What is a Church?

In 2 Timothy 4 (vv. 6-16), the elder spiritual statesman Paul, imparts several important instructions for the younger leader, Timothy. One of the first and most important was to warn those under his charge concerning false doctrines and error. From the very beginning erroneous ideas crept into the church (either nefariously or innocuously by those just either prone to wrong thinking or easily swayed). The importance of keeping God’s message true and pure should be obvious. A little error up front can soon lead to a lot later on and severely missing the mark. This is why so much of the N.T. seems to be combating ideas and teachings that are contrary to God’s ways.

Funny, things don’t seem to change much. Even in our day...actually, especially in our day. Of late one of the issues several pastors I’ve known have had to deal with is break off home groups that want to separate from the existing church, call themselves a church and do their own thing. While the idea of meeting in a home is not contrary to Biblical practice, however what these "wanna be" churches are doing is anything but church.

Here’s why... 7 reasons:

1) The home church movement has been a magnet for counter culture rebellious types of individuals that don’t like to submit to anyone or anybody. There’s a reason why Paul appointed certain individuals to lead the church. He also gave several qualifications for these leaders. This apostle spent a lot of time undoing damage to susceptible young Christians that were easily led astray by self appointed, self styled preachers that weren’t qualified to lead. And this is what we often find in HCM’s assembly’s. Which leads to #2...

2) False Doctrines and erroneous ideas run wild in these forums. In this supposed post modern age, anyone’s opinion is just as valid as anyone else’s. Even though a person may be totally uneducated, inexperienced and absolutely unaware of anything historical. What they have to say is just as meaningful, informed and authoritative as let’s say a pastor who studied the Bible formally in Grad school seminary....knows the original languages of the Bible and owns a plethora of exegesis tools and is skilled in using them. (And this doesn’t even take into account varying levels of spiritual maturity).

3) Accountability. Most home groups don’t have any. Formal/normal churches are set up to have a balance in leadership. So let’s say even if the pastor mentioned in above #2 starts to sway off course a little in his theology and doctrine, the church has mature, godly, biblically insightful leadership in place that can steer him back on course or in severe cases, protect the flock from being led astray.

4) Teaching and preaching of God’s word has always taken primacy in church gatherings. This does not seem a value in these home meetings. Even before New Testament times in the Old Covenant, those that knew the Torah instructed the faithful in God’s word. The written word has always been highly esteemed and taught by those dedicated and ordained for this purpose. In the New Testament it’s the same thing. The gathering would worship in song, etc., then be taught the word. In fact it was so important that the Apostles were relieved of the ministry to the community so they dedicate themselves "to prayer and the ministry of the word" (Acts 6:1-5). And this function was so valued to the point that they were financially provided for so they could continue in this skillfully. Jesus himself said that the workers are worthy of their wages. A fact that Paul later affirmed and even claimed that those who teach and lead well are actually worthy of double wages!! (1 Tim. 5:17-18).

5) Home fellowship groups don’t fulfill the great commission. Jesus left the church with one great mission. And it’s called the great commission (Mt. 28:18-20). And that is....to make disciples. Now it’s one thing to gather around guitar, sing and share, but it’s not making disciples. Without the teaching and guided application of God’s word, growth and maturity don’t take place. Granted, some churches are better than others at making disciples. And there should be an intentional plan for the production of disciples. The successful disciple-making church employs’ many methods in this work...small group fellowship is but one of them.

6) Home fellowship groups don’t have effective organized outreaches and ministry. Taking part in a formal/normal church is better way to organizationally reach out to your community whether it is providing physical needs or evangelization. They’re better equipped with leadership, structure for getting it done, resources (financial, networking, manpower, etc.). And when that church is a part of a larger denomination it greatly enhances their opportunities to be a part of world evangelization.

7) Home fellowship groups are greatly limited in their spiritual gifts inventory. The bible makes it very clear that each one of us has a spiritual gift. This gift is to be used to build up the body of Christ. The wider the range of gifting, the more opportunity there is for the body to be made complete, and be equipped. A church gives more occasion to use your gift and to be blessed and equipped by other’s gifts.


Finally, I would like to say that I have nothing against home churches in the proper context. If they effectively fulfill the above scriptural mandates, then go for it. In fact there are many places in the world today where home churches are flourishing, but this is mainly a cultural specific situation and usually involves persecution (i.e. Cuba, China).

Home fellowship groups are an important part of church life. Much ministry takes place there... care for one another, encouragement, and maybe even the occasional rebuke and correcting. However, let’s not make the mistake of replacing the church with something new and different simply because it seems cool. Jesus was the one that said HE would build the church. Because people are involved the whole process may not be perfect (and there certainly have been some corrections along the way), but to radically change what has been done for 2000 years is to tell Jesus He hasn’t been doing it right all along.