Yes, Your Home Can Be Church

I stood surveying my surroundings. Spilt water, food crumbs littering the floor, kids running around yelling, every inch of counter space used, toys everywhere, continuous laughter, and lots of smiling.

Jason and I were standing in the kitchen eating. We’d run out of space even with folding tables and chairs. The small group God blessed us with has kept growing. Amen! It struck me then, that God had answered one of our thoughts/prayers.

I nudged him and whispered, “Hey, Church!” After a moment of confusion, I saw the clarity in his eyes and we shared a smile.

Since moving to the Farmhouse, we’ve both felt it would somehow be used as a church. We didn’t know what it would look like, how it would be formed, when it would happen, who would lead it, etc. We just kept praying God would show us when the timing was right.

As I grabbed a towel to clean up another water spill moments later, I thanked God for revealing His plans for our big open spaces.

What does church look like to you?

Is it a building with a steeple? Some place with a big cross hanging in front? Does there have to be singing with a choir or band? Or a pastor teaching from the pulpit?

However you define church, can I challenge you? What if church looks like the inside of your home? No special music, no seminary pastor, no special pulpit or cross or steeple. Just people.

If we look at the disciples early church life, it involved meeting in people’s homes and partaking in meals and fellowship.

Act 2:42-47 shares this:

“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” NIV

Doesn’t that sound amazing!? Sharing life in the most basic and intimate of ways with fellow believers?!

Church can look like the iconic building we’ve come to know it as in the Western Culture, yes. But church can also look like small gatherings in ordinary spaces.

Abba Father, I pray for the ones searching for community and a space to get to know you better. I pray for the ones wondering if their own home could serve as a church. I pray for those struggling to overcome hurt from the Church. Please lead them to the special place and people you have waiting for them. Give them energy, faith, and patience. Thank you for giving us examples to follow. Amen.