In larger homes, they could have seated as many as 150. Perhaps some congregations were large and therefore met in big buildings, but this is an argument from silence. Rather than growing a single church bigger and bigger, consider sending off clusters of people to start new small churches. When one pastor of a church composed of home-school families was asked if his church had a youth pastor, he replied it had not one but twenty youth pastors—each family’s father. But the network of tiny house churches scattered throughout the Roman Empire did experience their oneness in Christ so vividly that they were able to defy and eventually conquer a powerful, pagan civilization. Why? Sacred Scripture has provided us with a map of God’s footsteps: in recording the mighty deeds of God, specific places have been named as the settings in which God’s plan for our salvation gradually unfolded. The temptation is to enjoy this growth, allowing the original church to get far larger than a typical church of the apostolic era. . Church hostess Lydia was a prosperous businesswoman who sold expensive purple fabric and could afford servants (Ac 16:14). The church was depicted by apostolic writers in terms which describe a family. One known ancient home that hosted a church was the Lullingstone Villa in Kent, England (built during the Roman occupation). There are both advantage and disadvantages to small churches. However, what happens when they marry and have children? Jews claimed an ancient tradition with law codes for daily life (the Laws of Moses) and revelations from their god through Prophets. There seems little doubt that these informal gatherings of small groups of believers had great influence in preserving the simplicity and purity of early Christianity.” Enough believers were able to gather in the villas to make disciples, manifest a variety of spiritual gifts, have multiple people with the same gift, support widows and orphans, have a plurality of elders and financially support qualified pastor-teachers (who were thus freed to be devoted to in-depth teaching and leadership). A home-school family’s thinking is often based on such truths as, “Folly is bound up in the heart of a child” and “the companion of fools will suffer harm.” Because children are foolish, putting them all together in a school classroom may be a recipe for spiritual and social disaster. It was right and natural, they argue, for each church to grow beyond the confines of a home, building larger and larger places to meet. While recognizing various powers in the universe, Jews nevertheless differed from their neighbors by only offering worship (sacrifices) to their one god, Yahweh. And when a brother or sister fell into sin, the others gently restored the straying person (Mt. God used these house churches to turn the Roman world upside down (Ac 17:6). Starting a house church cannot be just a good idea; it must be a Godidea. A Woman's Place provides an overwhelming sense of community that women of the early church shared. 1. Posted Sep 10, 2020. The first step to starting a house church is to pray. Referred to as house churches today, in their own time, these Christians would have thought of themselves as the Church and the place where they assembled as someone’s house. 12:26). As public speaking is a great fear, participatory meetings are best suited to smaller gatherings composed of people who all know each other and are true friends. One of the more surprising revelations in his book is how few Christians comprised the Church in Corinth. Size plays an important role in this. It is a design axiom that form follows function. Paul tells of women who were the leaders of such house churches (Apphia in Philemon 2; Prisca in I Corinthians 16:19). Discussion Questions 7. Though Scripture never states such, it is quite likely that churches also met in tenement housing called. The overwhelming majority of churches today, however, do not provide the context in which brothers and sisters can encourage, admonish and disciple each other. In 313 AD the Roman Emperor Constantine granted full religious tolerance to Christianity and other religions – and since then the construction of dedicated church buildings started. Paul claims that during these gatherings, the fact that some were well-fed and getting drunk while others went hungry, proved that their meals failed the test of a genuine Eucharist (1 Corinthians 11:17-22). Some couples who leave a small church upon having children will return after their children are grown. This custom of … It was not unusual for strangers to be in and out of a home. The legacy of a faithful small church will outlast a larger, entertainment-oriented congregation. Apart from home-schoolers, expect an exodus to a larger church with a first-rate children’s program. The home should have a large assembly room and ample off-street parking. For example, Aquila and Prisca held church meetings in their home (1 Corinthians 16:19). The meeting room measured approximately 15’ x 21’. 2:5-11; Gal. This is good. Train up new leaders from within. In short, involvement with a smaller church can be a wonderful blessing with strategic, divinely-designed advantages. 1. We desperately need new settings and structures for watching over one another in love.” 2. It is possible to observe the same process occurring in the re… Further, a wall had been removed between adjoining rooms creating a 714-square-foot area. Based on archeological findings in Corinth, it is very unlikely that Paul is addressing a Church of more than 50 people. Was Jesus’ ministry a failure? 