A Blog for the Church

Last week Ali and I went to Trafford, Pennsylvania to visit our friends and the house church community that they are a part of.

We arrived on Thursday and left the following Wednesday. Other than Sunday morning, I wasn’t really sure what we would be doing other than visiting with our friends. But the church embraced us and made sure they took care of us.

On Saturday and before church on Sunday some of them had commented to me that their church seemed to be a bit stagnant and at times chaotic.

When we started the meeting after the Lord’s Supper, prayer and singing, our host Matt indicated that I “was on.” I thanked them for inviting us but then did more asking questions and listening than talking.

As they talked they vented a little but were all convinced that house church was better than where most of them had come from. One couple had been Jehovah’s Witnesses for years. A few had grown up in very traditional churches and some had grown up Catholic, which is common for this area.

Some of the members in this house church had been together for over 3 years! I encouraged them and reminded them that many house churches don’t last nearly that long. They were also sure that it was only God that could have kept them together for this long. Just like any family, they have had their good times and times of near implosion.

It’s Not About Me

I tried my best to remind them that house church was not “about them.” And that when they came together it was to meet each other’s needs rather than seek to get their own needs met. This is not about being a consumer but about denying ourselves, picking up our crosses daily and following Jesus. Even though I was not telling them anything new, that seemed to be a bit of a collective “ah-ha” moment for the group.

Sunday was a great day. It was a God day. I think everyone was encouraged. I know I was. It is exciting to see a group with such incredible potential to do great things for God.

By Tuesday night we had been with this group each day for four days. We prayed sang, laughed, cried and ate a lot! They were so appreciative that we had come to spend time with them, but in reality we were the ones who were blessed.