Home churches anyone?
I was just wondering what everyone's opinion was on home churches (I think they are called integrated churches as well).
Here is where I stand: I have seen a lot of bad things come from home churches. It basically boils down to no accountability and the leaders invent "scripture." The ones who don't stray too far end up becoming very legalistic and clickish (is that a word?). The others progress down a dangerous path and you end up with David Koresh and Waco. There was a situation like this where I grew up in Ohio and there were murders involved when a family wanted to leave the "church." It was the benchmark cult before Waco.
I'm not saying it can't work, but I have not seen a whole bunch of success so I naturally question why people want to go this route.
What are your opinions?
Here is where I stand: I have seen a lot of bad things come from home churches. It basically boils down to no accountability and the leaders invent "scripture." The ones who don't stray too far end up becoming very legalistic and clickish (is that a word?). The others progress down a dangerous path and you end up with David Koresh and Waco. There was a situation like this where I grew up in Ohio and there were murders involved when a family wanted to leave the "church." It was the benchmark cult before Waco.
I'm not saying it can't work, but I have not seen a whole bunch of success so I naturally question why people want to go this route.
What are your opinions?
posted by Truth Seeker at 10/06/2006 07:35:00 PM
6 Comments:
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Well, it's interesting you ask this, Doug, because I have been doing a lot of reading and researching on the Family Integrated Church. I'm not sure if we are talking about the same things, but the FIC I am referring to basically stands on Southern Baptist principles, but instead puts the emphasis on fathers as the spiritual leaders and main teachers of children and mothers as helpers/servants to their families — all of which I feel is scriptural and right. The FIC that I have researched can be a really good thing in my opinion.
To be honest with you, we have been seriously researching this church with a great deal of interest. But (and that's a big BUT), we have recently done a total and complete 180. A complete turnaround. I came across some people who are FIC, and they scared me so bad with their legalistic dogma that we're running as far in the opposite direction as we possibly can.
I'm certain that different FIC's are different, and possibly we shouldn't make our decisions on one experience, but the situation was severe enough for us to stop right where we were and say NO WAY.
This is only our opinion, and I know of some very godly and amazing Christians who are also looking into FIC -- and I completely trust in their decisions and support them 100%.
All that said, I'm not sure you are talking about Family Integrated Churches in particular or just plain old home churches. I don't really know what the latter is, but it doesn't sound like it could be good because of the lack of leadership and accountability. I can't say more since I don't really know. I can only say it doesn't sound right to me at first glance.
P.S. "cliquish" is a word. :)
I'm really curious about the "deleted" comment at the top!
I do not believe this is the church for me. My bottom line is if everyone who believes so strongly about fathers leading their homes and the spiritual responsibility being more on the familes and less on the church, if all of these people leave the church, who will continue to minister to those (especially the children, who don't have any say) who are still in the church?
I truly believe many of the tenets of the FIC. I also do not hold hard and fast to most of the structure of the modern church. However, where we are right now, God has given me a heart for the people. When I go to church, I don't see the building and the structure and the budget - I see the people and respond to their hearts. Because of that, I feel called to minister to them in the way Christ leads me.
It may be by introducing some new ideas or concepts, or speaking my heart about things I have studied. It may be in singing and playing with kids and getting to know them. It may be a myriad of things. But that is where I am right now.
I have thought about this a lot - I have done a lot of reading, and talking, and praying. This is where we are right now.
I'm not sure about the deleted comment at the top. I know I did not delete it. I also know I started this topic on this blog and it was linked from another blog, so I'm not sure if that has something to do with it.
Leisa, yes, we are talking about the same thing. If they are called Family Integrated Churches, then that is what I am talking about.
Doug, please tell us more about the situation in Ohio. And was David Koresh's church FIC?
Please also tell us what you mean by inventing Scripture.
I need to know more.
And I need you to post more.
And comment on my site more.
I need my Peter Funt comments as much as I need Mrs. Peter Funt's comments. Which brings me to my next question. Where are you Ms. Gina?
This is one of the many reasons why our kids will be homeschooled:
http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/2006-10-09-school-security_x.htm
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