Here are a few more thoughts from the National House Church Conference:
Disciples vs. the crowd.
My friend Thomas Wynn led the Friday night session. Thomas spoke about being a disciple. This topic was particularly appealing to me because it is one we have been talking about at The Well a lot this year.
In the gospels, what was the difference between being a disciple of Jesus and being part of the crowd that followed him? Jesus spoke to the crowd in parables; Jesus gave his disciples the “secrets to the kingdom of heaven.” Jesus did miracles for the crowd. He allowed the disciples to do the miracles in his name.
There were many other characteristics that Thomas sighted about disciples and the crowd. However, I went away that night determined to be a disciple and make disciples. The status quo cannot be tolerated. No more excuses.
Breakout #1
The first workshop that I attended was on Giving in the context House Church. It was unexpected. Mostly because it was led by my wife Ali. I went to it to support her, but not really expecting anything new. My wife is the executive director of a non-profit called With This Ring. I thought I had heard it all about giving and generosity.
It was amazing when God showed up. After Ali showed a short video, told some stories and a little about generosity, she challenged all of us to take a moment and ask God what we could give. I was surprised when he put something on my heart that I didn’t expect. In fact, I had never thought of giving this particular thing before, but at that moment it was blindingly obviously.
After we prayed we went around the room and told about what God had impressed upon us. One woman gave her wedding ring. One man committed to give a tax refund check that he had at home. In fact everyone in the room made a commitment to be generous and to give something significant.
Breakout #2
The second workshop that I attended was on Pastors in Transition. Jim Mellon and Wade Adams led it. There were seven of us in attendance, all men. We started by going around the room, introducing ourselves and telling our stories. The conversation quickly landed on financial support.
Some of the men had “tentmaking” jobs. They were involved in simple church or some other ministry but were not being supported by that ministry. A few others in the room, including myself, were doing ministry and being supported either from that ministry or from other support.
It was a lively discussion. No one was very critical of anyone else. Even though there were a few opinions thrown out, I think everyone saw value in both ways of making a living.
It is interesting that the “money discussion” seems to be everywhere. It is an interesting dilemma in the house church movement. We need to be careful that it is not a tool of division.
The bottom line.
I really enjoyed the conference. Overall I think I had more fun this year than I have had in the last previous years. I think that part of it is that I so look forward to seeing my friends and making new ones. It is always an adventure hearing and seeing what God is doing with Kingdom minded people.
