This document proposes an alternative model for church where members meet in homes rather than congregating at a central church building each Sunday. It notes that currently church services involve performances by pastors, choirs and others, while most congregation members passively observe. The alternative suggested would involve members actively participating and building each other up through small group meetings, Bible studies and fellowship in homes. This aims to encourage members to use their gifts and mature in faith through interaction, as was done in the early church described in Acts. Practical concerns about pastoral roles and church finances are addressed.

1. “Every day they continued to meet
together in the temple courts. They broke
bread in their homes and ate together
with glad and sincere hearts, praising
God and enjoying the favor of all the
people. And the Lord added to their
number daily those who were being saved
(Acts 2:46-47 New International
Version).”

2. An Idea... Just an Idea... :-)
What if “church” was done differently than it is
done currently in most churches today?

3. 
Here is the usual routine of churches
today:

We get to church for the morning service.

We read a Scripture and pray.

The next portion of the service is “Praise &
Worship” and then a selection from the choir.

Then we have announcements and collect “tithes &
offerings.”

Then we have another selection from the choir

Then we listen to the Sermon

Pray and go home... Or an All-You-Can-Eat Buffet
Restaurant. lol...

4. This is how a service is usually set up on
Sunday Morning

5. Who are the active members of the
church service?

The preacher/pastor

The choir

Supporting ministers and elders that may read a
Scripture and pray in the beginning of service

Ushers, Hosts & Parking Lot Attendants (depending
on the church size and parking lot accommodations)

Audio/Video Workers

Children and Youth Church Ministers & Workers
(depending on the size and structure of the church)

6. Are there any inactive, passive members?
Yes...
The Congregation of Believers

7. Here is an idea for a new Sunday
Morning Service

8. You may ask yourself...

What about the ministry of the Word?

What will the pastor do if all the members of the
congregation are meeting in their homes?

Won't the church suffer?

How will the bills get paid at the church facility?

9. What about the ministry of the Word?
The pastor, elders, supporting ministers and members
who have the gift of speaking, preaching and
teaching will share. Whatever a member's gift is,
they will use it in a house church or small group
setting. Here are different kinds of meetings:

Bible Study

Prayer Meeting

Fellowship/Communion

Meeting to Edify One Another

10. What will the pastor do if all the members
of the congregation are meeting in their
homes?
The pastor along with the elders, will deal with church
matters and in addition, will participate in house
churches and small groups as regular church
members who edify the other members and will
allow members to edify them.

11. Won't the church suffer?
If done according to the Word of God and the leading
of the Spirit, no. It will instead grow and advance
the Kingdom of God.

12. 
How will the bills get paid at the church
facility?
Members will continue to support the church facility.
The church facility will continue to be used, even if
it is not used for meetings on weekly Sunday
Services.

13. This is just an idea...
… And it is based on God's Word. It encourages “the
maturing of the saints for the work of the ministry,
for the building up of the Body of Christ (Ephesians
4:12 New International Version).”

14. Think about it and feel free to send me
some questions and/or comments