OC House Church Network

WELCOME TO THE OC HOUSE CHURCH NETWORK

2012-01-29T15:43:00.001-08:00

If you're looking to join a house church, or to start your own group, please contact any of the house church groups listed at the left-side navigation, or email us here at the OCHouseChurch.com website for assistance.

You can reach us at OCHouseChurch@gmail.com.

INTRODUCTION TO ALT. CHURCH - OCTOBER 8TH

2011-09-15T17:59:00.000-07:00

Vineyard at Home is excited to announce a one day conference on House Church / Alternative Church to be held on Saturday, October 8th, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The location for this event will be on the campus of the Anaheim Vineyard Church in Anaheim, California.

“Introduction to Alt-Church” will be an opportunity for you to learn about – and share about – simple churches, house churches, hybrid churches and other non-traditional church structures that focus on bringing the ministry of Jesus deeper into the lives of believers and deeper into the fabric of the neighborhood, nation, and world.

* Being Church: Discovering Your Mission in Your Community

* Leadership in the Alt-church milieu

* Biblical principles of Alt-church ministry

and much, much more.

The cost for this event is only $10 per person (cash or check) and will include a light lunch. Mainly, we just want to gather people who are interested in starting Alt-churches, joining them, learning about them and sharing about their experiences with them. Let’s see what God will do!

Please watch this space – and Facebook – for more details and make plans to join us.

The address of the Anaheim Vineyard is:

5340 East La Palma Avenue
Anaheim, CA 92807-2021

TO FIND OUT MORE CLICK
HERE

THIS SATURDAY: STREAMING HOUSE2HOUSE CONFERENCE

2011-08-30T08:49:00.000-07:00

Come join us this Saturday at Fuller Seminary in Irvine as we gather to watch (via Skype) the Saturday main sessions from Momentum, the House2House Conference.

Here's the schedule. Times are converted to PST.

Saturday Sept 3rd

LIVE ~ 12pm to 1:30pm Plenary Session 3 - Wolfgang Simson
LIVE ~ 3:45 pm - 5:15 pm Plenary Session 4 - Neil Cole
REPLAY ~ 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm Plenary Session 2 - Frank Viola

WHERE: Fuller Seminary (Irvine)
2021 Business Center Drive, Suite 115
Irvine, CA 92612

YOU MUST RSVP TO ATTEND:
Send an email to OCHOUSECHURCH@GMAIL.COM to let us know you're coming, how many you're bringing with you and which sessions you'll attend.

Attendance is FREE.

**

AUGUST OC/ORGANIC CHURCH FORUM - Thomas Crisp & Chase Andre

2011-07-25T17:42:00.000-07:00

Our regular monthly OC/Organic Church Forum will resume on Saturday, August 27th.

Our guests will be Thomas Crisp (Biola) and Chase Andre who will share with us about House Church with the Homeless and their experiment sharing meals and life with the homeless at Isaiah House in Santa Ana.

Details:
OC/Organic Church Forum
Saturday, August 27th
9am to 11am
Fuller Seminary (Irvine)

For more information watch this website or email ochousechurch@gmail.com.

OC/ORGANIC CHURCH FORUM - SAT. JUNE 25TH

2011-06-22T19:40:00.000-07:00

Our next OC/Organic Church Forum will be on Saturday, June 25th from 9am to 11am at Fuller Seminary in Irvine.

THIS IS A FREE EVENT!

Our special guest will be Dr. Norman Whan, founder of Canning Hunger

OC/OCF - Saturday, June 25th, from 9am to 11am
at Fuller Seminary California Coast
2021 Business Center Drive, Suite 115
Irvine, CA 92612

Need more info? Reply below or email: ochousechurch@gmail.com

ABOUT THE OC/ORGANIC CHURCH FORUM
"We are an unincorporated association of different organic, simple and house church families throughout the Orange County area who are working together to encourage one another, share ideas and resources and help others who feel called to this way of "being Church".

Hope to see you there!

OC/ORGANIC CHURCH FORUM - SAT. MAY 28TH

2011-05-17T18:37:00.000-07:00

Our next OC/Organic Church Forum will be on Saturday, May 28th from 9am to 11am at Fuller Seminary in Irvine.

THIS IS A FREE EVENT!

Our special guest will be Bob Sears.

OC/OCF - Saturday, May 28th, from 9am to 11am
at Fuller Seminary California Coast
2021 Business Center Drive, Suite 115
Irvine, CA 92612

Need more info? Reply below or email: ochousechurch@gmail.com

About Bob Sears
Bob lives in Fullerton and is very happily married to Caroline. He has two grown children: Ryan and Shannon.

Bob received my Master of Divinity degree from Talbot Seminary at Biola Univ. in 1982(No fair holding that against him.)

Bob then served for 20 years as an associate pastor in two Evangelical Free churches.

Unable to resist the Spirit's prodding, Bob left his pastoral position at the begin-ning of 2003 to start simple churches. He especially loves "fishing" in the 12-step recovery community because so many recognize their need for God but are turned-off to "organized religion."

Bob's desire is to serve the body of Christ by helping simple churches become all that God intends.

ABOUT THE OC/ORGANIC CHURCH FORUM
"We are an unincorporated association of different organic, simple and house church families throughout the Orange County area who are working together to encourage one another, share ideas and resources and help others who feel called to this way of "being Church".

WHAT'S WRONG WITH ORGANIC CHURCH?

2011-05-16T20:20:00.000-07:00

After last month's OC/OC Forum with Paul and Lori Byerly from House2House.com, we identified several things that were "wrong" with Organic Church.

Inspired by this discussion, our own Keith Giles recently wrote a series of articles to address several of these issues.

What's Wrong with Organic Church?
Invisible to the Community
Too Inwardly Focused
Too Isolated From Traditional Churches
Lack of Church Discipline
Lack of Connection with Other House Church Groups
No Spiritual Covering

USA TODAY FEATURES: Simple Church

2011-05-06T16:52:00.000-07:00

This article includes an interview with our very own Ken Eastburn of The Well, one of our OC/Organic Church Forum friends, so I had to share this here.
**

Simple Churches Find a Foothold Across the U.S.
By Cathy Lynn Grossman
USA Today

(RNS) This weekend, Jeanne O'Hair, her friends and family will raise their voices in Easter hymns "as the spirit leads us," she says, in her "house church" -- O'Hair's living room in Brea, Calif.

In a metal outbuilding at a shuttered horse track near San Antonio, Jeff Bishop says he will celebrate at his "simple church" under a rough-hewed cedar cross, with "folks who speak 'cowboy' like I do."

