Post by 7schmicks on Jul 10, 2008 17:38:52 GMT -5
I'm sorry I'm so slow in responding, here.
My husband started having church in our house with our own family around 8-9 years ago. We had been members and regular attenders at several fairly conservative churches, but as we became more and more conservative -- convicted about the prayer veil, not wearing jewelry, modesty of clothing, etc -- the churches began to appear more and more liberal. We finally came to the conclusion that we needed to remove our children from the teachings and examples of those places where the pastors were remarrying divorced members in the church and pastor's wives were wearing toe rings and anklets. We were also told at the last church (the church were I grew up and was saved/baptized) that we were welcome to attend, but that if we were going to try to teach our beliefs (headcoverings/modesty, etc.) we could not be part of any ministry there. That was part of the deciding factor to get out. So, my husband began preaching in the home!
We had services fairly regularly each Lord's Day morning, although we on occasion would start late or visit somewhere else, especially if no one else was coming. It was very simple and traditional. We sang a few hymns -- usually whatever was requested by one of us or the children, and also usually sang the doxology. My husband would usually have something interesting for the children -- perhaps a few minutes of a Bible pictionary game, Bible knowledge quiz, story from one of the Miller Family books (Mennonite character building stories.) Then we would often say the Apostle's creed and have a sermon prepared by my husband. We also usually had a few minutes of prayer when we would kneel together in silent prayer. A couple of times, we broke into separate groups (men/boys and women/girls) and had prayer together in separate rooms.
After a time, we met a man who lived around here who was a Mennonite. He became one after he was saved after reading one of their tracts, but he wasn't going to church anywhere because of the distance to his church, his health and church problems there, so he began coming. Also, one of our neighbors, who began homeschooling, was convicted about headcovering and left their church following some problems there. They came for church with us for a couple of years while they were trying to figure out what to do. Then they found another home fellowship and left us, but I think they might be the only ones in their current home fellowship who cover.
As to offerings -- we agree with Brother Ben about the tithe, but I like consistency and ease, so I just designated a jar for offerings for "Offerings to the Lord" where I put a tenth of my household allowance and the children's offerings. We use it here and there as needs arise, whether in the family or whatever other things seem to be needed as a ministry to the Lord. For example, I sent some to my sister when she and her husband were really struggling with finances. I gave some to my husband's cousin Janet and Joe (some of you have seen the prayer request in another area) to help with gas and expenses during Joe's cancer treatments and for the children's Christian school education fund after Joe died. Last winter, I prepared some Operation Christmas Child boxes and used our offering money to pay the postage to have them sent. I can't even recall where is has gone over the years, but I usually make sure there is a need.
As far as the great commission, by husband has had many opportunities over the years to speak of the Lord while at work. Even today, his newest boss claims to be a Christian, but lives like the world and goes to a "whatever -- as long as you don't turn anyone off church." He has had several opportunities to discuss Scripture with her and hopefully the Lord will use it to convict her.
We did have communion together a number of times, and my husband and the Mennonite man even had several foot-washings, although my husband isn't sure if it is a necessary part of the Christian fellowship or not, yet.
My husband was going to baptize our Mennonite friend. A couple of years ago, he had approached my husband about being immersed, even though he had been sprinkled in the Mennonite Church where he went before. He had come to the conclusion that immersion was the Scriptural way, but he and my husband never got the baptism organized and scheduled. We had also hoped he could baptize our children, but none of them have grown spiritually enough to desire it.
We even advertised in a local Christian newspaper that my husband's friend put out, but we didn't any calls about it.
We only have home fellowship, now, when we are unable to go to a church nearby. Since we have moved in with my mother-in-law, we haven't been sure whether we should continue having church here in her home. I think she is probably a Christian and went regularly to church, but she doesn't have the same convictions and standards as we do, so it might be awkward.
Well, that was quite long, but I hope it answered some questions!
Sister Brenda
My husband started having church in our house with our own family around 8-9 years ago. We had been members and regular attenders at several fairly conservative churches, but as we became more and more conservative -- convicted about the prayer veil, not wearing jewelry, modesty of clothing, etc -- the churches began to appear more and more liberal. We finally came to the conclusion that we needed to remove our children from the teachings and examples of those places where the pastors were remarrying divorced members in the church and pastor's wives were wearing toe rings and anklets. We were also told at the last church (the church were I grew up and was saved/baptized) that we were welcome to attend, but that if we were going to try to teach our beliefs (headcoverings/modesty, etc.) we could not be part of any ministry there. That was part of the deciding factor to get out. So, my husband began preaching in the home!
We had services fairly regularly each Lord's Day morning, although we on occasion would start late or visit somewhere else, especially if no one else was coming. It was very simple and traditional. We sang a few hymns -- usually whatever was requested by one of us or the children, and also usually sang the doxology. My husband would usually have something interesting for the children -- perhaps a few minutes of a Bible pictionary game, Bible knowledge quiz, story from one of the Miller Family books (Mennonite character building stories.) Then we would often say the Apostle's creed and have a sermon prepared by my husband. We also usually had a few minutes of prayer when we would kneel together in silent prayer. A couple of times, we broke into separate groups (men/boys and women/girls) and had prayer together in separate rooms.
After a time, we met a man who lived around here who was a Mennonite. He became one after he was saved after reading one of their tracts, but he wasn't going to church anywhere because of the distance to his church, his health and church problems there, so he began coming. Also, one of our neighbors, who began homeschooling, was convicted about headcovering and left their church following some problems there. They came for church with us for a couple of years while they were trying to figure out what to do. Then they found another home fellowship and left us, but I think they might be the only ones in their current home fellowship who cover.
As to offerings -- we agree with Brother Ben about the tithe, but I like consistency and ease, so I just designated a jar for offerings for "Offerings to the Lord" where I put a tenth of my household allowance and the children's offerings. We use it here and there as needs arise, whether in the family or whatever other things seem to be needed as a ministry to the Lord. For example, I sent some to my sister when she and her husband were really struggling with finances. I gave some to my husband's cousin Janet and Joe (some of you have seen the prayer request in another area) to help with gas and expenses during Joe's cancer treatments and for the children's Christian school education fund after Joe died. Last winter, I prepared some Operation Christmas Child boxes and used our offering money to pay the postage to have them sent. I can't even recall where is has gone over the years, but I usually make sure there is a need.
As far as the great commission, by husband has had many opportunities over the years to speak of the Lord while at work. Even today, his newest boss claims to be a Christian, but lives like the world and goes to a "whatever -- as long as you don't turn anyone off church." He has had several opportunities to discuss Scripture with her and hopefully the Lord will use it to convict her.
We did have communion together a number of times, and my husband and the Mennonite man even had several foot-washings, although my husband isn't sure if it is a necessary part of the Christian fellowship or not, yet.
My husband was going to baptize our Mennonite friend. A couple of years ago, he had approached my husband about being immersed, even though he had been sprinkled in the Mennonite Church where he went before. He had come to the conclusion that immersion was the Scriptural way, but he and my husband never got the baptism organized and scheduled. We had also hoped he could baptize our children, but none of them have grown spiritually enough to desire it.
We even advertised in a local Christian newspaper that my husband's friend put out, but we didn't any calls about it.
We only have home fellowship, now, when we are unable to go to a church nearby. Since we have moved in with my mother-in-law, we haven't been sure whether we should continue having church here in her home. I think she is probably a Christian and went regularly to church, but she doesn't have the same convictions and standards as we do, so it might be awkward.
Well, that was quite long, but I hope it answered some questions!
Sister Brenda