Home Churches
[to go to Life Transformation Groups, Zurich, click here;
to go to Life Transformation Groups, Clinton, click here]
What happens in a Home Church?
In a Home Church three households meet regularly (weekly or bi-weekly) for six months. Ideally a home church will be intergenerational, sharing life together. You may want to be part of a Home Church made up of people who are already part of Kingsfield ZMC, but we also encourage you to think about inviting neighbours, family or friends who do not have a church home to join in as well. After six months together it is our goal to have these home churches multiply (i.e. each household invites two other households) and begin a new adventure.
Home Churches are informal gatherings that are centered on the following...
1. Eating Together: In Scripture our fellowship with Christ is described as a meal (Mt.26:17-30; Rev.3:20). When we eat together as believers Christ is present and great things happen. In Home Churches these times around the table can be full meals with each household bringing something, or simple snacks, the point is that we are together to fellowship and know each other and the Lord better. Food and great conversation seem to go hand in hand.
2. Reading Scripture Together: A Home Church reads Scripture together as a daily personal and/or household discipline and then discussed together when the Home Church gathers. Scriptures are discussed and help shape conversation. Children are also included in these readings. Three Scripture reading tracks can be chosen by a Home Church:
• Track 1 - Seed: You choose a book of the Bible that you will read together. When you have all read it (maybe more than once) and discussed it you choose another book and so on until your time together is done.
• Track 2 - Cultivate: You choose to read through the Scriptures a chapter a day following the basic edition (also called Kids Edition) of the Scripture reading guide "A Life That Grows." This booklet is available in Articles, or through the church office.
• Track 3 - Harvest: You choose to read through large amounts of Scripture (approximately 5 chapters per day) following the full version edition of the Scripture reading guide "A Life That Grows," also available in Articles, or through the church office.
3. Praying Together: Each meeting includes a time where all (including children) join in seeking God's will together for our lives as we share our needs and joys and the needs that arise in our world.
4. Doing Mission Together: A Home Church seeks ways to be active in the community together in ways that will share God's love. Previous Home Churches have hosted community Christmas meals, helped at Blessings Community Store, visited at Bluewater Rest Home, been part of Jane Finch Ministry teams, given monetary gifts to those in need ... Be creative together in following the Spirit.
5. Playing Together: Home Churches seek ways to play. Spending time playing can open up new understandings of life together.
Have you been in a home church? Have you been wanting too?
For those currently in home churches...
Every six months or so we invite you to talk together as households and home churches as to who God is nudging you to invite into a new season of home church.
Here are some suggestions and guidelines for multiplication:
1. Pray and be open to who the Holy Spirit settles into your mind.
Be open to what God might be saying to you, even if it doesn't make sense at the time. Your call to invite the household the Spirit has brought to mind may be exactly what they need.
2. Think intergenerationally, missionally, and outside the box.
Our vision is to have people of a various ages know each other better so don't just think of those who are like you. Also, be willing to consider people whom you might not normally consider spending time with ("If you love those who love you what reward will you get?"- Mt.5:46). And ask, how will our home church actively make a difference in the community and the world for Jesus?
3. Don't make this a law.
We envision that home churches will meet regularly (weekly or bi-weekly) and be made up of no more than three households, but that doesn't mean you can't be flexible when you meet as a home church or that you can't invite two single persons and another family, or another manageable combination of people into the experience with you. The point is not law, but meaningful and deeper relationships that are built increasingly around the real presence of Christ. Finally, while we'd love to see you multiply and share the home church experience you've been having, we respect the need you might have to take a Sabbath-rest.
4. Get on this quick and communicate well.
Please let Jim Ramer or Pastor Phil know who you are inviting into your home church so that the Leadership Team can support and pray for you. Phil or Jim may know of people looking to join a Home Church if you're having trouble making a connection.
For those not currently in home churches...
Are you ready to join? You may receive an invitation to join a home church. If you do receive an invitation know that it is not done lightly. The household that invites you has been praying for God's direction; don't be too quick to say no. If you don't receive an invitation, don't take it personally. If you're keen to join a Home Church let Pastor Phil know so connections can be made. Or, why not consider beginning your own home church of three households. Just please 'keep us in the loop'.
For more on maturing in Christ through life together, see Life Transformation Groups.
* Note that although the terminology is similar, by Home Churches we do not mean the same thing as the planted new churches of Kingsfield that meet in homes. (ie. with elder leadership etc. See 'What Makes a Church?')
"They devoted themselves to the apostle's teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer....many wonders and miraculous signs were done...All believers were together and had everything in common...they gave to anyone as he had need...They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favour of all the people.
And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved."
Acts 2:42-27 - on the life together of the first Christian churches