I am writing this post in response to a substack article I read the other day. And I felt my thoughts were important enough to be shared with the Body of Christ. Hopefully this post will engender some deep reflection and discussion that will glorify the Lord.
The article I read was explaining why it had become exceedingly important for the author to get his family up and go to Church. He got personal and described all the reasons and excuses for why his Church attendance had lapsed, and then got to the heart of what he really wanted to say. It was obvious that he felt that being in the church building was the important factor in being a follower of Christ. Why? Because for him, it's all about accountability. He cited Hebrews 13:17 as upholding his position: Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account.
Let me say, right here, that I agree with the importance of accountability by those who are pastors and leaders of the Church. They will be held accountable by the Lord when they stand before Him one day. The problem is that they also need to be held accountable here on earth for how they shepherd their flocks, teach the Word, and help people to mature in their faith and journey while they're in this world. Because if they don't, I can guarantee you that people who long to know Jesus will feel as if they aren't being fed adequately; and they will leave. They are hungry for more of Jesus and aren't prepared for the snares that the Tempter lays for them.
I respected that author's viewpoint. There are some Churches that are led by Pastors who have Jesus's heart and nurture their flocks; providing the bread of Life through their sermons, worship services, and encouragement. But what about the people who find themselves dissatisfied by inadequate portions of the Word, injured by deceived leadership, or just long for more personal encouragement to go further in their faith? How should they worship the Lord to meet their needs, and where should they go?
My husband and I experienced the same kinds of disillusionment with "the Church", but were determined to continue in our search for a personal relationship with Jesus. We tried different churches who we felt connected with what the Lord was showing us in our daily 3-hour Bible studies, which were lighting our spirits on fire! [We are self-employed, so we have the luxury of dedicating those morning sessions to getting to know Jesus]. The Lord responded by opening up the Bible to us like it had never been unveiled. He led us to an Inner Healing ministry, and eventually to a small group we invited to gather in our home twice a month to study the Bible for mutual wisdom, understanding, and illumination. We don't give ourselves titles, nor do we especially like calling ourselves a "Home Church", but in the light of the First Century followers of Christ who met in homes for the same purpose of learning how God wants us to become more like Christ, I guess that is the most accurate way to describe us.
And that brings me to the part of the article that has me responding to what the author wrote. Here is what he had to say, "There's a whole crowd now that has decided it can do all of it [what the Church offers] from the house. Homeschool. Home church. Home everything. Family devotions at the kitchen table on Sunday morning with the coffee pot on, dad reading a chapter, and that's the service."
But then he gives homeschooling a pass, and continues with his disagreement with Home church: "But a family altar is not a church, and dad reading a chapter is not preaching. There is no accountability in a room where you are the only voice. There is nobody in that room who can tell you you're wrong. Nobody watching for your soul who will have to give account for it. No brother who's been where you are and came out. No widow in the third pew you're supposed to check on. No pastor.
If the purpose of inviting people into your home for time spent in the Word, in discussion, in prayer, and encouragement to "wait on the Lord" is in order to be the only voice, to declare that your opinion is the only right one, or to remove any accountability to God or your fellow Believers for how He is understood or known, then I guess I would agree with the author. But he goes on to assert that Matthew 18:20 can only apply to a church building with a pulpit for a pastor. For where two or three are gathered together in My Name, there am I in the midst of them. He expounds on his reasoning ... "In the midst of it. Not in the livestream of it. There is a promise attached to the gathering that is not attached to my living room, and the promise is not about the people who show up. It's about who stands among them when they do" Then he quotes Hebrews 10:25: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much more, as you see the day approaching.
First of all, let me say that the Lord is very much in the midst of our living room when we gather together in His Name! He is invited, welcomed, and makes His presence known as we make ourselves available and accountable to study His Word. Our small group of 15-20 any Sunday are there because there has been no accountability in any of the church buildings they have attended. These are not "church hoppers" looking for a convenient message that makes them feel comfortable in their sin. They are people who are truly searching for more of God and who they are meant to be. They know they can't find it in the world, and they haven't found it in their churches. They have been left feeling unfed and wanting more. Our little gathering consists of newbies in the faith; those who have been wounded by Church leadership; lapsed Catholics; discontented Lutherans; and disillusioned Baptists who realize they have questions that aren't being answered --- people all searching for the same thing .... a personal relationship with Jesus, and Jesus called them to our door.
All this to say, that everyone who has found their way to join this little group is coming for the same reason that the author goes to his church -- because God meets us, here in the midst of our humble living room. The seeds of the work of God in their lives are sown here. We commit that time to Him to show us what we need to know from the Word we are studying, and more times than I can count, we hear, "Why was I never taught that in my Church!?!" It has been beautiful to see each person, coming into their own journey with Jesus, sharing with their fellow believers what the Lord is showing them as they go home and spend time further studying the Word. I do believe that we are truly like the Bereans [in Acts 17:11], who received the message with eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if the teachings were true.
Everyone is free to ask questions [there are no stupid questions]. Everyone is free to express what they think Jesus is telling us through His Word, and there are times when those who are more mature in their understanding and faith, lovingly correct and encourage. We have each come to understand that when we have not found what we need for our relationship with the Lord, WE ARE ACCOUNTABLE FOR SEEKING HIM IN HIS WORD. And if you're blessed to have found a church where the pastor understands that [and isn't threatened by it] and encourages his members to be self-accountable instead of relying on him to nourish their souls and spirits, then I praise the Lord! But I can tell you that those three or four hours we gather together to search out a matter in our relationship with our God is glorifying to Him! I believe it makes our Heavenly Father happy to see His children be accountable for their own relationship and go to the effort of searching Him out.
Please understand me! I do not disparage anyone for their church attendance. But for me and my husband and those who join us on Sundays, we have found that following the First Century Church model of a small group of Seekers meeting in a home to study the Word, has resulted in changed lives; people who are finding their path to Jesus in this chaotic world. And just like that First Century home church, it's the plan to create disciples to go into the world and preach and teach the Word to others "as we go", like our Lord Commanded. So, whether your church is in a brick and mortar building, or you gather in a home, I pray that the Holy Spirit is present as He opens up your hearts and minds to a personal relationship with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! It doesn't matter where we meet or how many attend. The important thing is to seek more of Jesus in your life.
Remember... as God's relationship with humanity evolves to the time of Jesus's return, the House of God is that space that fosters our connection with the Holy Trinity and fellow believers [and it only takes 2 or 3]! It is the dwelling place of God among His people; a place of worship and divine encounter. He dwells in each of us if we call ourselves a Christian. We are each accountable for where we meet Him. He doesn't care where it is ... just meet with Him!
Proverbs 25:2 It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, and the glory of kings to search it out.
