This isn't surprising. Considering when you put more people into a mix, it is that much more difficult to make everyone happy. Since everyone has their own opinions and views, there is never a church where people are going to agree 100% with everything a church teaches or believes. I don't agree 100% with everything our church does, but I still trust our elders to lead us in the way God sees fit. Some people think that churches should be perfect...which is impossible because they are ran by flawed people. Some people also look in search of that perfect chuch, which results in church hopping because they continuously find and pick at the flaws (even the smallest) and can't learn to just agree to disagree. Sigh...it's sad really. More people would enjoy corporate worship and their church family to the fullest if they would just put down their heads and lay down their hearts instead of being fixed on finding perfection in something that doesn't exsist.
Jackie - I do not know of any churches around here that have a Saturday night service. There is one that my ex mother in law goes to that has a Wednesday night service but that wouldn't work either because he doesn't get home sometime till close to 7 and the service begins at 7. We live in the country so it'd take at least 15-20 minutes to get there. Krista thank you for sharing your home church experiences! If I could find another family or two I would totally gives this a try. The one church I want to try out only has service Sundays at 9am. I know people that go there, met the pastor and his wife at a football game and a friend's husband I have met through Samantha's dance team leads worship. I think what I will do for now is try and find some sort of devotional guide or study that we can do as a family so at least we are getting something. Then I am praying that dh will get a raise (his boss has briefly mentioned the possibility) and won't HAVE to work every weekend. Maybe then we can give this church a try.
Praying for you girl! If I find anything else out there that would help I will swing the info your way.
I will pray for you. I do not think it is good for a family to do home church on their own. I am not judging you or anything...I just don't think you can do all the local church is supposed to do and represent on your own. What about supporting missions? What about tithing? What about serving? If you can work out all the details and be a church that models the biblical church than who can say anything, right? Just be careful that your intention to worship God in your way ends up not worshiping at all. I don't mean you won't do church...I mean it won't really be the proper worship service. We are also not supposed to be isolated from other believers. Now saying all that...I completely understand what you are saying and understand why you want to do home church. I also hope you know that I am not judging you, telling you what to do, or questioning your intention or spirituality. I am simply saying that home church only among family members in this manner may not fulfill what a local church is set up to do biblically...and if it does not you will have issues. I have issues at my current church. However, the Lord has not lead us to leave. Not sure why....but He says no. I had to realize that just like soldiers in the military I don't ways get a say in where I serve. Think about it...that may or may not apply to you. I think you have the best of intentions and I pray the Lord guides you in the right direction.
Jen thanks! Ava Rose I DO NOT think you are judging me! Or telling me what to do! You know that I respect your opinion and because I know you I know you'd never come across like that to me. The bottom line is I want to go to church but it isn't happening. I don't want to go to a new church without my husband. I need to wait on him I guess. I dunno I just think at this point something is better than nothing ya know? Actually I'd love to attend a homechurch with other families or have it in our home but where to start? I don't know.
YES! If this is between not going to church or doing home church than do home church. Make your focus and prayers every Sunday morning to either have other couples and families join you or for God to guide you to a church home. If you don't do home church and end up in the habit of not going that would be detrimental to your whole family. You need to keep shining your armor and keep those faith muscles flexed for the Lord to guide you and your husband. I think it is wise to want your dh to attend. If the habit is that you and your girls go and he does not...it may take years to change that if ever. It is so easy to not go back to church. Stay prayerful and keep the Lord first...if that means home church for now than do it. Pray about it and see what happens. If you are looking for a bible study you may want to try http://www.jamesknox.com/biblestudy/biblestudy.htm. There are quite a few series..just keep scrolling down...and they are all FREE! The Basic Doctrine is fantastic...I suggest you start there.
OH...and there is a lesson under the Basic Doctrine on the Local Church. That may help you focus your own efforts in honoring the Lord at home or give you a guideline of what to look for. I know it is hard to find a church. I have a friends who are former missionaries and are having trouble finding a church home. They have done home church many times and throughout their search. I once had the opportunity to be involved...it was beautiful.
