"Churchitis" - Part 3

[Reformer]

"Churchitis"
[Part 3]

Questions & Answers Pertaining to House
Assemblies & "Churchism"

Question
"In a recent message you spoke of the early believers meeting in private homes and similar places, and that the meetings were mutually inclusive, involving anyone who might wish to share or express himself. If believers adopted such meetings today, would there not be 'voices of ignorance' trying to teach one another, as well as a diversity of opinions? Would there not be more confusion than order?"

Answer
Others voiced the same concern. In such meetings, varied opinions would not be discouraged, as diversity yields growth. No one, however, would be coerced into conforming to someone else's conception or interpretation of truth. Although everyone would be urged to look for pearls, a few would find lesser stones. Those few would not be rejected. As to "voices of ignorance" trying to teach one another, we must not forget the early believers practiced the method I am here describing, and we don't refer to them as "voices of ignorance." Their "family circles" and "family discussions" brought out the best in each of them. The least effective method of communication is pulpit preaching and lecturing. The most effective method of communication is mutual dialogue.

There should be a mutual exchange of ideas by as many who might wish to participate, both male and female. Participation would not be compulsory, but everyone would be encouraged to get involved, for "group therapy" or mutual ministry would be the crux of each meeting. Someone with the gift of leadership would lead each session.

Question
"But how do you manage order in a setting where everyone is encouraged to participate?"

Answer
A good leader will maintain order, very much like an earthly father maintains order in a family discussion. Disorder was prevalent in the meetings at Corinth (I Cor. 14). Everybody was trying to speak at the same time. Paul told them to speak "one at a time" (v. 27). Then he told them that "everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way" (v. 40).

It is noteworthy that the "pulpit minister" or "pulpit pastor" isn't even mentioned or referred to. Where was he? Wasn't he supposed to be the center of attraction and the core of attention? He wasn't there. His office was invented centuries later, thus forming the first major cancer in the body of believers.

Question
"Some time ago, you indicated that it's wrong to meet inside church buildings. Where do you meet? Do you meet in some structure?"

Answer
I have never once indicated it is wrong to meet in some structure. I have said that our fancy, expensive church structures are monuments that testify of our idolatry. A few readers—one in particular—understood and misquoted me as being opposed to meeting in any structure. We have set up elaborate edifices and crosses and view them as sanctuaries and revered designs. Oh, there may be a few exceptions, naturally, but the rule seems to be universal.

There's an old maxim, "Our heart is where our money is." If we will but consider the hundreds of thousands of dollars—yea, even millions—that are spent on church structures, designs, religious inventions, and edifices, and compare that amount to the few dollars we spend on seeking and saving the lost and feeding the genuinely poor, we don't need a professor to locate our hearts. If this isn't idolatry, I've lost my ability to reason. We fail to see that God no longer "lives in temples built by [human] hands" (Acts 17:24). His only sanctuary today is the believer's heart (1 Cor. 3:16).

Question
"Suppose the house meeting becomes too small to accommodate everyone?"

Answer
That would be an ideal time to start another house meeting. Apparently, the early believers used the same method. Each house assembly would be set up and organized in the same manner as the first group, with leaders who encourage mutual participation. It would not be an ideal time to build a church structure. The early believers did not build and own "church houses" and fancy edifices. They met in each other's homes and in public places. Jesus said to get out and go, but we have moved in to stay. We seem to want to do the opposite of what our Lord instructed.

Question
"What 'acts of worship' would be emphasized?"

Answer
Everything would be an expression of worship, for worship for the committed believer never ends, if I understand Jesus' statements correctly in John 4:21-24. He said simply that worship in the new age, the Christian era, would be anytime and the place where we are. At this juncture I'd like to quote from the late Charles Spurgeon regarding worship, temples, and houses. The quotation may be found in his message, "Additions To The Church." It contains wisdom worth digesting.

"Are we not all priests? Why do we need to call in others to make devotion a performance? Let every man be a priest in his own house. Are you not all kings if you love the Lord? Then make your houses palaces of joy and temples of holiness. One reason why the early church had such a blessing was because her members had such homes."

Question
"But what about the pulpit preacher? Where does he come in?"

Answer
He wouldn't. He would not be needed unless the congregation opted to place him in full-time evangelistic work. Mature and older men called "elders" would shepherd and guide the body of believers, as it was 2,000 years ago. Their role would not be authoritative but likened unto gentle and loving fathers. They would not play the role of dictators but function as wise leaders.

Question
"Why are religious parties or denominations wrong?

Answer
The principal reason is that they exclude. A secondary reason is that they are a work of the flesh. Paul places the "party spirit" (religious parties) alongside idolatry, hatred, discord, envy, drunkenness, and sexual immorality (Galatians 5:19-21). The local believers at Corinth had formed parties within their community. Some had built a religious party around Paul, others around Apollos, still others around Peter—and, yes, some of the believers had even formed a party around Jesus. Even the "Christ party" was wrong! Why? Because it excluded other believers (1 Cor. 1:10-12). The "party spirit" is an attitude that generates separation and division. Religious parties in the form of churches are the end result.

[More Questions & Answers later]