THE QUESTION:How does your house church deal with (or avoid) the issue of finances?
Leave a comment, we want to hear what you have to say

Money matters. We all know this. For those of us who are part of the movement to return to the simple roots of the New Testament Church, we have also recognized there is something quite wrong about how the “traditional church” in America has dealt with finances. Neil Cole, a simple church thought leader, says that nothing slows down organic church multiplication like Buildings, Budgets, and Bigshots. I would say we have alot of all three. One might even look at the American church and surmise that church and finances are like oil and water…they just don’t mix.

Many house churches have sought to eliminate the resource draining “three B’s,” but in their place is a vacuum. I have been apart of, and read about, a multitude of church networks. Almost without exception, there is a lack of clarity around the issues of finances. I have felt prompted by the Spirit to begin revisiting what the Scripture has to say about finances, and hear what other spiritual families are learning. Also, since I have a full time job in web design, I can ask these questions without some of the awkwardness that others might feel who raise support.

So I would love to hear from you…How does your house church deal with (or avoid) the issue of finances?

Here are some questions I am exploring.

• What does the Bible say about how we are to use our finances to further the kingdom of God?
• Can we, or should we, prioritize how we use our money? Potential areas of usage are the poor, brothers & sisters in Christ, apostles (overseers of larger church networks), etc.
• We are the richest nation in the world, and yet we as a nation and individual people are increasingly in debt. What are the consequences of this as a body of Christ? How can we show a “different way?”
• Who are the people in our church networks that should be freed up, or kept free, to lead the church without the potential distraction of outside employment? Are we supporting them? If not, do they feel free to ask for support?
• The issue of finances can raise such confusion and fear. I know as a pastor’s kid, I saw how money could divide in church politics. How can we approach this differently, organically, simply?
• Jesus was far more concerned about questions than answers, he almost never directly answered a question. So, what are the QUESTIONS Jesus wants us to be asking about money, what questions DID he ask about money? How will joining with him in that dialogue enrich our spiritual families?

What are your thoughts?
What are your questions?

This is a brief note that Michael Tummillo sent to all the folks on his mailing list and it is very simple yet very powerful, so I thought I would share it:

Last Saturday, I drove 3 hours to a small Texas town where a man had asked me to come and explain the Simple Church/House Church concept to him and some others at his home. We had a wonderful 2 hour meeting and I left by laying hands upon them and releasing them into this new ministry.

Yesterday, that same man wrote with the questions: “How do we begin the meeting? What atmosphere do we try to create?”

As I responded I wondered how many others might have similar concerns. So, I am sending the response I sent him to you, too!

Here it is:

1 Cor 14:26 says, “What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church.”

I’ve stopped inviting people to “church” or even “Home Church,” “House Church” or “Simple Church.” This whole thing is to happen organically. Since everyone we know EATS, I simply invite people to dinner! During the course of the evening, we may wind up counseling, praying for people the way I prayed for you guys on Saturday. We have even piled in the van and gone places to minister to others. At times, we’ve wound up playing games. The #1 goal: become a family! Think “family reunion.” We share our lives, not merely an hour. Someone with a guitar may lead us in a few songs but it’s not something we do every time. Worship, after all, is a lifestyle. Even our work is actually a form of worship. Before anybody leaves, we ALWAYS ask if we can pray for them. Most times, that winds up with laying on hands, anointing with oil, tears and even deliverance!

At the proper time, you will be given the opportunity to share that this IS as much church as anything we Christians do on Sundays in a building. The BEST part of House Church is the meetings AFTER the meetings…the lunches, the movies, the phone calls and emails, the walks in the park with people who feel loved enough to open up and seek counsel and prayer.

Resist the urge to get “churchy” and just be brothers in Christ. Don’t argue doctrine. Don’t preach. If teaching is done, try and teach the Doctrine of Christ (just ask and Ill give you my “Jesus Said It” study). Focus on the many “One another” verses in Scripture. People are lonely, hurting, feel unaccepted, judged…people listened to Jesus because He sounded different among the religious voices of the day. So, love them, accept them, make them feel special and remind them of their worthiness before God.

Does that help?

In time, you’ll get to know more people who are into meeting this way and you’ll fellowship with them. On occasion, a traveling minister will pass through town and you will all gather your church families and eat and love and laugh and listen as The Church did when Paul was in Troas. I’ll keep you abreast of regional things you can tap into.

Some of your people may still wish to attend traditional church. Fine! They’re family, too! Let your people know that it’s Ok. The most important thing is to be led by the Spirit and do as He says.