You might consider giving a tithe to a mission organization until you and your husband is able to go somewhere. I agree with Ava, BTW. If it's between not going to church, or doing home church, go ahead. God knows your heart. He sees that you have the DESIRE to go, but also your desire for your HUSBAND to be a spiritual leader. And He will honor BOTH of those desires.
I do not feel judged. But I do want to address these, I want respond - not in defense, but so that you know. I hope that makes sense. For supporting missions? We support several missionaries monthly. Some stateside, some oversees. As well as sponsoring a Compassion child for each of our children. I, personally, don't see how this is different that giving money to a church and for them to give to missionaries. Tithing - we do not tithe and we do not believe in tithing. We are hilarious givers though, and don't limit ourselves to an obligatory tenth of what we earn. We give every day, in little ways, we give a lot in other ways. Our philosophy is that NOTHING we have is ours, it is all HIS to do with as He pleases. Verses that come to mind with giving, are like those of David's "I will not sacrifice that which costs me nothing". We give, sometimes even until it hurts. The other thing i have with tithing is (especially in the mega churches), your tithings are going to run the church building, paying electric bills, paying salaries, etc. Meeting in a home ALL OF our giving goes to those it was meant for. NOT to the costs of overhead. They were to sell what they had and give to those in need - not pay the water bill. Serving - without a church - I am able to serve where GOD provides me to serve. I am not limited to the 4 walls of a building to serve as a Sunday School Teacher, Worship Team, etc. I can get my hands dirty and get blisters on my feet by serving. And not being tied to a schedule deemed by others. We can visit the elderly (and we do), we can serve the poor (and we do), we can help whenever and where-ever the call comes. Okay, maybe I am coming off as defensive here, but I'm really not trying too. I'm trying to show another perspective. We are accountable. To each other, and my husband especially, to God. I will admit, also, that I was VERY resistant to home churching when we first started, for all the reasons that you mentioned. VERY. God did a major work in me. And I can look back on that journey and see how God has worked, how He has changed us as a couple and as a family. Nothing a "church" would have done for us.
Hey Krista...thanks for your post. You do not sound defensive. I am pleased you responded. You know churches started out in homes originally. Your post makes sense and puts on a perspective that I had not had before. THANK YOU!
Good. I didn't want to come off snippy!!! Just like homeschooling, homechurching is NOT for everyone. I figure, though, we're already go-getters! I am actually starting a women's bible study in the spring with our loose homeschooling coop yahoo group we have. Looking forward to that. That is where i will satisfy the "not forsaking the coming together" with other believers.
There is a LOT about home church that greatly appeals to me, but I also want to obey Hebrews 10:25 which I interpret as gathering together with other believers for worship, fellowship, instruction in the word, and serving each other. But that doesn't mean we can't also do our own little "home church" during the other days of the week. I have no problems with those who only do home church. That is all we did for a while when I was growing up.
I think not going to a church and doing it at home takes more discipline than most families will exhibit in the long run. It would be too easy, IMO, to get off track, slack, and get out of the Word too much. Too many open doors for laziness. Ladies, those of you who have hubbys who would normally attend with you, but their schedules fo not permit it due to work, you need to get your butt up and take your kids! lol! This is coming from someone who has been taking her kid(s) to church without my husband for almost 10 years now!!! It IS hard, and discouraging, and it takes discipline, but it IS necessary. I am not against home churches if there are multiple families. You need accountability. There is a website you can search to see if there are any home churches near you or eve START one! http://homechurch.meetup.com The Bible says to not forsake the assembling together. (Heb 10:23-25 KJV) Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised {24} And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: {25} Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. I know first hand how it can get easy to skip church and get out of the habit. And yes, many churches have false prophets and messed up doctrines, and hypocrites, and are watered down, but just the same you can find a good one too. It is good to serve in a local body. Get grounded and rooted, lest you be tossed to and fro. Just my opinion....
