Spacious living rooms were often built off this courtyard. Referred to as house churches today, in their own time, these Christians would have thought of themselves as the Church and the place where they assembled as someone’s house. 2; 2 Jn. If you feel that you are called to start a house church, gather a few like-minded people together and begin to pray so that you can receive a strategy from God. God used these house churches to turn the Roman world upside down (Ac 17:6). Having too many people in attendance can serve to defeat the purposes for holding a church meeting in the first place. Beyond the business office was an even large,r semi-covered, completely enclosed courtyard. 2. Church hostess Lydia was a prosperous businesswoman who sold expensive purple fabric and could afford servants (Ac 16:14). Other Christian groups choose to meet in houses when they are in the early phases of church growth because a house is the most affordable option for the small group to meet until the number of people attending the group is sufficient to warrant moving to a commercial location such as a church building. So we should not think that home churches are any more "biblical" in … Proverbs 22:15, 13:20. Early churches meeting in Roman villas typically consisted of scores of people, perhaps over a hundred, but not hundreds and certainly not thousands. In most modern-day home churches, all members are considered to be equal. 2; 2 Jn. 3. Many thriving small churches focus on reaching home-school families. Many thriving small churches focus on reaching home-school families. Forty may be a safer guess. These were the first churches in the world and these house churches appeared in the ancient cities of the Roman Empire around the 3rd century – early 4th century. As the home was the domain of women, women took a leading role in many aspects of the early church. One-Another Ministry: The Scriptures are full of “one another” commands. In Social Aspects of Early Christianity (1977), A. J. Malherbe observed that up until that time “no major work has been devoted to the New Testament house church”. The early church, of course, did not always fully live out the New Testament vision of the body of Christ. How many people attend a church? David Watson, I Believe in the Church (Great Britain: Hodder & Stoughton, 1978), 121. ‘House churches’ offer return to in-person worship by following practice of early Christians. How many people attend a church? This was probably because of the large size of the home and the financial ability of the host to provide much of the food for the love feast. Having too many people in attendance can serve to defeat the purposes for holding a church meeting in the first place. Today, as always, we can see God’s footsteps, if we are looking for them. If you lead your small church to adopt early church practice, it will be a blessing to people. . The size should be just right; not too big and not too small (neither mega nor micro). The argument that the early church was forced to meet within homes because of persecution will not stand for the following reasons: (1) Persecution of Christians was not as intense and widespread as is commonly assumed. The Jerusalem Church had thousands of members meeting house to house. New Bible Dictionary (Wheaton, IL:  Tyndale, 1982), 498. The practical reality of the priesthood of the believer was lost until the Reformation. They will grow spiritually. house church. 1. What constitutes a successful ministry anyway? Therefore, the church grew and expanded as a largely Gentile community from 49 to 54 A.D. There were tragic lapses. . What psychological impact might the size of a church meeting have on the actual meeting and people themselves? Small churches today still have the same great potential to advance God’s kingdom in the love and power of the Holy Spirit . Examining the architectural remains of that house adds color to our understanding of Paul’s criticism of the manner in which the Corinthians were attempting to celebrate the Eucharist. Listen to Our Talk on Strategic Size Nominal Christianity is harbored as it becomes easy to get lost in the crowd. We need to think small in a really big way! John 6:10, 24, 66-67. . Celebrating the Lord’s Supper as an actual faith-family meal is more natural in a smaller setting. Rather than in a funeral-like atmosphere, the Lord’s Supper was reverently celebrated in anticipation of the Wedding Banquet of the Lamb. Further, in a large congregation, the pastor necessarily functions more like the CEO of a corporation or, worse yet, like a king over his own kingdom.         The real issue is not where a church meets but how it can best do what God requires of it. Throughout church history, God has used the house church strategy to draw his followers back to a simpler form of church life and mission. Through his tent making work, Paul was able to support himself and his traveling companions, some seven men at least (Acts 20:4, 34). William Smith, A Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities (London: John Murray, 1875), 430. The church at Dura-Europos occupies a midpoint in the evolution from early house churches to the monumental buildings of the age of Constantine. 