In Washington, D.C., at the Saturday night Easter Vigil, "we'll keep it casual and focused on Christ," says William D'Antonio, a member of a network of Catholic-style house churches called "Intentional Eucharistic communities."

No matter what you call them, house churches, or "simple" or "organic" churches, have long thrived in Third World countries where clergy and funds for church buildings are scarce. Now, however, they are attracting a small but loyal following across the U.S.

It's not that Americans can't find a conventional church congregation. Rather, millions of believers are leaving the pews for small, regular weekly gatherings where they pray, worship, study Scripture and support each other's spiritual lives.

These groups operate without a building, a budget, an outside authority or, often, even a pastor. Many are lay-led groups where they like to say they "do church," rather than "go to church."

Participants are not "Christmas & Easter Christians" -- folks who pour into the buildings on peak holy days and fade away a week later. Instead, "they're intensely active believers who want to take charge themselves and find something that feels more authentic," said Christian
research expert George Barna, author of a new book, Maximum Faith.

"If you look at the Bible, the church we have today is nowhere to be found. The original form of church was the house church. Older people want to find a more personal experience of God and young people don't want the congregational structure or process. People don't want to just read the responsive reading when they are told to," Barna said.

A January 2011 survey by Barna Research (the firm that Barna founded and later sold) found that 5 percent of Americans -- about 11.5 million American adults -- say they attend a "house church or simple church, which is not associated in any way with a local, congregational type of church," at least weekly or monthly.

That's up from 4 percent (about 8.8 million adults) in 2006. Although the increase is slight, it's clearly "more than a passing fancy. It has staying power," current Barna Research President David Kinnaman says.

Before moving to California, O'Hair was on the staff of an Oregon megachurch that pulled out all the stops with Easter pageantry -- and later disbanded.

"We just weren't seeing any fruit, any new members, for all that huge expense of time and effort. I love Jesus and I love the church, but I think the way we do institutional church in America will be extinct before long. It will just crumble," O'Hair said.

Now, she says she's happier celebrating her Christian faith with Sunday morning house church meetings and pot-luck breakfast with her spiritual family.

"We believe this is what Paul meant by the priesthood of believers, something that's increasingly missing in the modern, hierarchical church," said O'Hair, who works in accounting at a private Christian school.

Bishop, a retired fireman and acting director of the American Fellowship of Cowboy Churches, is not seminary trained or ordained, but has a license to conduct weddings.

"We're not affiliated with any denomination, but we are affiliated -- we're affiliated with Christ," he says, using a favorite expression.

Bishop had taken the traditional church route, but said "I don't miss a thing about it. This is church for people like me -- rural folk who speak my language."

Ken Eastburn, an ordained Southern Baptist minister, checked out of traditional church a decade ago and jumped into a church without walls. Now he works with The Well, a network of eight groups like O'Hair's.

"The whole point is not to be passive about your faith," Eastburn said. "Groups might meet on Sundays or on a weeknight but the constants are that there's always a meal together, a time of sharing, a time of prayer and Bible reading, and listening to each other and God, not a pastor."

Traditional churches have taken note of the growing desire for more simple ways to worship.

"Every large church I know is looking for ways to get small, to provide intimacy that may be missing," says Kevin DeYoung, senior pastor at the 500-member University Reformed Church in East Lansing, Mich., and co-author of Why We Love the Church: In Praise of Institutions and Organized Religion.

"Christians can meet anywhere from a cathedral to a storefront to a basement. There's no one perfect model," DeYoung said.

One drawback, he said, is that alternative congregations may drift away from church doctrine: "One of the main jobs of the church is to be the pillar of the truth, and its leaders are there to shepherd and guard it. It can be dicey in these small groups."

Catholics like D'Antonio remain tethered to the historic church through the volunteer priests who serve the Eucharistic communities, even if many don't ask the local bishop for permission.

"People are weary of all the constraints," says D'Antonio, a sociologist at Catholic University and co-author of a study, "The Catholic Experience of Small Christian Communities."

"We may have about 45 people at Easter vigil, but when we light the Easter candle and march into worship, we'll make as much noise singing as they will at any big parish."

Cathy Lynn Grossman writes for USA Today.

*See original article
HERE

OC/ORGANIC CHURCH FORUM - SAT. APRIL 30

2011-04-20T21:27:00.000-07:00

OC/OC FORUM - APRIL 30TH, 9AM TO 11AM AT FULLER (IRVINE)

SPECIAL GUESTS:
Paul and Lori Byerly from House2House.com and TheMarriageBed.com

THIS IS A FREE EVENT!

At Fuller Seminary California Coast
2021 Business Center Drive, Suite 115
Irvine, CA 92612

Need more info? Post questions here or email: OCHouseChurch@gmail.com

Hope to see you there!

Paul and Lori Byerly have been involved in various forms of church leadership for most of their adult live. In 1999 their frustration at the lack of fellowship and community in their church lead them into house church. In 2000 Paul and Lori began to volunteer for House2House, a resource for house church groups. In 2005 the Byerlys become paid staff for House2House. In early 2010 Paul and Lori became part of a local “hybrid” church which focuses on both a Sunday service and weekly home based Life Groups. In April Paul and Lori became the coaches for the Life Groups. They remain active in a regional house church network.

Paul and Lori have ministered to married couples, primarily on-line, for 14 years. Their on-line resources include The Marriage Bed web site, daily blogs The Generous Wife and The Generous Husband, and a Twitter feed.

The Byerlys live in a small town north of Spokane with their son. They spend their free time gardening and remodelling they home the bought last year. Their daughter who lives in Texas gave them their first grandchild in March.

ABOUT THE OC/ORGANIC CHURCH FORUM
We are a loose association of different organic, simple and house church families throughout the Orange County area who are working together to encourage one another, share ideas and resources and help others who feel called to this way of "being Church".

NEXT OC/OC FORUM: MARCH 26 WITH DAVID RUIS

2011-03-12T12:37:00.001-08:00

OC/ORGANIC CHURCH FORUM - SAT. MARCH 26
You're invited to join us for our next OC/OC FORUM
on Saturday, March 26th, from 9am to 11am.

Our featured guests will be author and songwriter David Ruis.

Our topic will be "Worship, Justice and the Kingdom of God"

*** NOTE: RSVP REQUIRED! ***
Seating is very limited for this event.
TO RSVP: Please reply to this email with names of all who wish to attend.
Check-in will be required at the door. Please bring a picture ID with you when you arrive.

DETAILS:
OC/ORGANIC CHURCH FORUM
SATURDAY, MARCH 26TH
9AM TO 11AM
At Fuller Seminary California Coast
2021 Business Center Drive, Suite 115
Irvine, CA 92612

Need more info? Post questions here or email: OCHouseChurch@gmail.com

Hope to see you there!

