Talk:House church
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[edit] Should Simple Church be Merged?
I would not like to see this article merged, at least not at this point. Right now, the term "simple church" is used in some cricles instead of or in opposition to "house church" for several reasons that I've heard. First, some want a new name because they want to emphasize the missional component of simple church that has not always been present in some house church stereotypes. Second, some wish to distance themselves from the "grumpy" stereotype some have of the house church movement as being a movement of regular church drop-outs. Third, there is a significant group of practioners who do not plant churches exclusively in houses, so they find the term "house church" as referring to place, while simple church refers to ecclesiological values. While I use the terms as synonoyms to a certain extent, I am very aware that not all of those who prefer "simple church" would be happy with that. I think of all the reasons I've heard, the biggest reason why not to merge is that the difference in names reflects a difference in values for some.
Until the useage becomes synonomous and the newer "simple church" movement works out its identity in relation to the older and more established house church movement, merger would be premature. Oakiebsc 22:54, 30 October 2006 (UTC)
I attend a "house church" and I would also not like to see a merging of the articles of "house church" and "simple church" The message of the two kinds of churches are different. The house churches have a scriptural backing for their actions and it is not just about making church simpler. It is about a restoration and an advancement in the blue print of the Master Planner. User: Mecartz
Thanks, Mecartz. You bring up a good point. Many feel references to meeting in houses in the Bible is linked strongly to the practice of "House Church". No such connection could be attached to "simple church". It fits the category of missional or ecclesiological method, not scriptural directive. I talked with a Missiologist and college professor who has studied house church, simple church, and similar movements this past week about the difference in the labels, and he seemed to agree. Based on this feedback, I've taken Alphachimp's advice and removed the merge request from "Simple Church". Oakiebsc 01:34, 6 November 2006 (UTC)
[edit] Appropriate category?
Should this article really be part of the Pentecostal and charismatic category? Do all or most house churches fit this description? I'm not really familiar w/the movement (otherwise I wouldn't be asking this ;) Gwimpey 05:27, 29 December 2005 (UTC)
No, House Churches can come from any Christian tradition whatsoever.--Lance W. Haverkamp 01:43, 22 April 2006 (UTC) Doctorate in Ministry student.
Some house churches (note small letter) are beginning to go 'post-Pentecost'. See Lev 23 where the feasts of the Lord, symbolic of New Testament worship, are enumerated. The constant truths of Passover and Pentecost (salvation and baptism of the Holy Spirit) still remain a foundation to be built upon in coming into the 'fullness' of Christ. Mecartz.
[edit] Home Church Month
IMHO, this section is just an announcement, and not worth including in a Wikipedia article, except possibly as a link. I hate to make such a major edit without discussion, though. --Hooponopono 19:52, 14 June 2006 (UTC)
Absolutely; somebody ought to just take it off — especially since it's already past — and put in some meaningful information. Like some stuff about the Barna surveys, Revolution, and the like. The house church movement is too important to have such a small page. --God's Webmaster 23:23, 8 July 2006 (UTC)
[edit] Major Edits
I agree. This article used to have a lot more information in it about "house church" and its origins but it appears that most of it has been removed. The whole article has changed to match the views of what some people who do house church want it to be. The announcment about House Church Month and the inclusion of what large organizations are supporting it now. These modifications seem to try to argue/prove the "credibility" of the house church movement rather than providing real information on a topic. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 24.116.125.25 (talk • contribs) 15:41, 22 June 2006 (UTC)
Well, I did some work on this page. Is that better? I went ahead and removed the cleanup tag; feel free to re-post it if you feel that this page needs more cleanup.--God's Webmaster 23:19, 17 September 2006 (UTC)
[edit] Link Cleanup
I cleaned up and organized the "external links" section - it was getting to be a mess. In the interest of full disclosure, I am the webmaster of Free House Church Resources. I tried, however, not to vaunt our website over others.
Please note that the lists are alphabetized. Let's try to keep them that way. It is much more professional.--God's Webmaster 20:00, 17 September 2006 (UTC)