8. Measurements taken from schematic. Participatory Worship: Early church meetings were clearly participatory. The early church, of course, did not always fully live out the New Testament vision of the body of Christ. A large auditorium of people, most of whom are relative strangers to each other, will not easily achieve these goals. Listen to Our Talk on Strategic Size Consequently, Christians are to relate to each other as members of a family (1Ti 5:1-2; Ro 16:13). [I wrote a blog series explaining the marks of a biblical church.] Acts 2:42 - And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of … The many “one another” exhortations of Scripture can be more realistically lived out. God’s people are thus seen as part of God’s household (Ep 2:19, Ga 6:10). One challenge in worshiping in a home today lies in the fact that modern homes are often far different from first-century Roman villas. Most non-Catholic faith groups within the Protestant wing of Christianity accept the former beliefs. Though house churches were at the opposite end of the spectrum from modern mega-churches, it is important to avoid the mistake of thinking too small. Let us strive to faithfully follow the example of Christ and the apostles in our churches and ministries today. This was probably because of the large size of the home and the financial ability of the host to provide much of the food for the love feast. Proof The temptation is to enjoy this growth, allowing the original church to get far larger than a typical church of the apostolic era. On the other hand, Barna’s study found that singles under 35 were more open to attending small churches. If 40 or 50 were to have gathered in one of Corinth’s larger houses, it would have taken at least two rooms to accommodate them. By modern standards this would seat about 50 people. This includes the house/home churches who attempt to emulate the early Church organization. The Matthew 18 restoration process detailed by Jesus clearly assumes more than just “us four and no more.” There was a single congregation meeting in Corinth at the time Paul wrote; counting the various people using their spiritual gifts in 1 Corinthians 14 adds up to a healthy number of believers. God’s people are thus seen as part of God’s household (Ep 2:19, Ga 6:10). Spacious living rooms were often built off this courtyard. The church was depicted by apostolic writers in terms which describe a family. Resource Allocation: Charles Price, late Director of Missions for the San Antonio Baptist Association, lamented that the typical cost to start a new church in North America is an astounding two million dollars. The Christians did not side with the Jews in their revolt against Rome beginning in 66 A.D., and by the end of the first century the church had largely separated from the synagogue. They also probably had more of an Asian mindset to crowding than we do in the West; there may have been 150 people in an early house church. When a person or church experienced economic trouble, the others shared without reservation. The Catechism describes the Church as “the family of God” (§ 1655). Participatory Worship: Early church meetings were clearly participatory. This would seat around 100 people.         Scripture indicates that the early church met in the private homes of its more affluent members. Furthermore, there were typically multiple generations of family living under the same roof. Though house churches were at the opposite end of the spectrum from modern mega-churches, it is important to avoid the mistake of thinking too small. Special thanks to Stephen David of Hyderabad, India for significant contributions to this section. Forty may be a safer guess. Robert Banks, Paul’s Idea of Community: The Early House Churches in Their Historical Setting (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans Publishing, 1988), 41-42. Other early churches also met in homes. This would seat between 60 and 80 people. . Participatory worship fits smaller settings better and the things shared are much more meaningful. For example, a Barna Group’s study on why small churches don’t grow revealed that people with children are often looking for a church that offers an impressive children’s ministry, which in turn requires the funding for first-class facilities and to hire competent personnel, something smaller churches have financial difficulty doing. One known ancient home that hosted a church was the. The epistles of the New Testament written to churches were all written to congregations that met in homes. Some argue that Roman villa sized churches were characteristic of the church in its infancy, but not in its maturity. Read More What does that mean for us? In early Christianity, there were no church buildings. Churches from the 1 st through the 3 rd centuries took classical Greek and Roman architecture in … They were big, semi-public houses. Consequently, Christians are to relate to each other as members of a family (1Ti 5:1-2; Ro 16:13). It will likely create a contagious excitement that will cause numerical growth as well. There are no professionals in charge; they often have no leaders. Pattern First, thank God for the years you had to make disciples of these Millennials before they moved on. Further, in a large congregation, the pastor necessarily functions more like the CEO of a corporation or, worse yet, like a king over his own kingdom. Proverbs 22:15, 13:20. Church buildings would not be built for another 200 years. They are called brothers and sisters (Phm 2, Ro 16:2). The Jerusalem Church had thousands of members meeting house to house. Congregational Consensus: The New Testament church had a plurality of clearly identified leaders (elders, pastors, overseers), yet these leaders led more by example and persuasion than by command.         