**
ABOUT THE OC/ORGANIC CHURCH FORUM
We are a loose association of different organic, simple and house church families throughout the Orange County area who are working together to encourage one another, share ideas and resources and help others who feel called to this way of "being Church".

OC/ORGANIC CHURCH FORUM - SAT. FEB. 26

2011-02-16T18:56:00.000-08:00

You're invited to join us for our next OC/OC FORUM on Saturday, Feb.26th, from 9am to 11am.

Our featured guests will be Wendy and Keith Giles from The Mission House Church in Orange, CA.

*** NOTE: RSVP REQUIRED! ***
Seating is very limited for this event.
TO RSVP: Please reply to this email with names of all who wish to attend.
Check-in will be required at the door. Please bring a picture ID with you when you arrive.

DETAILS:
OC/ORGANIC CHURCH FORUM
SATURDAY, FEB. 26TH
9AM TO 11AM
At Fuller Seminary California Coast
2021 Business Center Drive, Suite 115
Irvine, CA 92612

Need more info? Post questions here or email: OCHouseChurch@gmail.com

Hope to see you there!

**
ABOUT WENDY AND KEITH GILES
Wendy and Keith entered the house church world about five years ago when they felt God calling them to plant a church in Orange County. At first, they thought they would be planting a traditional church but soon they heard God's call to give 100% of the offerings to the poor in the community. The only way to make that vision a reality was to take a tent-making job and meet in their home.

Keith is the author of "The Gospel:For Here or To Go?", "Nobody Follows Jesus (So Why Should You?)", and "Subversive Interviews", a collection of his conversations with Dallas Willard, Todd Hunter, Matt Redman, Jim Wallis, Walter Kirn, Neil Cole, Frank Viola and others. All are available at his website: www.KeithGiles.com

Before entering college, Wendy spent several years devoting her life to drama and missions. She toured Europe and the US as part of a travelling drama evangelism team called "Covenant Players".

They are the proud parents of two teenage boys, Dylan and David, and together they help to serve the poor in Orange County and are currently planting a motel church in partnership with Saddleback.

Come and hear more about their journey into service to the poor in Orange County and how they are learning to be missionaries in their community and on their cul-de-sac.

Wendy and Keith are members of The Mission House Church in Orange, CA.
More info at: www.MissionHouseChurch.com

**
ABOUT THE OC/ORGANIC CHURCH FORUM
We are a loose association of different organic, simple and house church families throughout the Orange County area who are working together to encourage one another, share ideas and resources and help others who feel called to this way of "being Church".

SOME ASSEMBLY REQUIRED - STEVE GREGG AT OC/OCFORUM

2011-02-03T22:33:00.000-08:00

If you'd like to download and/or listen to an Mp3 of Steve Gregg's talk at the OC/OCForum on Saturday, Jan.29th you can do so
AT THIS LINK

NOTE: Look for the message entitled "Given at the OC/Organic Church Forum" in the list at the link above.

NEXT OC/ORGANIC CHURCH FORUM - SAT. JAN. 29TH

2011-01-19T07:00:00.000-08:00

OC/ORGANIC CHURCH FORUM
SATURDAY, JAN. 29TH, 9AM TO 11AM
FULLER THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY, IRVINE, CA
FEATURING: STEVE GREGG - "Some Assembly Required"

Steve Gregg is a Bible Teacher and Host of "The Narrow Path" radio program airing in Orange County on KBRT from 9:30am to 10am weekdays.

Steve will be sharing from his lecture series, "Some Assembly Required" and will answer questions and take comments on the topic of New Testament Ekklesia.

Address Info:
Fuller Seminary California Coast
2021 Business Center Drive, Suite 115
Irvine, CA 92612

SPACE IS LIMITED: MUST RSVP TO ATTEND!

RSVP TO: OCHOUSECHURCH@gmail.com with Name, and number attending.

NUMBER ONE QUESTION: "What To Do With The Kids?"

2011-01-10T18:07:00.000-08:00

Without a doubt, the number one question on the lips of almost every organic church planter is, "What do we do with the kids?"

The answer is: You have a variety of options.

Our house church family has always had an open participation policy from the very beginning when it comes to children. Anyone who is a follower of Christ is free to share a testimony, a scripture, a question or an encouragement to the entire church, no matter how young or how old.

However, I know of other organic church fellowships where adults take turns teaching the kids in another room, or on the front yard, each week.

Still others pop on a Veggie Tales DVD in the TV room and let the kids entertain themselves while the adults share in the main room. (Our group alternates between this for the younger children and the open participation for older kids).

If your group does something interesting, share it here on the comments section.

Erik Fish has a great idea about what your house church can do to involve the kids more in your weekly gatherings called "What Do You Do With The Kids?" over at CMAResources.

Read the full article
HERE

NEXT OC/ORGANIC CHURCH FORUM - NOV.14TH

2010-11-06T09:45:00.000-07:00

The next OC/Organic Church Forum will be on Sunday evening, November 14th at 215 s. glenview place, Orange, CA 92868, from 7pm to 9pm.

The topic will be: "Moving On: What do to after you've decided what you're not doing."

Details:
OC/Organic Church Forum
Sunday, Nov.14th
7pm to 9pm
215 S. Glenview Place, Orange, CA 92868
RSVP: elysiansky@hotmail.com (before Friday, Nov.12th)

As usual, this will be a dialog-driven discussion and not a presentation by experts. Everyone is invited to come and share their thoughts and experience with the group and to learn from, and listen to, others as well.

Please, please, please, RSVP if you are planning to join us by sending an email to:
elysiansky@hotmail.com by Friday, November 12th.

Hope you can be there!

OC ORGANIC CHURCH FORUM

2010-09-26T22:53:00.000-07:00

On Monday, October 11th from 7pm to 9pm you're invited to join with many different house, organic and simple church members for the next Organic Church Forum.

Our topic will be, "Gathering Together Around Jesus".

This will be an open dialog and discussion with members of many different local organic church practitioners.

Details:
215 S. Glenview Place
Orange, CA 92868

YOU MUST RSVP TO ATTEND THIS EVENT!
So we will know how many people to prepare for, please send an email to elysiansky@hotmail.com if you plan to join us for this event.

ORGANIC CHURCH SUMMIT - SATURDAY, SEPT. 11TH

2010-08-25T10:06:00.000-07:00

YOU'RE INVITED - ORANGE COUNTY ORGANIC CHURCH SUMMIT

On Saturday, Sept.11th, you're invited to gather and share ideas, ask questions and fellowship with others who are either currently involved in an organic/simple/house church, or are curious to learn more about what it is and how it works.

