HOME CHURCH VS. LARGE CHURCH?
One of the tensions in the part of the world where I live is contention between the right way of Christian community and gathering. For someone who is very vested in the need for solid Christian discipleship, I have found myself in this discourse many times.
To confess publicly, sometimes confused in the past.
At the inception of COVID-19, it appeared that the proponents of the ‘HOME CHURCH ONLY’ network sensed the need to emphasize this as the only right approach to Christian gathering and how the church has turned a deaf ear to this for many years.
As things unfolded with COVID-19 and every form of gathering was banned, irrespective of numbers, alas, everyone has been affected! Many have had to default to leveraging online platforms has a means of fellowship but truth be told, this measure is extremely limiting and can never replace our need for fellowship and human connection.
One of my friends from our church community rode by my house on his bicycle few days back, I was excited to see him but could only stand 6ft away due to social distancing. I was happy to see him but could not hug, shake hands at all. I have missed all that, the late night conversations over pizza in different homes, the affections and many more.
As I ponder on all these, the state of the church and the issues that have divided us, it is occurring to me that the primary issue is NOT necessarily
HOW WE GATHER but THE PRODUCT OF OUR GATHERING.
COVID 19 has perhaps successfully done one thing— exposed the foundation of every Christian. Have you been well built up in the word and prayers to have an enduring relationship with God when your external infrastructures are temporarily removed? A relationship not based on what He can do for you but a genuine love relationship of intimacy?
Many of our gatherings have cheated both the bride and the bridegroom of a loving and intimate relationship and of this, we all need to repent! We have allowed the enemy to use trivialities to blind us from the potent.
As we anticipate our new world in the “AC” (after COVID-19), I sense the Church needs to awake to righteousness and clearly think, are we producing disciples who are growing into the stature of the Son of God?
For that to happen, may I suggest these three indispensables:
One-on-one Discipleship
There is no one who has ever come to Christian maturity who never had the privilege of life on life. This has been widely displaced and ignored by many church communities - both large gatherings and home churches. It’s time for all leaders to equip individuals who equip individuals who equip others. Jesus is concerned about the “one.” Who are you doing life with individually? Who are you pouring into and replicating Christ life in you. Whatever your form of gathering is, busyness of ministry must not take this away from you. If you are only concerned about growing “wide,” you will ignore this avenue that allows believers to grow “deep.”
Small Group Gathering
Discipleship exists in the context of community and none of us will ever outgrow our need for small community. The importance of this can never be over-emphasized as it gives room for what the scriptures call “what every joint supplies.” Every believer in Christ has something unique to offer and supply to the body of Christ. If our form of gathering doesn’t promote the treasure in the earthen vessel of every believer, there should be a need to reconsider.
Large Group Worship
While this is the most popular and most contended against, it is important to note that ‘abuse’ does not necessarily mitigate against ‘use.’ There is no need to “throw away the baby with the bath water.” If this is efficiently maximized, it gives room for equipping the saints in teaching. There is something powerful when believers lift their voices in worship in mass. To be honest, these large gatherings have come to stay. The emphasis now shouldn’t be on this being the only means of gathering or how is it being deployed but an expression. It is also important to note that the word “large group” is relative. There are some home churches larger than some traditional churches.
My prayer is that the church would arise in power and strength—I know we will. It may be a time to review what people are being fed, move from the “me-centric” worship to fully embrace the “centrality of Christ” in His Church.
I call you blessed.
Faithfully,
Mo Obayomi
Pastor, His Holy Hill Church
**Pastor Mo has been a part of the ILC since 2017. Originally from Nigeria, he currently pastors a multicultural congregation in Murfreesboro, TN.