Reformed scholar William Hendriksen said, “since in the first and second centuries church buildings in the sense in which we think of them today were not yet in existence, families would hold services in their own homes.”  Of course not. The church at Dura-Europos occupies a midpoint in the evolution from early house churches to the monumental buildings of the age of Constantine. Having too many people in attendance can serve to defeat the purposes for holding a church meeting in the first place. Small churches align very much in size with apostolic churches that met in Roman villas. 1 Corinthians 15:33. The many “one another” exhortations of Scripture can be more realistically lived out. Why Do Newly Planted Churches Grow Faster Than Older Churches?”. Therefore, the church grew and expanded as a largely Gentile community from 49 to 54 A.D. There are over fifty of them, such as love one another, give preference to one another, encourage one another, agree with one another, accept one another, submit to one another, etc. There were tragic lapses. Look into renting an apartment clubhouse, dance academy, storefront, school cafeteria or community center. Build reproduction into the DNA of the church. 5; 2 Cor. The practical reality of the priesthood of the believer was lost until the Reformation. Church hostess Lydia was a prosperous businesswoman who sold expensive purple fabric and could afford servants (Ac 16:14). 6:1-3). If you feel that you are called to start a house church, gather a few like-minded people together and begin to pray so that you can receive a strategy from God. Written before any of the Gospels, it is the earliest known written tradition concerning the Last Supper. Continually teach the men to be the leaders in their homes and the church. DURA EUROPOS AND THE EARLY CHRISTIAN ‘HOUSE CHURCH’ BACKGROUND When Christianity emerged in the late antique world, Christian ceremony and worship was much more private—even secretive—than it would become in the later Medieval periods. After suffering several national defeats by the Assyrians in 722 BCE and the Babylonians in 587 BCE, their prophets claimed that Go… A loving, family-like atmosphere is more easily developed.         According to W.H. 2; 2 Jn. . In keeping with the New Testament example, the ideal size for a congregation might be the same number of people that would fit into a first-century Roman villa (which, by the way, is more than will fit in a typical modern home). Achieving consensus is possible in a church where everyone knows each other, loves each other, bears with one another, is patient with one another and is committed to each other. . Size plays an important role in this.         There are both advantage and disadvantages to small churches. And when a brother or sister fell into sin, the others gently restored the straying person (Mt. Photo: St. John’s Episcopal Church Intimacy is lost. One known ancient home that hosted a church was the Lullingstone Villa in Kent, England (built during the Roman occupation). How do you feel about this? . on Saturday, 11 April 2020 at 5.17 pm by Simon Sarmiento categorised as Church of England. What should be done in a situation where a home is simply too small to host a church meeting? The sisters and brothers were available to each other, liable for each other and accountable to each other. Worship was generally conducted in the atrium, or central courtyard of the house.”, The early church continued this practice of home meetings for hundreds of years after the New Testament was completed. Traditionally, meals would have been served in the triclinium, a dining room where guests would recline on couches which took up a lot of room. A home-school family’s thinking is often based on such truths as, “Folly is bound up in the heart of a child” and “the companion of fools will suffer harm.” Because children are foolish, putting them all together in a school classroom may be a recipe for spiritual and social disaster. No one can better describe the early Christians than Mathetes who was a 2nd century Christian. . For all their scandalous behavior, we are grateful to have Paul’s response to the Corinthians. What can be done? House churches are legitimate. House Church and Mission will stand as one of the most important studies on the First Century church. Acts records 120 believers assembled in the upper room of a house. Large crowds are great for special praise concerts, seminars or evangelism, but the weekly church gathering is to be about something more—mutual edification, accountability, encouraging one another, the fellowship of the Holy Meal, strengthening relationships, building consensus, etc. Nominal Christianity is harbored as it becomes easy to get lost in the crowd. Early churches meeting in Roman villas typically consisted of scores of people, perhaps over a hundred, but not hundreds and certainly not thousands. Free Help Teaching Strategic Size There were no more people in any one congregation than would fit into a wealthy person’s home (in the atrium, courtyard, or large living area). 