I have always been drawn to the "house church" of the NT. The idea you present, a church without a building, is attractive and resembles that idea.
However, there are practical concerns that make it less attractive. My brother belonged to such a church. Over some years they met in various places, until they finally bought a place of their own. Why? Well, he was in charge of sound setup. He and the other sound people, and the computer people, came to where "church" was meeting 1-1/2 hours before worship to set up and then test everything. Every Sunday. After worship they tore everything down and carted the equipment to store in a trailer. Stuff broke. Too much wear and tear. After time, the people on the setup team "burnt out" and quit.
This is one anecdote of personal experience. I guess if one has a large enough church to rotate people, burnout might not be a problem. But a church that large has it's own problems. Another possibility is to have simple worship without these additions. But most churches (and guests?) seem to want technology.
Is this a case of a great idea that doesn't work well in practice?
Posted in: Organic Church
I have always been drawn to the "house church" of the NT. The idea you present, a church without a building, is attractive and resembles that idea.
However, there are practical concerns that make it less attractive. My brother belonged to such a church. Over some years they met in various places, until they finally bought a place of their own. Why? Well, he was in charge of sound setup. He and the other sound people, and the computer people, came to where "church" was meeting 1-1/2 hours before worship to set up and then test everything. Every Sunday. After worship they tore everything down and carted the equipment to store in a trailer. Stuff broke. Too much wear and tear. After time, the people on the setup team "burnt out" and quit.
This is one anecdote of personal experience. I guess if one has a large enough church to rotate people, burnout might not be a problem. But a church that large has it's own problems. Another possibility is to have simple worship without these additions. But most churches (and guests?) seem to want technology.
Is this a case of a great idea that doesn't work well in practice?
Rev. Larry Lobdell Jr