On Home Churches
A few days ago, a new acquaintance that knew I was a minister within the independent sacramental movement, asked me if I had knowledge of a priest that had left the Roman Catholic church and became a minister in the independent movement. Not knowing this particular Father, I “Googled†his name and found a list of independent churches across the nation, a list that I had not previously been aware of. Some of the churches mentioned had links to their websites, so out of curiosity I took the initiative to peruse their web sites. On one I found the most interesting and inspiring story 
of how the church got started when the minister ran an add in a local paper and a few families responded by showing up for service which at first was held in the minister’s garage then after time they moved to a larger location. Finally the congregation was able to obtain a “brick and mortar†structure to call home. This story is one I have seen repeated over and over since I became a part of the independent church movement.
Traditional denominations “seed†new churches or missions with the financial support of existing congregations. The donations from Brothers and Sisters in Christ of one community, helping to create a church home for Brethren in a neighboring community or perhaps in a locale far far away. None the less ministries of traditional denominations have this support structure, a luxury that independent ministries simply do not have. Often times those ministries that are independent of the more traditional denominations, conduct home or house church, the worship service being held in the minister’s home or perhaps the home of one of the laity.
We have heard stories of faith detailing how barns or other out buildings (even garages) have been lovingly transfigured or remodeled into make shift houses of God. Some say this is how it was with the early church, meeting in various places without the benefit of a structure built for the express purpose of worshipping God.
For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them Matthew 18:20
With this verse as a corner stone and the history of the faith of the early Christians as a foundation, modern day house churches have built upon this concept, some remaining as congregations meeting in a member’s house and others going on to build beautiful but usually small structures of worship. We must never lose sight of the fact that our Lord Jesus Christ preached in the temple as well as out of doors, where ever there were ears to hear and hearts to receive his message.  He was just as comfortable preaching on a hill top, at a street corner, or in a synagogue, it made no difference to him, and we should reevaluate our preconceived notions of what a “church†is, be a massive mega church, a grand cathedral, or the home of a member of a small group ministry/congregation. We should always keep in mind the message of Matthew 18:20 remembering that he is always in our midst where ever we are gathered together in his name.