with personal needs individually. In a small group people can share their situation in some detail, prayer can be extensive and personal, lay people can themselves be involved and grow in ministry and the needs of a large number of people can be met.

3. Pastoral Care. No pastor can do all of the counselling, visiting follow-up, absentee follow-up, and pastoral care needed by any group Of More than 50 to 100 people. But each home group leader can follow-up absentees, visit the sick, do most counselling, and generally care for a group of 10 or 12 or 20.

Leadership support and training is essential. The pastor should meet with his home group leaders (we call them "lay pastors" because they aye in fact doing most of the pastoral care in the church) monthly. The pastor disciplines these men and women and trains them to care for others. In addition we offer two weekend seminars per year to train, encourage and Ye -focus the vision of our lay pastors.

I believe that every person in the church should be assigned to a home group for pastoral care whether or not they attend their small groups. Most churches find their adult participation level in small groups range from 40% to 60%. Our goal this year is 75%. People can be assigned on the basis of geography or other common experience - young couples, single parents, retired persons, etc.

Groups should be led by two couples or one couple and one single person so that co-leadership is possible. Rarely does one person have all the gifts necessary to lead a group; one is a good small group facilitator, another a good worship leader, a third has gifts of gracious hospitality.

We ask all newcomers to the church to attend a four week orientation to the fellowship and the concept of home groups. We also invite non-participating members of home groups to attend. During these four evenings, we explain where home groups fit into our philosophy of ministry, why we believe them to be important, and model what is to take place. We worship, share "highs" and "lows" in our personal lives, encounter God's Word, and divide into 2's to pray for one another. Later we ask for a volunteer host home and constitute that group as a new ongoing home group. We do this four times a year. This brings all newcomers "on board" and has the benefit of training house churches how to function as house churches, instead of limiting our training to the leaders.

Home groups assimilate newcomers into the church, multiply lay ministry and pastoral care, gives everyone a "place" and a home to which they belong, develops the friendships everyone needs for personal support, gives the pastor a platform for developing new ministries in the fellowship, and watches the "back door" to keep drifters from slipping away unnoticed only to tell others:" No one cares."

Size, format, and content of home groups can vary; many fine books have been written and models can be found all around.

If your church does not have home groups ask your pastor to discuss it with the elders at their next board meeting. Don't be put off with: "We tried it once," or "We don't have adequate trained leadership." Rather train leaders now for next September, educate your congregation and plan to be successful, it's worth it.

A Word of Invitation

I have been writing this column for about a year and a half and am wondering whether where I am scratching is where you and your church itch. I would repeat from my first column that it is my purpose not to be theoretical or even particularly theological but rather practical. If you have questions or issues of a practical nature to which you think a response would be of help to 'You and perhaps other churches, please write. I will be happy to respond from time to time with a column of responses to questions or devote a full column to specific issues. My address is: 8765 Government Street, Burnaby, B.C. V3N 4G9.

It is my prayer that our efforts together may be used by God to expand His Kingdom in our nation and world.

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