House Churches - a PrimerSýnishorn

What is a House Church?

You may have heard the terms “house church,” “home church,” “simple church,” “New Testament church,” or “small groups.”

As for what these are, all of them, except for “small groups,” are identical. They usually describe the same thing, and the different names can be used interchangeably. It just depends on your personal preference.

The most common names used are “house church” or “home church,” and it’s also something of a geographic thing. According to one survey, in the USA, the term “home church” is used more often than “house church” (roughly 55% “home church” versus 45% “house church”). In other parts of the world, they are more commonly called “house churches.” But what’s in a name? They are basically just different terms for the same type of church.

A house church, as the name implies, is a church that gathers in the warm and familiar setting of someone’s home. This home may serve as a consistent meeting place, or the venue may rotate to different homes, fostering a sense of shared ministry and community among its members.

But “small groups” can be a bit different. While a house church is undoubtedly a small group, small groups are often also associated with a larger church.

Large churches sometimes have smaller groups that meet to share the ministry of the main church. Small groups may be resourced by the main church. The main church defines the meeting rules and processes, and the small groups are accountable back to the main church.

Unlike small groups, a house church operates with complete independence, answering only to God. It sets its own meeting rules, guidelines, and standards, reflecting the unique needs and beliefs of its members. The house church is sustained by its members' contributions, and these dedicated individuals carry out its ministries without the need for paid ministers.

A house church is a church in its own right, just as larger churches, which may or may not have a small group ministry, are churches in their own right. The distinguishing factors of a house church are that they are independent, run in a house or home environment, and the ministry of the house church is done by the house church.

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Remember, church is not a church because it’s in a big, fancy, or impressive building. It is believers coming together to praise, worship, and learn from the Lord wherever they may meet.