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Imagine a ragtag collection of surrendered and transformed people who love God and others. They are mesmerized by the idea that life is not about them, but all about Jesus. They are transfixed by his story and his heart for their community. They link arms with anyone who tells the story of Jesus. They empower the poor, strengthen the weak, embrace the outcast and seek the lost. They serve together, play together, and worship together. They live life together. Their community will change because God sent them. This is our vision.
"Then they returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives. a Sabbath day's walk from the city. When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James, and Andrew; Philip and Judas son of James. They all join together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus and with his brothers." Acts 1:12 – 14
What is a house church?
A house church (or home church) is an informal term for an independent assembly of Christians who gather intentionally in a home or other place not normally used for worship services.
Christians who meet together in homes, or other non-traditional spaces, usually do so because of a desire to return to the simplicity and purity of church meetings as found in the New Testament. They prefer to meet informally because they believe it is an effective way of creating "community" and engaging in outreach or because they believe small family sized churches were a deliberate apostolic pattern in the first century and intended by Christ. Christians who practice their faith in a house church find that it is not the house that matters, but the type of meeting that takes place.
The house church concept goes back to the first century as observed in Acts 1:12-14. The apostle Paul often mentioned house churches or sent or gave greetings to them in his many letters:
“The churches in the province of Asia send you greetings. Aquila and Priscilla greet you warmly in the Lord, and so does the church that meets at their house." 1Corinthians 16:19
"You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you, but have taught you publicly from house to house." Acts 20:20
""Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the Church in her house." Colossians 4:15
To Apphia our sister, to Archippus our fellow soldier and to the church that meets in your home." Philemon 1:2
Today in the United States. There are more than 1600 house churches listed on the Internet alone (as of 2003) with a possibility of as many as 30,000 house churches, according to the American pollster George Barna.
The Blessing Place
In 2005, a small group of people in the Joliet area came together to explore the idea of a house church.
We were intent on developing our spiritual growth to a much deeper level than could be recognized in an institutional church. The intent of this group was not to criticize the institutional church. Most of us grew up in the traditional church and respect what they do to develop Christians. Our intent is to consider biblical alternatives in our own spiritual development and growth.
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