As we pull into the church parking lot, we realize our daughter attended preschool here, many years ago. What we don’t know is that we will experience a laity led service.
Consider these four discussion questions about Church #29:
1. We amble in and one woman approaches us and mutters to herself, “Where’s the guest registry?” She moves toward an ornate wooden stand that holds nothing. As she searches for the missing book, I walk past her.
How ready is your church to receive visitors?
2. The minister is gone, and a member fills in. Though not an accomplished speaker, I applaud what she’s doing. In fact, members lead the entire morning. It is a laity led service.
Can your church hold a service without your minister or staff? If not, what should you do?
3. They invite kids to come forward for the children’s message as music plays. Though the song is appropriate for preschoolers, the five who come forward are much older: later elementary through high school.
What traditions does your church persist in even though it no longer makes sense?
4. During the message, someone passes us a clipboard with a sign-in sheet. I watch the clipboard weave its way in the rows ahead of us. I’m so distracted that I never reconnect with our speaker.
What church practices distract people from hearing the message and worshiping God?
Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.
We learn of this church when we spot their name in a local paper’s church directory. Still, we struggle to confirm their meeting time. We expect to experience a liturgical church service.
Consider these four discussion questions about Church #28:
1. We walk inside and a lady shares some basic information about the liturgy for today’s service. Without her help, we’d have been lost.
Whether you’re a liturgical church or not, how can you help people better navigate your service?
2. During the sermon the minister forewarns us we will greet each other later with a holy kiss. Though there’s only a handful of people, they’re all strangers. This is the creepiest of practices.
What does your church do that may cause people to squirm? (And before you say nothing, think harder.)
3. After the service they invite us to stay for fellowship. A neighbor and her dog join us. Though she missed the service, she’s welcomed anyway.
How do you feel about people skipping church and showing up afterward to hang out?
4. Even though it was hard to participate, some of this church’s strange worship traditions fascinate me.
Do your church practices and worship intrigue others or push them away? How can you make your liturgical churchservice more accessible?
Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.
Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.
I’ve felt like we’re bouncing between a rural churches culture to the west and a more metropolitan vibe to the east. Going forward, we’ll plan our visits by geographic area, not driving distance.
Consider these two discussion questions as we look forward to the second half of our adventure:
1. I never expected such a noticeable difference between rural churches and more metropolitan churches.
Regardless of your location, how can your church better reflect your community?
2. We changed plans because what we once did no longer works. Many churches need to embrace this reality and try something new, but they don’t.
Where does your church need a new approach? Where should you maintain the status quo? Are you sure?
Both the ministers and laity at rural churches and more metropolitan churches should ask these questions.
Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.
Gabe Hartfield Interviews Author Peter DeHaan about His Book Visiting Online Church
Check out this video of author Peter DeHaan being interviewed by Gabe Hartfield. They cover what his research revealed about virtual church and discuss Peter’s new book Visiting Online Church, which is book 5 in his popular 52 Churches series.
The interview was broadcast live on Facebook and Zoom, Oct 25, 2021.
Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.
For the past twenty-six weeks we’ve sought to expand our understanding of how others worship God.
Consider these two discussion questions about the second part of our journey:
1. I now realize that church is not about the teaching or music. It’s about community.
How can your church foster community and promote meaningful connections?
2. Consumerism is rampant in today’s church. People seek a church with the most engaging speaker and entertaining musicians. They stay until a better preacher or music comes along.
They are church consumers, looking for the best value.
How can you move your church away from a consumer mindset?From church consumers?
Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.
A friend tells us about a new African American church. Once again, we’ll be minorities at church.
Consider these four discussion questions about Church #26:
1. We arrive ten minutes early and find only four people. At ten o’clock there’s just nine. A few more trickle in. Eventually the service begins.
Is your starting time a guideline or reality? What message does this send?
2. Everyone is friendly, abounding in smiles. Despite having different-colored skin, we feel accepted.
How can you better welcome people of different backgrounds at your church?
3. Throughout the service, the pastor declares blessings on us. His words are intentional and more fervent than I’ve ever witnessed. His passionate prayer proclaims favor, protection, and God’s grace.
This isn’t a request but a declaration. I like his spiritual confidence.
How can you pray with more boldness?
4. Afterward this African American church shares a meal. As Candy and I return to our chairs with our food, they congregate in groups.
No one joins us or invites us to join them. I don’t think they’re being rude but merely gravitating toward their friends and those they’re comfortable with.
What should you do to push past your comfort and reach out to include others?
Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.
The website of this church shows captivating photos of their worship team, implying high energy and an edgy sound.
Consider these four discussion questions for Church #25:
1. Everyone wears an adhesive nametag, and we make our own nametags. At some churches members wear permanent nametags and guests use temporary ones, which single them out.
If your church uses nametags, how can you best embrace others? If you don’t use name tags, why not?
2. Friends invite us to sit with them. Though we don’t need this comforting gesture to feel welcome, a typical newcomer might appreciate it.
In what ways can you help a person feel more comfortable?
3. The worship team is far different than their website portrays. Instead of a high-energy, edgy worship band, there’s a laid-back team of two. I’m disappointed.
Is your website an accurate reflection of your services? If not, what do you need to change?
4. However, this discrepancy between website and reality may be because in a few months this church will cease their Sunday meetings.
They’ll relaunch with another church to form a new group, with a new name, and a renewed focus. Change is hard, but these people anticipate it.
How can your church better deal with change? How can you help?
Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.
This church resulted when three dying congregations merged a quarter century ago, but with a worship team of teens brought in, today isn’t a normal gathering. I suspect it’s a more atypical church service.
Consider these four discussion questions about Church #24:
1. Most of the congregation are senior citizens, with few children. The sanctuary seats about four hundred, but it’s only one-fourth full.
If you have an aging congregation, what can you do to reverse the trend?
2. The absence of a cross is conspicuous. This isn’t an issue for me, but for many it is. The cross is a prime emblem of Christian faith, but we must remember it’s only a symbol.
What symbols are present or lacking in your church? What message might this convey?
3. Today’s sermon is about friendship. True friendship, the minister says, requires constancy, honesty, and wise counsel. Jesus is the ultimate friend.
How well do you do at being a true friend to others?
4. Both before and after this atypical church service, people thank us for visiting. Their conversations aren’t to share faith but to entice us back. They’re desperate to grow.
How do your efforts to grow your church come across? Are you willing to ask a visitor their thoughts to get a firsthand account?
Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.
What Scripture Teaches About Meeting Together Is Far Different Than Our Sunday Services
We talked about three options for a house church gathering: duplicate a typical service, participate online, or just hang out. Each of these three approaches have their strengths and weaknesses.
However, in his letter to the Corinthians, Paul gives us some ideas of what we could do for a house church (1 Corinthians 14:26-27). He gives five activities that could take place: singing, teaching, sharing a revelation, speaking in tongues, and giving an interpretation.
But before we dig into these five
areas, let’s look at some other key items first.
When You Gather
Paul says when you gather, not if you gather. This reminds us that getting together with other followers of Jesus should be a regular occurrence, not random (check out Hebrews 10:25).
This idea of meeting together can occur on Sunday morning or can happen at any other time. The Bible doesn’t command the day or the hour when we should meet, nor is the timing sacred. Gathering Sunday morning is merely a practice that developed over the centuries.
Each Person
Next, let’s look at the phrase that
precedes Paul’s list. He says, “each of you.” This means everyone should
participate. The idea of all those present taking part suggests an egalitarian
house church gathering, where everyone contributes, and everyone ministers to
each other.
This instruction removes the divide
between leader and follower, which happens in today’s church services. On a
typical Sunday morning a few people lead, while most people watch. This means
that a few people are active during church, while most sit as passive
observers, as if going to a concert or attending a lecture.
Five Actions for House Church Gatherings
Instead Paul wants everyone
involved, where each person can minister to one another. He lists five
activities that should take place in our house church gathering.
1. Sing a Song
When we meet together, we should
sing a hymn or share a song—likely more than one. This could mean playing a
musical instrument so that others can sing along. For those who can’t play an
instrument or lead others in singing, a modern-day option might be to play a
recording of a song. Anyone can do that.
It could also mean—it probably does
means—launching into a song or chorus a cappella as the Holy Spirit leads. This
requires no preparation at all, just a willingness to listen to the direction
of God’s Spirit.
2. Teach a Lesson
The same approach applies for
giving a word of instruction. We don’t need to preach a half-hour to an
hour-long sermon. In this case less is more. We can often communicate much by
speaking little. Saying something concisely in thirty seconds may be more
meaningful than droning on for thirty minutes. Again, no preparation required.
And everyone present can do this.
All we need is a willingness to
share something that God taught us during the week, or that we learned through
studying Scripture. In addition, we can rely on the Holy Spirit to tell us what
to share during our meeting. It can build off what someone else has already
said, or it may be a new topic.
3. Share a Revelation
The idea of having a revelation to
share will seem normal to some and a bit mystical to others. Think of a
revelation as special knowledge that God has given to us. He could do this
through a writing we read or an action we observe. And it can be through Holy
Spirit insight. Regardless of the source of our revelation, Paul wants us to
share these perceptions with those gathered.
4. Speak in Tongues
The last two items on the list may,
or may not, be a comfortable activity in our group, depending on our practices
and comfort level. The first of these two items is speaking in tongues.
The Bible talks about speaking in
tongues, and Paul instructs the people in Corinth to do it. It’s biblical, and
we should consider this for our house church gathering. But it may be optional,
because Paul later says, if anyone speaks in tongues. This implies it’s
not a requirement. But he does say that if people speak in tongues, only a few
people should do it and then one at a time.
5. Interpret the Tongue
After someone speaks in an unknown
language, someone must interpret it. Implicitly, if no one can interpret the
message, then the person shouldn’t share it. After all, how can words that no
one understands build up the church?
Holy Spirit at Our House Church Gathering
Much of the activity for a house church gathering means listening to the Holy Spirit and responding as he directs. Implicit in this we will encounter times of silence—sometimes lengthy—as we wait and listen. Silence unnerves some people, so if this idea of waiting for God to speak is new to you, move forward with care as you build up the ability to sit, listen, and share. Hearing from the Holy Spirit, however, is central to our house church gathering.
Build Up the Church
To conclude his list of five items,
Paul says everything we do at a house church gathering must be for the purpose
of building up the church, to strengthen the faith and community of those
present. Doing or saying anything to elevate ourselves or draw attention to our
abilities benefits our ego. This detracts from the group.
Instead we should humble ourselves and do things for our common good. This will advance the kingdom of God and the good news of Jesus.
Read more about this in Peter’s thought-provoking book, Jesus’s Broken Church, available in e-book, audiobook, paperback, and hardcover.
Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.