10).” Since New Testament churches met almost exclusively in private homes, the typical congregation was relatively small. If you lead your small church to adopt early church practice, it will be a blessing to people. Are we to believe that having smaller congregations was a purely incidental aspect of the blueprint for church life or was it purposeful? Worst yet, many parents drop their children off at a church youth program as sort of a reform school, hoping for a miracle. The real influence in the room is not the teacher but peer pressure. Large crowds are great for special praise concerts, seminars or evangelism, but the weekly church gathering is to be about something more—mutual edification, accountability, encouraging one another, the fellowship of the Holy Meal, strengthening relationships, building consensus, etc. The early house churches met in the mostly-covered atrium area of the house. First, thank God for the years you had to make disciples of these Millennials before they moved on. 7. How fast it grows? Jerome Murphy-O’Connor measured six homes in Pompeii and Ephesus and found the average atrium size to be 797 square feet. For all their scandalous behavior, we are grateful to have Paul’s response to the Corinthians. . A raised area was added at the front (for a podium?). This would seat between 60 and 80 people. Worship was generally conducted in the atrium, or central courtyard of the house.” Many house churches have f… The real influence in the room is not the teacher but peer pressure. 2. Who Were The Early Christians? Read More         Martin Selman of Spurgeon’s College in London wrote, “The theme of the ‘household of God’ undoubtedly owed much to the function of the house in early Christianity as a place of meeting and fellowship (e.g. Achieving congregational consensus is easier when everyone knows everyone else and open lines of communication genuinely exist with one another. Once leadership is in place, send out a sizable portion of the original church to jump start a new small church. What can be done? Aquila and Prisca together with the church at their house send you many greetings in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 16:19). 5; 2 Cor. They were big, semi-public houses. It will likely create a contagious excitement that will cause numerical growth as well. How successful was Isaiah’s ministry to a dull, spiritually blind people? What constitutes a successful ministry anyway? What should be done in a situation where a home is simply too small to host a church meeting? Measurements taken from schematic. Official Website of theCatholic Diocese of Little Rock. A large auditorium of people, most of whom are relative strangers to each other, will not easily achieve these goals. Photo: St. John’s Episcopal Church A church met in the home of Aquila and Priscilla, a couple employed in the evidently lucrative first-century trade of tent-making (Ac 18:1-3). This is good. The Church as Family: An overarching significance of the New Testament church lies in its theology of community. Are we to believe that having smaller congregations was a purely incidental aspect of the blueprint for church life or was it purposeful? The many “one another” exhortations of Scripture can be more realistically lived out. However, the larger the fellowship, the more difficult it becomes to maintain relationships and lines of communication. The pastors become inaccessible. 6. So, for example, the fact that early Christians often sold all they owned and shared the profits (Acts 2:44-45) among other believers does not mean that we must do so today (although it certainly would be acceptable). 4. Early house churches were able to support qualified widows and elders, which would have required more than just a handful of believers (1Ti 5:3-16). Some argue that Roman villa sized churches were characteristic of the church in its infancy, but not in its maturity. There is extensive archaeological evidence from many cites showing that some homes were structurally modified to hold such churches.” One such modified home known to host a church was found in Dura-Europos, Syria. . One challenge in worshiping in a home today lies in the fact that modern homes are often far different from first-century Roman villas. Continually teach the men to be the leaders in their homes and the church. We long to see the Lord’s churches full if such growth represents people being reached with the Gospel and made into disciples. The two rooms facing the street were often businesses. Though house churches were at the opposite end of the spectrum from modern mega-churches, it is important to avoid the mistake of thinking too small. However, house churches can … Note how Paul greeted the Christians in Corinth: “The churches of Asia send you greetings. 2500 N. Tyler St., Little Rock, AR 72207 Biblical gardens reveal God's plans for us, Both war, peace found in biblical valleys, Rivers, streams of Bible flow with new life, Jesus brought good news to ancient villages, God's plan is the original 'urban renewal', © Copyright 2021 Diocese of Little Rock The temptation is to enjoy this growth, allowing the original church to get far larger than a typical church of the apostolic era. Was Jesus’ ministry a failure? Congregational Consensus: The New Testament church had a plurality of clearly identified leaders (elders, pastors, overseers), yet these leaders led more by example and persuasion than by command. 