This free event will be an open dialog style meeting. No speaker or experts will be taking the stage. Instead, we will sit in a circle and allow everyone to interact with one another.

Our topic will be, "One Size Does NOT Fit All: Different Models of Organic Church".

Various members of local organic churches will be invited, including our brothers and sisters from The Well, Vineyard at Home (VCMN), Soul Leader, The Mission, and others.

Details:
OC Organic Church Summit
Saturday, Sept.11th, 2010
From 2pm to 4pm
At St. Matthew's Catholic Church
1111 West Town and Country Road
Orange, CA 92868-4615

Hope you can join us!

For more info and to RSVP:
e-mail: elysiansky@hotmail.com

OC ORGANIC CHURCH SUMMIT - SEPT. 11TH

2010-08-18T10:23:00.000-07:00

Make plans (if you can) to join us and many other house church groups in Orange County at the OC Organic Church Summit.

On Saturday, Sept.11th, a free open forum will be held for those who want to learn more about organic church. This will be a time to gather and share ideas, ask questions and fellowship with others who are either currently involved in a new testament, (organic), church, or with others who are curious and want to learn more.

This will be an open dialog style meeting. No speaker or experts will be taking the stage. Instead, we will sit in a circle and allow everyone to interact with one another as the Spirit leads.

Our topic: "One Size Does NOT Fit All: Varieties of Organic Church"

Details:
OC Organic Church Summit
Saturday, Sept.11th, 2010
From 2pm to 4pm
At St. Matthew's Catholic Church
1111 West Town and Country Road
Orange, CA 92868-4615

Various members of local organic churches will be invited, including our brothers and sisters from The Well, Vineyard at Home (VCMN), Soul Leader, The Mission, and others.

For more information please e-mail:
ochousechurch@gmail.com

Hope to see you all there!

OC ORGANIC CHURCH SUMMIT - SATURDAY, SEPT. 11

2010-07-26T19:51:00.000-07:00

On Saturday, Sept.11th, a free open forum will be held for those who want to learn more about organic church. This will be a time to gather and share ideas, ask questions and fellowship with others who are either currently involved in a new testament, (organic), church, or with others who are curious and want to learn more.

This will be an open dialog style meeting. No speaker or experts will be taking the stage. Instead, we will sit in a circle and allow everyone to interact with one another as the Spirit leads.

Our topic: "One Size Does NOT Fit All: Varieties of Organic Church"

Various members of local organic churches will be invited, including our brothers and sisters from The Well, Vineyard at Home (VCMN), Soul Leader, The Mission, and others.

Details coming soon.

NEW HOUSE CHURCH GROUP ADDED: ESCONDIDO, CA

2010-07-21T18:32:00.000-07:00

Solomons Porch
Escondido CA 92029 USA
Contact/Host: Greg Vasquez
E-mail: gregshouse1@hotmail.com

MAP

House Church info:
We are a new church starting, and would love to have you over for worship, prayer, to seek God and watch Him move! Solomons Porch is where the early church first met in the book of acts.

We are near Valley Parkway and Citricado. Thursday nights @ 6pm and Sunday mornings @ 9:30.

Meeting Days: Thursdays and Sundays
Meeting Times: Th 6:00 pm; Sun 9:30

WHAT IS A NEW TESTAMENT MODEL OF CHURCH LEADERSHIP?

2010-07-15T17:18:00.000-07:00

The church in Corinth is a fascinating example of a church with numerous moral and ethical failures, yet when Paul writes to correct them he doesn't address their Pastor and command him to fix things. In fact, he doesn't even address their Elders or Overseers to respond to this by exercising their authority over the people. Why were the pastors, or for that matter the Elders of the Church, not commanded to exercise their authority and deal with the very serious moral failures within the Church in Corinth? Perhaps because Paul understood that the Body itself was capable of coming together to correct the problem themselves. Something he hints at when he says, "Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more matters of this life?" – 1 Corinthians 6:3

A DIFFERENT KIND OF SUBMISSION
I would like to humbly suggest that "Authority", and "Submission" do not necessarily imply organizational structures are at work in the New Testament Church. Submission is something that all believers are urged to do, and authority is only to be submitted to if it is in line with God’s Word and not on the basis of an office or appointment.

"Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ." – Ephesians 5:21
Everyone is urged to submit to everyone else. It's a shared submission among brothers and sisters in Christ who are equals and who humbly care for one another. Only Christ is the head, or the leader, of the Church.

Many are of the opinion that Jesus actually taught and promoted hierarchy in the Church, something I find alarming and dangerous. But, just for a moment, let me ask, "What would we expect to see in the New Testament if Jesus DIDN'T want His Church to be run like a hierarchy? Wouldn't we expect to see Jesus condemning this practice? Perhaps he would have pointed to a hierarchical system and commanded His disciples not to follow that example?

"Jesus called them together and said, "You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." – Jesus, in the Gospel of Mark, chapter 10, verses 42-45.

Does Jesus command his disciples not to exercise authority over people? Yes, he clearly and plainly does. What, then, are today's pastors doing if they are not exercising their authority over their church members? Isn't this a fair question to ask? Am I allowed to point out the disconnect between what Jesus says and what His Church actually does, or does not, do?

Here, in the Gospel of Mark, Jesus points to the Roman Government (a secular hierarchy) and commands his disciples not to imitate this system of lording it over people or exercising authority over those who follow.

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus points to a religious system of hierarchy and instructs them (again) not to imitate this system of hierarchy where the "Teacher" is exalted over the student. Instead, he says, remember that you are all brothers:

"But you are not to be called 'Rabbi,' for you have only one Master and you are all brothers. And do not call anyone on earth 'father,' for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. Nor are you to be called 'teacher,' for you have one Teacher, the Christ. The greatest among you will be your servant. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted." – Matthew 23:8-12

Next, let's look at the Apostles themselves. If they heard Jesus commanding them to avoid the hierarchical system of leadership, wouldn't we see evidence that they obeyed this command? Did they take his words to heart? Let's see:

"Not that we lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy, because it is by faith you stand firm." - 2 Cor.1:24

Paul the Apostle obeys Jesus and refuses to "lord it over" those who follow Christ alongside him. Instead he works with them, as a brother, not as an authority figure.

"To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ's sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed: Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away." – 1 Peter 5:1-4

Here, Peter identifies himself, not as an Apostle, but as a fellow elder among the brethren. He then urges these elders (plural) to serve as overseers because they are willing, not because they have been handed a title or an appointment, and especially urges them to be careful not to "lord it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock" – as Jesus commanded him several years earlier.

Having said all of this, doesn't the New Testament ask that we submit to our leaders and their authority? Yes, it does. For example:

Hebrews 13: 17- "Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you."

