By Rad Zdero
[This is the second of two parts - see the first part. Editor]
5. moNEy ANd RESouRCES
Some house churches have abandoned giving money or resources to mission. Because they rightly believe that 10% tithing is not a New Testament practice, they wrongly conclude they do not need to give at all. Consequently, many things God wants accomplished get delayed. But, there is a better way! House churches that wish to make a difference must take the locks off their wallets and give generously to God’s mission.
The early Christians were taught to give gladly. There were two groups of people they mainly gave money and resources to, namely, those in dire need (Acts 2:44-45, 4:32-35; 1 Cor 16:1-3; 2 Cor 9:1-15) and apostolic workers (Lk 10:7-8; 1 Cor 9:1-18; Philip 4:10-20).
As house churches today, therefore, we must ask God where he wants us to give. Each house church or network should do several practical things. They should give money to their own bank account or money bag. They should circulate amongst themselves good teaching resources such as books and videos. They should help the poor and destitute locally and abroad. They should give finances to apostles and apostolic projects that help house churches learn, grow, multiply, and connect.
6. CuLTuRAL CoNTEXT
Some house churches are completely uninterested in (or unaware of) the economic, religious, philosophical, linguistic, political, artistic, and technological factors that shape their culture. So, their attempts at impacting non-believers and reaching church drop-outs are ineffective. But, there is a better way! House churches that want to influence people must be students of, and participants in, mainstream culture (except, of course, without sinning).
The early Christians related the good news of Jesus using culturally relevant methods (1 Cor 9:19-23). To fellow Jews, Peter would retell the familiar story of God’s dealings with the people of Israel and how Jesus was the fulfillment of that drama (Acts 2:14-41, 3:11-26). To philosophical Athenians, Paul felt free to quote from pagan religious inscriptions and poets to make his argument (Acts 17:16-34). Jesus, too, told simple stories about daily life to ordinary people (Mt 13:1-52), while debating theology with religious leaders (Mk 12:13-40).
As house churches today, therefore, we must engage society in relevant ways and live lifestyles that others can relate to. Have we seen the latest popular movie? Do we know about the economic issues shaping our day? Have we studied the world’s religions and cults? If so, we will be much more effective.
7. THE LoRd oF TImE
Some house church people want to grow and multiply easily and quickly. This is an understandable and noble desire. But, when they discover that God often takes a long time to do things, they quit. These folks are not true world-changers. Maybe they are not actually called by God to the work. Maybe they are fickle pragmatists with little real conviction. Maybe they are immature believers. But, there is a better way! House churches must recognize that our God is the Lord of Time who often takes longer to put his plans into action than we sometimes expect or want him to.
Abraham waited 25 years before God fulfilled his promise of giving him a son. Moses spent 40 years in exile tending sheep before God called him to free Israel from Egyptian bondage. David waited 17 years after his anointing by the prophet Samuel before becoming king. Jesus spent 30 years in obscurity before launching his public ministry. Paul had to wait over 10 years after his conversion before actually being sent as an apostle to the Gentile world.
As house churches today, therefore, we must be in this for the long haul if we are to see God firmly establish his “household strategy” among all the nations of the world.
8. bLood, SWEAT, ANd TEARS
Some house church people are absolutely unprepared to endure the necessary hardships and do what it takes to see God accomplish his purposes through them. They will only be involved if personal sacrifice is not required. But, there is a better way! House churches that want to produce quality disciples of Christ must be ready to be refined by the fire.
Jesus and his early followers knew this well. They spilt their “blood” as they were physically persecuted by civil authorities, religious leaders, and lynch mobs through arrests, trials, imprisonments, beatings, stonings, and assassination attempts (Jn 19:1-30; Acts 4:1-7, 5:17-27, 7:54-60, 8:1-3, 19:23-41, 23:12-22; 2 Cor 11:23-25). They poured their “sweat” from the hard work of praying, evangelizing, healing, teaching, traveling, battling physical hardship,and persisting in their concern for the churches (Mk 3:20; Lk 6:12, 8:1, 9:6; Acts 1:14; 2 Cor 11:23,26-28). They shed their “tears” as they were denied, betrayed, abandoned, and criticized by family, friends, and fellow Christians (Mt 10:34-37; Mk 3:21, 6:1-4; Jn 6:66, 18:1-3, 18:25-27; 2 Cor 10:10; Philip 1:15- 17; 2 Tim 4:10,16).
As house churches today, therefore, we must be ready to expend blood, sweat, and tears, for God is asking us to help repair the broken foundations of his church to reach his broken world.
9. LASER bEAm FoCuS
Some house church people are not fully engaged and are not fully committed to God’s agenda. They are dabblers. They are sometimes too distracted by hobbies, ambitions, sinful habits, and participation in other good institutional church ministries. But, there is a better way! We must fully dedicate our time, energy, abilities, passions, resources, and even life-decisions into the local, regional, and global house church movement that God is raising up today.
Anyone who puts other relationships ahead of following Jesus cannot be his disciple (Lk 14:26). Anyone who puts their hand to the plow and keeps looking back is not fit for the kingdom (Lk 9:62). Anyone who does not count the cost before embarking on a new venture will often fail (Lk 14:28-30). Anyone who allows the worries, riches, and pleasures of this life to dominate them will never bear fruit (Lk 8:14). Anyone who perpetually practices sin will get entangled and enslaved (Jn 8:34-36; Heb 12:1-2; 1 Jn 1:6-10, 5:18).
As house churches today, therefore, we must focus like a laser beam on the specific task God has for us. We must never allow the good things in life to replace the God things in life. We must sweep aside anything that would slow us down. We must run the race to win.
10. PERSoNAL CALLINg
Some house church believers have not been genuinely called by the Spirit to get involved in this new, yet ancient, way of being the church. Maybe they are just looking for quick church growth results. Maybe they just want to follow the latest Christian trend. Maybe they just want a platform for their personal ministry. Maybe they are just reacting to past emotional hurts from institutional churches. Maybe they are just looking for a comfortable fellowship to belong to. But, there is a better way! House churches should gently encourage their members to do some real soul searching before God to figure out if they really should be involved at all.
Noah was called to help save a remnant from the flood of judgment (Gen 6:13-22). Moses was called to help deliver the Hebrews from Egyptian slavery (Exod 3:10). Gideon was called to deliver God’s people from the Midianites (Judges 6:14). Jesus was called to rescue the world from the spiritual darkness of sin by his sacrificial death on the cross (John 3:16). Paul was called to be the chief apostle to the Gentiles (Acts 9:15-17, 13:1-3). And only because they were genuinely invited by the Spirit to put their hand to the task did they fulfill their mission.
As house churches today, therefore, we must be 100% sure that the Spirit has truly summoned us personally to do what we are doing. If we are unsure at all, we may indeed be messing things up.
So, we had better get into our proverbial prayer closets and stay there until we get an answer one way or another. Only then will we be able to endure the trials and accomplish the tasks that lay ahead.
May Jesus Christ continue to get his spotless Bride ready and allow us to wage war in his holy revolutionary struggle.
Amen. «
Rad Zdero’s web site is www.housechurch.ca
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