5; 2 Cor. Yet even in the absence of persecution, might the apostles have intended to lay down a purposeful strategy of smaller congregations? The early Christian community started as a house church. Registration: Pastors' Workshop on Growth Strategies of the Ancient Church, New Testament Church Dynamics: Leader's Guide to Church Growth, Église-maison: simple, stratégique, biblique (French book), • Pastoring Strategy >>To Lead Like Jesus, • Covenant, Dispensational & New Covenant Theology Compared. What psychological impact might the size of a church meeting have on the actual meeting and people themselves? New leaders should be continually trained from within to go out and start new works. In addition, the household employed servants and their families. It could, according to the Yale archaeologists who excavated it, seat 65 to 70 people. A hallway between them led into the home’s atrium. Joel Comiskey, writing in Christianity Today, described what the early church was like. What evidence is there that persecution was not the only reason the early church met in homes? Lane Dennis, ed. The practical reality of the priesthood of the believer was lost until the Reformation. Apart from home-schoolers, expect an exodus to a larger church with a first-rate children’s program. The record in the book of Acts tells us that 'They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to … Having a plurality of pastors in a church is unlikely in too small a setting (Acts 14:23). J. D. Douglas, ed. There were tragic lapses. Through his tent making work, Paul was able to support himself and his traveling companions, some seven men at least (Acts 20:4, 34). Today, as always, we can see God’s footsteps, if we are looking for them. First, thank God for the years you had to make disciples of these Millennials before they moved on. Kingdom minded older congregations may be willing to let you use their building after their services are over. Ronald Sider, Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger (Downers Grove, IL: IVP, 1977), 190-191. In addition, the household employed servants and their families. Commit to being a small church that starts new small churches that start other small churches. An informal, smaller setting is an effective place for the building of consensus. Don’t rule out the possibility of meeting in someone’s home—under the right circumstances it can still be a viable option (see our, ow many people were involved in an early house church? What constitutes a successful ministry anyway? What importance do you see in Paul’s teaching that we who gather together in Christ’s name are the actual Church, rather than the building in which we gather? Instead of getting bigger and bigger, purpose to maintain the New Testament example of Roman-villa-sized churches. Why might the apostles have laid down a purposeful pattern of small churches? “House churches played an essential role in the rapid growth and ultimate triumph of Christianity, and it’s safe to say that the first three centuries belonged to the house-church movement. We long to see the Lord’s churches full if such growth represents people being reached with the Gospel and made into disciples. However, what happens when they marry and have children? Get the Book A hallway between them led into the home’s atrium. Were house churches simply a response to persecution, or could they also reflect a purposeful size strategy for most effective ministry? The Revd Peter Anthony, Vicar of St Benet’s, Kentish Town in London has recorded a half-hour talk on why what we’re doing now is not a copying of the house churches of the patristic era.. View it here on You Tube.I strongly recommend this video. According to Yale University archaeologists, “The first Christian congregations worshiped in private houses, meeting at the homes of wealthier members on a rotating basis . It was not unusual for strangers to be in and out of a home.         According to Anglican priest and evangelist David Watson, “For the first two centuries, the church met in small groups in the homes of its members, apart from special gatherings in public lecture halls or market places, where people could come together in much larger numbers. Luke’s account of the Last Supper (Luke 22:14-20) bears the closest resemblance to Paul’s account. What are some simple steps modern families could take to make their family homes something of a house church? New churches grow faster than larger ones. One-Another Ministry: The Scriptures are full of “one another” commands. Though it is a simple step, without prayer and God's leading, we invite trouble. Don’t rule out the possibility of meeting in someone’s home—under the right circumstances it can still be a viable option (see our book for more about modern house churches). 2 Timothy 4:2. The larger the congregation, the less family-like and the more impersonal the Lord’s Supper as a true meal becomes. These were the first churches in the world and these house churches appeared in the ancient cities of the Roman Empire around the 3rd century – early 4th century. The ESV Study Bible notes that early Christian churches “met in homes . This would seat around 100 people. In this final article in the series, we explore not one set place, but the myriad locales in which the passion and resurrection of our Lord became the focus of Christian worship. Congregational Consensus: The New Testament church had a plurality of clearly identified leaders (elders, pastors, overseers), yet these leaders led more by example and persuasion than by command. Spacious living rooms were often built off this courtyard. Nominal Christianity is harbored as it becomes easy to get lost in the crowd. With all the problems Paul had to deal with among the Corinthians, it would seem that it ought to have taken a lot more people to get into that much trouble! “Lullingstone Roman Villa”, English-Heritage.org.uk. What advantages for growth and reproduction might house churches have over fellowships that have to build church houses? Look into renting an apartment clubhouse, dance academy, storefront, school cafeteria or community center. However, the larger the fellowship, the more difficult it becomes to maintain relationships and lines of communication.         