Thought I would begin downloading some of the good material presented at the regional western house church conference.
Paul Kaak gave an excellent presentation that focused on one key reality: we are not called to plant churches, we are called to plant the Kingdom of God. Churches are natural expressions that take place if the Kingdom is planted.
Paul also cautioned about the danger if house church becomes "trendy" which is a real possibility. This could easily destroy the organic nature of the movement and cause it to become just one more packaged alternative.
Felicity Dale is always inspiring as she teaches on the Luke 10 and recounts her own stories of planting house churches. Luke 10 suggests a missional approach that begins with prayer (for the Lord to send workers), then moves to the house of a receptive person, then follows with food and fellowship, then food and more fellowship. Next step is "healing the sick", i.e. looking for needs and ministering to those needs in God's power. Finally, after all of this takes place, the Good News is spoken--within the context of relationship and within the context of God having already shown up by touching people's lives.
Excellent stuff.
Got to run out the door to a neighbor's neighborhood party! More later!