Let me be clear, I am not arguing against leadership here. Not at all. Every church needs leadership, and this is also clearly taught in the New Testament, however I would like to ask us to consider the possibility that leadership doesn't automatically mean top-down, authoritarianism. Jesus modeled something different than this, and then he commanded his disciples to emulate his example.

So, going back to our verse above, you might read this and ask, "What is the basis for our submission to our leaders?" Does their authority rest in the office they hold, or is it found in something else? Are we to submit to these leaders only because they hold an office? Or are we to submit to them as they point us to follow Christ? Hopefully we do not blindly follow people because they are "the Pastor" or because they have a title of authority. Hopefully.

No, the only authority we are to submit to is Christ Himself. To me, this truth is self-evident when we look at the NT as a whole.

Earlier in this same chapter, the writer of Hebrews, in chapter 13 and verse 7 says, "Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith."

Here we are told to submit to our leaders as they speak the Word of God to us. Not to them as authorities in and of themselves, but as humble servants who lovingly teach us to follow Christ, and who then demonstrate this by their actual lives of faith.

Submission then is to Christ and to the Word of God. If our leaders handle and teach the Word of God wisely, and if they faithfully live lives that reflect Christ, THEN we are to submit to their authority. But only if. Their authority is not automatic and it is not based on the office they hold. Otherwise, we would be accountable to obey leaders simply because they held that office, regardless of whether or not their lives reflected Christ or their teaching of God's Word was true.

If we follow the policy of hierarchy for the sake of itself we can end up with someone holding an office within the Church and exercising authority even if they are not followers of Christ. Such a person should have no actual authority in any spiritual sense over the life of believers. What counts is character, not the office or the position. However, someone with no organizational office may, because of gifting by the Holy Spirit and sincere love for others, have actual authority to speak and teach and lead his brothers and sisters in Christ (who are his equals).

Churches that employ such a man-made organizational method can only hope to mimic the kind of leadership such as the "rulers of the gentiles" possess, something that Jesus expressly commanded us not to do - "It shall not be so among you!" - Matthew 20:25-26.

The Holy Spirit is the only source of spiritual authority and accountability in the Church through real-life relationships, not titles handed down by men.

Did the Apostles depend upon the authority of men or did they give any weight to the opinions of men? Apparently they did not. For example, Paul says, "Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, like some people, letters of recommendation to you or from you? You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everybody." - 2 Corinthians.3:1-2

If hierarchy was so important in the early church, why don't we see them exercising it? Why do we see them operating as a Body and not as a business? Perhaps the answers are right in front of us? Are we courageous enough to answer truthfully?

As Biblical Scholar Richard Halverson has said, "When the Greeks got the Gospel, they turned it into a philosophy; when the Romans got it, they turned it into a government; when the Europeans got it, they turned it into a culture; and when the Americans got it, they turned it into a business."

I pray we can help God's people to see that they were never intended to be run like a business, and instead to help them see that, according to the Word of God, they are simply a Family, a Body, an Organism, and a Bride.

-Keith Giles
http://www.KeithGiles.com

JON ZENS - THE CLERGY/LAITY CONFUSION

2010-07-14T17:14:00.000-07:00

The House of Eleven Windows

2010-07-14T10:22:00.000-07:00

The wife’s name was Ethel. She and her husband were once missionaries to Mexico, many years ago. Ethel was one of the few people I’ve ever met who had a genuine prophetic gifting. This means she would often have words of encouragement for people that included details only God would know. One evening, as we were having dinner in her home, Ethel told us why she had invited us over to her house.

“I have a Word for you,” she said.

After dinner she began to tell us about a vision God had shown her several months earlier on a Sunday morning. It happened when we were still on staff at the Vineyard church in Tustin – before we left to start our house church. In fact, at the time of her vision, no one knew were leaving, and no one knew we were thinking of planting a house church where 100% of the offering would go to help the poor in our community.

Ethel started by telling us how her vision began. Wendy and I had come and sat down in front of her and her husband during worship. She told us how, during the worship, she kept seeing a large, three-story house with eleven windows all over it. She kept seeing it in her mind every time she closed her eyes and so she started to pray and ask God what this picture meant. God spoke to her heart and said that it was because Wendy and I were going to be leaving and that we were going to start a house church.

Sitting there at her dinner table, Wendy and I slowly turned to look at each other in amazement. No one was aware that we were leaving to start a house church at this point in time. This was quite an on-target word of encouragement to us.

She wasn’t finished. She said that she then asked God why there were eleven windows on the house. God spoke to her heart again, as we were standing in front of her worshipping, that the eleven windows stood for eleven windows of opportunity that He was about to open up for us in this new ministry.

At the time of this dinner with Ethel, Wendy and I didn’t know where we would end up living. We had just been told by our then-current landlord that we needed to move because they wanted to sell their house. Ethel’s word of encouragement meant a lot to us because it meant that God had confirmed our calling and that He intended to bless us in this new adventure.

Soon enough we moved out of our old house, stored our belongings in a storage unit, and began searching for a new house. In a few weeks we moved into our new house in Orange, a few miles away from our old house. After a few more months we began our first house church meetings and called it “The Mission”.

After being in that new house only a few months, my family and I were leading a “Kids Club” in our home to reach out to the children in our neighborhood. We were having Thursday evening house church meetings with a handful of others and things were going pretty well.

One night, I couldn’t sleep and I got up to pray. It was about three o’clock in the morning. I went into the den where we normally host our house church gatherings and I began to pray about that word He gave us through Ethel months before. I prayed and asked God to show me more about what those “eleven windows of opportunity” really meant.

Suddenly, I realized something amazing. I started to mentally count how many windows there were in this new house we were now living in. I counted eleven windows. I mentally did the count in my head again, adding up the windows in each room one more time to be sure. Again, the number was the same. Eleven windows.

The simplicity of this realization washed over me like a flood of emotion. I sat on my couch, in the dark and began to shake my head in wonder and disbelief. All those months ago, long before anyone knew we were even thinking of starting a house church, long before we ourselves even knew where we’d end up living next, long before we’d ever started to walk out our calling to be missionaries in our city, God had this house in mind. God held this place for us. He intended for us specifically to be in this neighborhood, to minister to these children, to lead the house church in this very place. He even counted the windows and told us about it months in advance so that we’d know we were in the right place at the right time.

As I sit here writing this, in the house with eleven windows, I do not know what God is about to do next. But I do know that God has us in the right place. I do know that God has seen the end from the beginning and I know that He will carry us in His arms, as He always has before.

Just this morning, I got up to pray again. I went into the den and knelt in front of the same sofa to pray. I again remembered the word about the eleven windows. Then I started to count the doors in our house, just out of curiosity.