2:5-11; Gal. On the other hand, Barna’s study found that singles under 35 were more open to attending small churches. Christian fellowship meant unconditional availability to and unlimited liability for the other sisters and brothers—emotionally, financially and spiritually. Enough believers were able to gather in the villas to make disciples, manifest a variety of spiritual gifts, have multiple people with the same gift, support widows and orphans, have a plurality of elders and financially support qualified pastor-teachers (who were thus freed to be devoted to in-depth teaching and leadership). We desperately need new settings and structures for watching over one another in love.” While the Eucharist is no longer celebrated in the context of a meal, what are some occasions when your local church feasts together that are an important part of parish life? 2 Tim. Profit        Smaller settings foster the intimacy, unity, love and accountability that characterized the early church. When one member suffered, they all suffered. Church hostess Lydia was a prosperous businesswoman who sold expensive purple fabric and could afford servants (Ac 16:14). Commit to being a small church that starts new small churches that start other small churches. The Church as Family: An overarching significance of the New Testament church lies in its theology of community. Having a plurality of pastors in a church is unlikely in too small a setting (Acts 14:23). ESV Study Bible (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008), 2217 However, what happens when they marry and have children? One-Another Ministry: The Scriptures are full of “one another” commands. In keeping with the New Testament example, the ideal size for a congregation might be the same number of people that would fit into a first-century Roman villa (which, by the way, is more than will fit in a typical modern home). While it cannot be said for certain that every church met in a home, it is a fact that when a meeting place is specified in Scripture, it is in a home. Kingdom minded older congregations may be willing to let you use their building after their services are over. A large auditorium of people, most of whom are relative strangers to each other, will not easily achieve these goals. A hallway between them led into the home’s atrium. Each local church is to be like a family; one of the most common things families do is eat together. Christian fellowship meant unconditional availability to and unlimited liability for the other sisters and brothers—emotionally, financially and spiritually. Why might the apostles have laid down a purposeful pattern of small churches? The Matthew 18 restoration process detailed by Jesus clearly assumes more than just “us four and no more.” There was a single congregation meeting in Corinth at the time Paul wrote; counting the various people using their spiritual gifts in 1 Corinthians 14 adds up to a healthy number of believers. This includes the house/home churches who attempt to emulate the early Church organization. Having a plurality of pastors in a church is unlikely in too small a setting (Acts 14:23). Under the radar of the Roman Empire, God used the early house churches to evangelize, make disciples, and transform the world. An examination of floor plans in Pompeii shows typical atriums measuring 20’ x 28’. “The antidote to the evangelical obsession with the ‘bigger is better’ model of church organisation. 5. Learn Practical Tips on Ministering in Smaller Churches They were big, semi-public houses. It is not surprising then to see women taking leadership roles in house churches. The meeting room measured approximately 15’ x 21’. One known ancient home that hosted a church was the. Jesus went from 5000 down to 12 in one sermon. This would seat around 100 people. Impressive children’s ministries mean little to them. There are no professionals in charge; they often have no leaders. Building consensus of the whole congregation was important in decision making. Meeting in a smaller setting would have a practical effect on one’s church life. Other early churches also met in homes. Eucharist was celebrated by the Church — that is, the Body of Christ — assembled together in private homes. Intimacy is lost. The Catechism describes the Church as “the family of God” (§ 1655). The apostles’ belief concerning the function of the church was naturally expressed in the form the church took on in the first century, and this would certainly include size considerations. Is a home / house church biblical? Jerome Murphy-O’Connor measured six homes in Pompeii and Ephesus and found the average atrium size to be 797 square feet. If 40 or 50 were to have gathered in one of Corinth’s larger houses, it would have taken at least two rooms to accommodate them. Special thanks to Stephen David of Hyderabad, India for significant contributions to this section. Early churches meeting in Roman villas typically consisted of scores of people, perhaps over a hundred, but not hundreds and certainly not thousands. In keeping with the New Testament example, the ideal size for a congregation might be the same number of people that would fit into a first-century Roman villa (which, by the way, is more than will fit in a typical modern home). Paul claims that during these gatherings, the fact that some were well-fed and getting drunk while others went hungry, proved that their meals failed the test of a genuine Eucharist (1 Corinthians 11:17-22). What advantages for growth and reproduction might house churches have over fellowships that have to build church houses? Don’t rule out the possibility of meeting in someone’s home—under the right circumstances it can still be a viable option (see our book for more about modern house churches). Griffith Thomas, co-founder of Dallas Theological Seminary, “For two or three centuries Christians met in private houses . Smaller, Spirit-filled congregations are, arguably, part of a much larger divine design. What is it about them that make them important? Second, continue doing things to bring in new singles under 35. Acts records 120 believers assembled in the upper room of a house. Achieving congregational consensus is easier when everyone knows everyone else and open lines of communication genuinely exist with one another. . If a crowd had come to the house for an agape meal, only the most favored guests — most likely the wealthiest — would have been served there. One known ancient home that hosted a church was the Lullingstone Villa in Kent, England (built during the Roman occupation). The size should be just right; not too big and not too small (neither mega nor micro). Eucharist was celebrated by the Church — that is, the Body of Christ — assembled together in private homes. 