Home Churches Show Explosive Growth

With congregations in the thousands, huge properties with multi-purpose gyms, game rooms and multimedia morning services, mega churches have become the hot new trend in worship. But many people are walking away from the raucous atmosphere of corporate churches and back into their own homes. Small home churches are springing up all over the country, uniting small groups of Christians who are searching for a more personal worship service.

Worshippers who have left institutionalized churches for home churches point to the early churches in the New Testament as their model. New Testament verses referencing home churches include Acts 12:12 and Acts 20:20, which tells of Paul teaching from house to house. In Romans 16:5, Paul says, "Greet also the church that meets at their house." There has been speculation that early Christians met in homes to escape persecution, but the events in Acts occurred before the persecution of Christians.

Many home churches have little structure or precisely defined belief. Members may disagree on doctrines such as baptism and communion, but tend to agree on social issues such as abortion and homosexuality. There is seldom a head of the church. Some home meetings allow members to present topics or ideas at each meeting, while others assign a different leader for each meeting. Depending on the beliefs of the worshippers, some churches prohibit women from leading a service, while in some churches women play a prominent role in determining the direction of the church.

Some home churches stick to the traditional Sunday morning meeting time, but many others meet when and where it is most convenient. Church services and Bible studies may be held in homes, libraries, restaurants and coffee shops.

Home churches are not affiliated with any denomination, but there are several large groups that provide an opportunity for home churches to network with each other. Networking allows home churches to learn from the experiences of others and share their own ideas and beliefs.

Because home churches do not have overhead expenses such as building maintenance or clergy salary, tithes can be used for outreach ministries. Many home churches select charities and tithes are donated to local soup kitchens, homeless shelters, children's charities and battered women's homes. In addition to having the power to determine where the tithes go, many home church members donate time to local charities as well.

Many feel that home churches work best when the group stays small, but many home churches have been faced with large growth that inhibits the natural feel of home worship. Such churches often split into smaller groups for regular services, but continue to meet periodically for larger services or meals.

Critics of home churches worry that by separating themselves from churches and organizing bodies, that some Christians will become disconnected and stray from traditional beliefs. Still, many larger churches are now encouraging small midweek home study groups that mimic the dynamics of home churches in an attempt to stop the flow of people from the organized church.