Can you guess how many doors there are in this house?

Keith Giles
www.KeithGiles.com

LET US BE ONE

2010-03-16T09:36:00.000-07:00

In the Gospel of John, we get to eavesdrop on the intimate conversation between Jesus and the Father. In this prayer Jesus prays for us and his prayer for us is that we would be one:

"My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message that all of them may be one, Father, just as you and I are one....May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me." - John 17:20-21

Unity in the Body is essential. According to the prayer of Jesus, our unity is a proof of the messianic identity of Jesus and of the love of God for us:

"May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me." (v. 23)

Hopefully in your experience as a follower of Jesus you have had the opportunity to meet another believer in Christ and fall in love with them immediately. I don't mean that in the romantic sense, but in the sense that you feel as if you have known them all your life even though you've only just met them.

If so, what you're experiencing is a kinship of faith with another member of your family - the Family of God. Regardless of whether or not that person is a member of your denomination, or whether or not this person agrees with you about specific points of doctrine, you have an undeniable feeling of brotherly (or sisterly) love for this individual. You are recognizing the Christ in them and you are responding to the love of Jesus shared between you both.

Whenever we experience this we are bearing witness to the unity of the Body of Christ. There is only one Body and if we have loved Jesus and put our faith in Him, we are members of His Body.
Whenever we make a decision to love the Jesus in another person - and to overlook the doctrinal points of disagreement - we are keeping the unity of the Body of Christ.

A good friend, and brother in Christ, recently pointed out to me that throughout Christian history, when christian leaders gathered to nail down points of doctrine the result was never unity - it was always more division.

Our little house church, the Mission, is comprised of a variety of different people who are all from extremely divergent streams of faith. In our house church there are former Calvary Chapel pastors and youth leaders, former Vineyard members, former Southern Baptists, former Bretheren, former Church of Christ, former Lutherans, and former independent, non-denominational, "whatchamacallits".

On paper our house church has no business surviving for over 4 years as a family of God. Yet, somehow we manage to love one another, to serve one another and to consider one another as dear brothers and sisters in Christ in spite of our obvious doctrinal differences.

How do we do it? Well, mostly we've done it by choosing to see and love the Jesus in one another. We've made a choice to overlook those doctrinal differences in favor of learning from the experiences - and varying perspectives - of others in our Body.

Now, to be honest, our house church if far from perfect. We are people, just like everyone else. We're human. We're sinners. We're just as foolish and fickle as you are. And most of all, we all recognize our intense daily need for more of Jesus.

What blesses me, however, is how God called each of us to be part of this Body. I did not recruit anyone. Most people who currently attend our house church each week found us and sought us out. I did not find them. God touched their hearts and called them out and lead them by His Spirit to join this church family. I love that God would call former Lutherans and Baptists and Church of Christ and Vineyard and Calvary Chapel, etc. members to join hearts and hands and lives and become one fellowship of saints together. I love that He would allow us to learn to forgive one another, and to honor one another, and to lay down our denominational and doctrinal identities to embrace membership in the Body of Christ.

We are part of your church. You are part of our church. All of us are members of one another. Because there is only one Body, and one Church, and One Lord.

"The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink." - 1 Cor 12:12-13 -kg

DID YOU KNOW?

2009-08-07T09:57:00.000-07:00

"From 1996 to 2006 traditional church attendance steadily declines. In the same decade house church attendance grew by 1000%" - George Barna Research Group

JUST ADDED: Vine House Churches & 2 or 3 Together

2009-08-07T09:48:00.001-07:00

If you're in the Inland Empire you'll want to check out "2 or 3 Together" house churches and if you're in the Rancho Cucamonga area be sure to stop by and get to know the good people at Vine House Church network.

(See links at left)

Looking for a house church in your area? Send an email to
OCHOUSECHURCH@GMAIL.COM and let us know where you are. We'll do our best to connect you with a house church close to home.

JUST ADDED: The Roots Church (Encinitas) & The Crossing (Whittier)

2009-08-04T19:13:00.001-07:00

If you live a little further south of Orange County, check out The Roots Church in Encinitas.

Their website is found
HERE

Or, if you live in the Whittier area you'll be blessed to join the good people at The Crossing house church.

Their info is found
HERE

SATURDAY, AUGUST 1ST - HOUSE CHURCH 101 CLASS

2009-07-24T11:35:00.000-07:00

NEXT HOUSE CHURCH 101 CLASS- SAT. AUG. 1st
Registration is FREE* (Must RSVP) by email: OCHOUSECHURCH@GMAIL.COM

HOUSE CHURCH 101
Saturday, August 1st
from 10am to 11:30am in Orange, CA

Learn more about the House Church experience and how you can start your own house church, or join an existing one, here in Orange County, California.

This FREE seminar will explore several aspects of house church including:
*Is House Church Biblical?
*What about the kids?
*Who's in charge? (Leadership in a typical house church)
*What about Spiritual Covering?
*Guarding against heretical doctrines and keeping the faith.
*Food, fellowship, family and fun in the house church context.
*God's Amazing DNA For His Church.

TO RSVP FOR THIS SPECIAL SEMINAR PLEASE EMAIL US AT OCHOUSECHURCH@GMAIL.COM

Let us know how many will be attending and we'll send you a map and more information about the "House Church 101" class.

NOTE: Attendees will also receive a free kit of information including books, messages on CD and more, while supplies last.

Just Added: Resurrection Life Church (Santa Ana)

2009-07-24T11:11:00.000-07:00

God continues to connect us to other house church fellowships all over Orange County and even in other counties and cities like Riverside, Chino Hills, and Moreno Valley.

We're excited to meet and connect with other believers who are following the New Testament church model.

Check out Resurrection Life Church in Santa Ana:
CLICK HERE

Just Added: No Walls Outreach (Moreno Valley/Riverside)

2009-07-24T11:06:00.000-07:00

Check out what God is doing through His Church up in Moreno Valley and Riverside.

No Walls Outreach
CLICK HERE

OC House Church Gathering - Saturday, July 11th

2009-07-02T09:45:00.001-07:00

Author and theologian Jon Zens will be coming to Orange County to speak to the local Orange County house churches on Saturday, July 11th from 9am to 12pm.

Location:The Home of Noel and Julie Cruz
18722 La Casita ave, Yorba Linda, CA 92886
For more info call Julie Cruz at 714-777-0098

Event is Free.
Must RSVP to attend via email (see below)

To register or for more info please email:ochousechurch@gmail.com

About Jon Zens
Dr. Zens has a wide-ranging theological background. He holds a B.A. in Biblical studies from Covenant College, a M.Div. from Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia, and a D.Min. from the California Graduate School of Theology.