12:26). It is not a cure-all panacea for the many ills in the church today; however it is the start of a conversation that may—with God’s help—lead to much-needed reform.”. Kingdom minded older congregations may be willing to let you use their building after their services are over. How do you feel about this? Apart from home-schoolers, expect an exodus to a larger church with a first-rate children’s program. They met mostly in homes. It might have been even smaller. 9. House-church ministry must be birthed in prayer. When one member suffered, they all suffered. 5. There seems little doubt that these informal gatherings of small groups of believers had great influence in preserving the simplicity and purity of early Christianity.”, Seminary professor Ronald Sider, in Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger, wrote, “The early church was able to defy the decadent values of Roman civilization precisely because it experienced the reality of Christian fellowship in a mighty way . . Discussion Questions 5. It is a design axiom that form follows function. Spacious living rooms were often built off this courtyard. At the far end of the atrium was the business office. Though Scripture never states such, it is quite likely that churches also met in tenement housing called insula and which were not nearly as large as a Roman villa. But they do have their dangers. They will grow spiritually. Jim Henry, pastor of First Baptist Church of Orlando estimated, “Our two church plants are going to cost us about $2,450,000 over a three-year period.” In light of these staggering figures, as your small church starts new small churches, be creative in finding places to meet that are cost efficient. Acts records 120 believers assembled in the upper room of a house. The problem with this is the corrupting influence children have on each other: “Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company ruins good morals.’” It is also felt that putting children in Sunday School or a youth group takes the pressure off the parents to fulfill their God-given roles of training their own children. 3. 4. Hence, a successful small church leader is one who is faithful to “preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.” It does not matter if your church never gets larger as long as one is faithful in God’s household. We long to see the Lord’s churches full if such growth represents people being reached with the Gospel and made into disciples. There are over fifty of them, such as love one another, give preference to one another, encourage one another, agree with one another, accept one another, submit to one another, etc. romanticize the early church as an age of purity to which we should seek to return Before Christianity was legalized in the fourth How would the number of people involved impact a church’s ability to have a participatory meeting or to achieve congregational consensus? For example, Aquila and Prisca held church meetings in their home (1 Corinthians 16:19). Graydon F. Synder, Church Life Before Constantine (Macon, GA:  Mercer University Press, 1991), 166. “Small Churches Struggle to Grow Because of the People They Attract,” Barna.org, accessed September 01, 2016. Size plays an important role in this. There are no evidences of larger places of meeting before 300.” Again quoting Snyder, “there is no literary evidence nor archaeological indication that any such home was converted into an extant church building. But the network of tiny house churches scattered throughout the Roman Empire did experience their oneness in Christ so vividly that they were able to defy and eventually conquer a powerful, pagan civilization. 10).”, According to W.H. House churches have not altogether disappeared, either, even within Catholicism. Those who have pulled their children out of both government and Christian schools are often not interested in their children being involved with Sunday school or youth groups. Ancient Rome’s battle against the early Christians was an amazing time in history—one which shaped and in many ways resembles our lives today. One challenge in worshiping in a home today lies in the fact that modern homes are often far different from first-century Roman villas. Further, in a large congregation, the pastor necessarily functions more like the CEO of a corporation or, worse yet, like a king over his own kingdom. As already seen, Scripture indicates the early church met in the homes of its wealthier members. When church meetings in Roman villa atriums were replaced by meetings in much larger basilicas, participatory worship was replaced by scripted, stage performance type services. . Size plays an important role in this. Special thanks to Stephen David of Hyderabad, India for significant contributions to this section. “How Much Does It Cost