Martin Selman of Spurgeon’s College in London wrote, “The theme of the ‘household of God’ undoubtedly owed much to the function of the house in early Christianity as a place of meeting and fellowship (e.g. They were big, semi-public houses. Under the radar of the Roman Empire, God used the early house churches to evangelize, make disciples, and transform the world. Beyond the business office was an even large,r semi-covered, completely enclosed courtyard. Achieving congregational consensus is easier when everyone knows everyone else and open lines of communication genuinely exist with one another. Worship was generally conducted in the atrium, or central courtyard of the house.” 2 Tim. 10. When a "church" wasn't a building These early believers did not have church buildings to meet in. The real influence in the room is not the teacher but peer pressure. Paul’s Corinth,” reveals a great deal about these early house churches. In the previous chapters, small churches were encouraged to play to their relational strengths by incorporating some of the practices of first-century house churches. So, for example, the fact that early Christians often sold all they owned and shared the profits (Acts 2:44-45) among other believers does not mean that we must do so today (although it certainly would be acceptable). Some of the distinct practices of those early small churches are worth considering: 7. How many people attend a church? Once leadership is in place, send out a sizable portion of the original church to jump start a new small church. Profit        Smaller settings foster the intimacy, unity, love and accountability that characterized the early church. Let us strive to faithfully follow the example of Christ and the apostles in our churches and ministries today.         How many people were involved in an early house church? The early church, of course, did not always fully live out the New Testament vision of the body of Christ. “Space Calculator for Banquet & Meeting Rooms”, BanquetTablesPro.com, accessed October 04, 2016. This would seat between 60 and 80 people. Reformed scholar William Hendriksen said, “since in the first and second centuries church buildings in the sense in which we think of them today were not yet in existence, families would hold services in their own homes.”, According to Anglican priest and evangelist David Watson, “For the first two centuries, the church met in small groups in the homes of its members, apart from special gatherings in public lecture halls or market places, where people could come together in much larger numbers. There are over fifty of them, such as love one another, give preference to one another, encourage one another, agree with one another, accept one another, submit to one another, etc. This article may be copied or redistributed with acknowledgement and permission of the publisher. The Church should be associated with mutual encouragement, accountability, relationships, community and maintaining church discipline. By modern standards this would seat about 50 people. Instead, they multiplied, constantly training leaders and sending out groups to start new fellowships. What can be done? Roman villas doubled as centers for commerce. We long to see the Lord’s churches full if such growth represents people being reached with the Gospel and made into disciples. Achieving consensus is possible in a church where everyone knows each other, loves each other, bears with one another, is patient with one another and is committed to each other. In keeping with the New Testament example, the ideal size for a congregation might be the same number of people that would fit into a first-century Roman villa (which, by the way, is more than will fit in a typical modern home). Hence, a successful small church leader is one who is faithful to “preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.” It does not matter if your church never gets larger as long as one is faithful in God’s household. Some argue that Roman villa sized churches were characteristic of the church in its infancy, but not in its maturity. It is a design axiom that form follows function. While the Eucharist is no longer celebrated in the context of a meal, what are some occasions when your local church feasts together that are an important part of parish life? They also probably had more of an Asian mindset to crowding than we do in the West; there may have been 150 people in an early house church. 4:19; Phm. 3. . How fast it grows? They were so effective that Christianity eventually became the dominant religion. Acts 16:40, 20:20, Romans 16:3-5a, 16:23, 1 Corinthians 16:19, Colossians 4:15, Philemon 1-2b, James 2:3. Early Christians did not … Griffith Thomas, St. Paul’s Epistle to the Romans (Grand Rapids, MI:  Eerdmans Publishing, 1984), 422-423. Worst yet, many parents drop their children off at a church youth program as sort of a reform school, hoping for a miracle. 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