For the last thirty years, Jon has been the editor of a magazine entitled Searching Together. He's not only a NT scholar, but he's an expert on church history. Jon also served as a pastor for a number of years, but moved on after concluding that full reformation within the existing institutional church system was unworkable.

You can read his story here.

Also, for the past thirty years he and his wife, Dotty, have been ministering in small fellowships concerning living under grace and learning to extend grace to others.

If you'd like to read more about Jon Zens I've included a link to an excellent debate between Jon and Ben Worthington on hierarchy in the New Testament church here:http://www.paganchristianity.org/zensresponds1.htm

New Free Resources

2009-06-29T16:41:00.000-07:00

Download Free Videos on House Church
HERE

Downloads include:

*Tidal Wave - Video resourceAn exploration of simple church It’s being called “the second reformation.” The Church… back in the hands of everyday believers. A way of life… not an event. In recent years, Christian researchers and secular media alike have taken notice of the dramatic transformation within Christianity. Tidal Wave gives an insider’s view of the worldwide phenomenon known as simple church. From living rooms to coffee shops, offices to parking lots, under trees in Africa and underground in China, these new expressions of the body of Christ are rapidly multiplying around the world.

*Pagan Christianity - Information clip
Spoof commercial for the bestselling book, Pagan Christianity by Frank Viola and George Barna - the most reviewed book by those who've never read it.

*The Rabbit and the Elephant - Information clipThis clip gives a little insight into the title of the book "The Rabbit and the Elephant" by Tony and Felicity Dale and George Barna.

*When You Come Together - Video resourceSimple Church Gatherings – What do we do? All over the world, people are moving to a simpler express of Church, longing for a place where everyone can be involved. Having answered the call to simplicity, many are asking the question “What do we actually do when we come together?” Simple church is not just a miniaturized version of what’s been done before…it’s a whole new way of life. This video explores what simple church is, and how it’s done. Film clips and interviews from half a dozen church meeting are interspersed with explanations by authors and leaders including John White, Jim Rutz, and Wolfgang Simson.

And more...

Jon Zens - Radio Interview

2009-06-24T10:38:00.000-07:00

If you can sit through the horrible theme song at the beginning and the too-long intro by the radio host, the meat of this radio interview with Jon Zens is worth the investment.

Seriously.

NEXT HOUSE CHURCH 101 CLASS- SAT. AUG. 1st

2009-06-08T14:27:00.000-07:00

Registration is FREE* (Must RSVP) by email at OCHOUSECHURCH@GMAIL.COM

HOUSE CHURCH 101Saturday, August 1st from 10am to 11:30am in Orange, CA

Learn more about the House Church experience and how you can start your own house church, or join an existing one, here in Orange County, California.

This FREE seminar will explore several aspects of house church including:
*Is House Church Biblical?
*What about the kids?
*Who's in charge? (Leadership in a typical house church)
*What about Spiritual Covering?
*Guarding against heretical doctrines and keeping the faith.
*Food, fellowship, family and fun in the house church context.
*God's Amazing DNA For His Church.

TO RSVP FOR THIS SPECIAL SEMINAR PLEASE EMAIL US AT mailto:%20OCHOUSECHURCH@GMAIL.COM

Let us know how many will be attending and we'll send you a map and more information about the "House Church 101" class.

NOTE: Attendees will also receive a free kit of information including books, messages on CD and more.

UPDATE: ILLEGAL BIBLE STUDY IN SAN DIEGO

2009-06-04T08:44:00.000-07:00

In late May of 2009 county official overturned the warning issued to the Joneses.

In a statement a county CAO Walt Ekard responded saying:
"I have received dozens of e-mails and calls from people concerned about reports that the County is attempting to muzzle religious expression by shutting down a neighborhood Bible study. As the Chief Administrative Officer for San Diego County, I want to say in the most direct terms: the County has never tried to stifle religious expression and never will."

FULL STORYHERE

Relax everyone. The issue is resolved. Our religious freedoms remain intact. This is still America.

LeaveTheBuilding.com - New Resource Added

2009-05-29T08:44:00.000-07:00

Just added - New link to LeaveTheBuilding.com , a new online resource for people looking to start a house church in their community.

HOME BIBLE STUDIES ARE ILLEGAL IN SAN DIEGO?

2009-05-28T15:45:00.000-07:00

A local pastor and his wife claim a San Diego County official threatened escalating fines if they continued to hold Bible Studies in their home.
FULL VIDEO CLIP VIA ABC NEWS SAN DIEGO HERE

So, what would I do if it suddenly became illegal to continue hosting house church gatherings in my home?

What if it became illegal to continue passing out free groceries to the poor or the homeless?

Would I continue to obey Jesus and risk being arrested, or thrown into prison, or fined thousands of dollars by the county?

Maybe I'll find out sooner rather than later...?

PRAYER REQUEST - KEN EASTBURN OF THE WELL

2009-05-13T08:55:00.000-07:00

Ken Eastburn, founder and pastor of The Well house church network was taken to the hospital over the weekend. Ken has a leaky aorta valve in his heart. They found it a few years ago and they have been watching it ever since.

This past Wednesday Ken was having serious chest pain and his left arm was throbbing and tingling. He refused to go to the hospital hoping it would go away by itself. But this time the pain did not get much better and by the next afternoon he felt somthing was wrong. He said it felt different than before and he hasn't been acting like himself.

The Doctors did some tests, an EKG and some blood work, and they both came back normal. They ordered a cardiology consult to discuss what else to do to locate the problem.

Ken is home now and resting. Please keep him and his family in your prayers at this time.

Just Added: CoffeehouseChurches.com Resource

2009-04-14T09:02:00.000-07:00

Planting the “SIMPLE ESSENCE” of the Body of Christ - the Church - in every overlooked relationship group.

COFFEHOUSECHURCHES SLIDESHOW

This free PDF slideshow provides some food for thought about how traditional churches can help support efforts to reach the community by planting coffeehouse style churches in places where people are already gathering.

Great idea, and a real hope for the future of the Body of Christ to engage the culture in a more relevant way.

NEXT HOUSE CHURCH 101 CLASS - SAT. MAY 2ND

2009-04-07T08:43:00.000-07:00

Registration is FREE* (Must RSVP) by email at OCHOUSECHURCH@GMAIL.COM

HOUSE CHURCH 101
Saturday, May 2nd from 10am to 11:30am
In Orange, CA

Learn more about the House Church experience and how you can start your own house church, or join an existing one, here in Orange County, California.