To Start A Church?”, MissionalChallenge.com, accessed September 1, 2016. House Churches in the First Century For the first two hundred years of the Christian movement, most meetings were held in homes. Perhaps some congregations were large and therefore met in big buildings, but this is an argument from silence. How fast it grows? Since New Testament churches met almost exclusively in private homes, the typical congregation was relatively small. One challenge in worshiping in a home today lies in the fact that modern homes are often far different from first-century Roman villas. “House churches played an essential role in the rapid growth and ultimate triumph of Christianity, and it’s safe to say that the first three centuries belonged to the house-church movement. It is a design axiom that form follows function. Out of the theological truth that God’s children are family arises many church practice issues, such as the size of a congregation that best facilities our functioning as God’s family. Walls between adjoining rooms off the atrium could be removed to create a big open area. Church buildings would not be built for another 200 years. There are both advantage and disadvantages to small churches. Referred to as house churches today, in their own time, these Christians would have thought of themselves as the Church and the place where they assembled as someone’s house. It portrays these churches often as gathering in homes. The Matthew 18 restoration process detailed by Jesus clearly assumes more than just “us four and no more.” There was a single congregation meeting in Corinth at the time Paul wrote; counting the various people using their spiritual gifts in 1 Corinthians 14 adds up to a healthy number of believers. The legacy of a faithful small church will outlast a larger, entertainment-oriented congregation. The overwhelming majority of churches today, however, do not provide the context in which brothers and sisters can encourage, admonish and disciple each other. 6. Participatory Worship: Early church meetings were clearly participatory. Philemon, wealthy enough to own a slave, hosted a church in his home (Phlm 2b). Since New Testament churches met almost exclusively in private homes, the typical congregation was relatively small. It was not unusual for strangers to be in and out of a home. 12:26). “Why Do Newly Planted Churches Grow Faster Than Older Churches?”, rmdc.org, accessed September 1, 2016. They are called brothers and sisters (Phm 2, Ro 16:2). Disciple making is more personal and natural. There seems little doubt that these informal gatherings of small groups of believers had great influence in preserving the simplicity and purity of early Christianity.” By modern standards this would seat about 50 people. New leaders should be continually trained from within to go out and start new works. They are called brothers and sisters (Phm 2, Ro 16:2). Smaller churches can best foster the simplicity, vitality, intimacy and purity that God desires for His Church. “Space Calculator for Banquet & Meeting Rooms”, BanquetTablesPro.com, accessed October 04, 2016. Large crowds are great for special praise concerts, seminars or evangelism, but the weekly church gathering is to be about something more—mutual edification, accountability, encouraging one another, the fellowship of the Holy Meal, strengthening relationships, building consensus, etc.         What are we to do with the fact that the early church met mostly in homes? He was successful because he was faithful to what God wanted him to do. The problem with this is the corrupting influence children have on each other: “Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company ruins good morals.’” It is also felt that putting children in Sunday School or a youth group takes the pressure off the parents to fulfill their God-given roles of training their own children. This was probably because of the large size of the home and the financial ability of the host to provide much of the food for the love feast. God’s people are thus seen as part of God’s household (Ep 2:19, Ga 6:10). New churches grow faster than larger ones. They also probably had more of an Asian mindset to crowding than we do in the West; there may have been 150 people in an early house church. This custom of … Posted Sep 10, 2020. Yet even in the absence of persecution, might the apostles have intended to lay down a purposeful strategy of smaller congregations? What psychological impact might the size of a church meeting have on the actual meeting and people themselves? Worship was generally conducted in the atrium, or central courtyard of the house.”, The early church continued this practice of home meetings for hundreds of years after the New Testament was completed. The Church should be associated with mutual encouragement, accountability, relationships, community and maintaining church discipline. The meeting room measured approximately 15’ x 21’. Intimacy is lost. Early house churches were able to support qualified widows and elders, which would have required more than just a handful of believers (1Ti 5:3-16). The temptation is to be like a family ( 1Ti 5:1-2 ; Ro 16:13.. Were a Fearless and Animated people, not a Passive church. Commentary. Protestant wing of Christianity, there were no church buildings to meet in private,! Actual meeting and people themselves out the new Testament vision of the original church to get lost in the that. A `` church '' was n't a building these early house churches to the. 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