This FREE seminar will explore several aspects of house church including:
*Is House Church Biblical?
*What about the kids?
*Who's in charge? (Leadership in a typical house church)
*What about Spiritual Covering?*Guarding against heretical doctrines and keeping the faith.
*Food, fellowship, family and fun in the house church context.
*God's Amazing DNA For His Church.

TO RSVP FOR THIS SPECIAL SEMINAR PLEASE EMAIL US AT mailto: OCHOUSECHURCH@GMAIL.COM

Let us know how many will be attending and we'll send you a map and more information about the "House Church 101" class.

NOTE: Attendees will also receive a free kit of information including books, messages on CD and more.

INTRODUCING THE VCMN HOUSE CHURCH START UP KIT

2009-02-26T15:05:00.000-08:00

We are excited to bring you this all-in-one startup kit for those interested in a one-stop resource for starting a house church or other community based ministry.

Included in the kit:

3 Books - "The Church Comes Home" by Robert & Julia Banks, "Missional House Churches" by J.D. Payne and "Starting a House Church" by Kreider & McClung.

4 Teaching Cd's from Bill Faris, Keith Giles and Charity Leslie on how to start, lead and plant a house church.

Find out more and order online
HERE

Looking To Start or Join a House Church in Orange County?

2009-02-10T08:26:00.000-08:00

Looking to Visit or Join?
There are several great house church groups in Orange County you can visit. Start by looking through the links at the left. The Well, Vineyard Community Mission Network, The Mission and Matthew's House (in Oceanside) are all great house church fellowships who would love to welcome you.

Looking to Start a House Church In Orange County?
We also have a wealth of resources available for free here at OCHouseChurch.com. Great articles by practitioners like Frank Viola, Keith Giles, W.C. Ketcherside and others will help you answer practical questions like "What do we do with the children?", "What is House Church?", "Why House Church?", "What about leadership and tithing?" and lots more.

If you need any help answering a question or finding a house church in your area, OR if you know of a house church in Orange County that we should be listing here, please contact us at
OCHOUSECHURCH@GMAIL.COM

Blessings!

HOUSE CHURCH 101 - THIS SATURDAY

2009-02-03T08:43:00.000-08:00

Registration is FREE* (Must RSVP) by email at OCHOUSECHURCH@GMAIL.COM

HOUSE CHURCH 101
Saturday, Feb. 7th
10am to 11:30am
In Orange, CA

Learn more about the House Church experience and how you can start your own house church, or join an existing one, here in Orange County, California.

This FREE seminar will explore several aspects of house church including:
*Is House Church Biblical?
*What about the kids?
*Who's in charge? (Leadership in a typical house church)
*What about Spiritual Covering?
*Guarding against heretical doctrines and keeping the faith.
*Food, fellowship, family and fun in the house church context.
*God's Amazing DNA For His Church.

TO RSVP FOR THIS SPECIAL SEMINAR PLEASE EMAIL US AT mailto:ATOCHOUSECHURCH@GMAIL.COM

Let us know how many will be attending and we'll send you a map and more information about the "House Church 101" class.

LOOKING TO JOIN, VISIT OR START A HOUSE CHURCH?

2008-11-21T08:53:00.000-08:00

There are several house churches in Orange County to choose from.

Visit one of the house churches linked at left by following the links and/or email us here at OCHouseChurch@gmail.com to find out more.

Each house church listed on this site is an autonomous body of believers. We are not all from the same background and we do not all worship or gather in exactly the same way, however we love and support one another as members of the Family of God and as followers of Jesus the Messiah.

If you have a house church in the Orange County area and would like us to list your information here, please contact us at the email address above.

Blessings!

NEXT HOUSE CHURCH 101 CLASS - FEBRUARY 7TH

2008-11-03T13:00:00.000-08:00

Registration is FREE* (Must RSVP)

Learn more about the House Church experience and how you can start your own house church, or join an existing one, here in Orange County, California.

This seminar will explore several aspects of house church including:
*Is House Church Biblical?
*What about the kids?
*Who's in charge? (Leadership in a typical house church)
*What about Spiritual Covering?
*Guarding against heretical doctrines and keeping the faith.
*Food, fellowship, family and fun in the house church context.
*God's Amazing DNA For His Church.

TO RSVP FOR THIS SPECIAL SEMINAR PLEASE EMAIL US AT
mailto:ATOCHOUSECHURCH@GMAIL.COM

Let us know how many will be attending and we'll send you a map and more information about the "House Church 101" class.

HOUSE CHURCH 101 - NOV. 1ST

2008-10-08T08:37:00.000-07:00

Join us for our next "House Church 101" class on Saturday, November 1st from 10am to 11:30am.

Registration is FREE* (Must RSVP)

Learn more about the House Church experience and how you can start your own house church, or join an existing one, here in Orange County, California.

This seminar will explore several aspects of house church including:
*Is House Church Biblical?
*What about the kids?
*Who's in charge? (Leadership in a typical house church)
*What about Spiritual Covering?
*Guarding against heretical doctrines and keeping the faith.
*Food, fellowship, family and fun in the house church context.
*God's Amazing DNA For His Church.

TO RSVP FOR THIS SPECIAL SEMINAR PLEASE EMAIL US ATmailto:OCHOUSECHURCH@GMAIL.COM

Let us know how many will be attending and we'll send you a map and more information about the "House Church 101" class.

Read about our first "House Church 101" class
HERE

"House Church 101" - Registration Now Open

2008-09-04T10:09:00.000-07:00

"House Church 101"

Saturday, October 4th
10am to 11:30am
at Triangle Square in Costa Mesa, CA

Registration is FREE* (Must RSVP)

Join us at Triangle Square to learn more about the House Church experience and how you can start your own house church, or join an existing one, here in Orange County, California.

This seminar will explore several aspects of house church including:
*Is House Church Biblical?
*What about the kids?
*Who's in charge? (Leadership in a typical house church)
*What about Spiritual Covering?
*Guarding against heretical doctrines and keeping the faith.
*Food, fellowship, family and fun in the house church context.
*God's Amazing DNA For His Church.

TO RSVP FOR THIS SPECIAL SEMINAR PLEASE EMAIL US AT
OCHOUSECHURCH@GMAIL.COM

Let us know how many will be attending and we'll send you a map and more information about the "House Church 101" class.

Our "House Church 101" class will be lead by Pastor Keith Giles, founder of "The Mission" house church in Orange, California and the author of the books, "The Gospel: For Here Or To Go?" and "Nobody Follows Jesus (So Why Should You?)".

So, You Want To Start A House Church?

2008-08-28T15:34:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the Orange County House Church Network.

If you're interested in finding out more about House Churches, please contact us at OCHouseChurch@gmail.com and let us know. We'd be happy to help you find a local house church family to connect with or show you how to start your very own house church in your community.