making appointments – Kanisa la Christadelphian huko Anderlecht

In “How to Start a House Church?” we have investigated how we can best proceed to start a house church.

We must realize that to honour God we do not need to have a specific building, but we can freely gather in private homes or even in public places to bring glory to God.

Organising a house church can be a fulfilling and rewarding experience.

If we want to start a house church, we must first find like-minded people who want to take that step. If we have started looking for a group of like-minded individuals who are interested in starting a house church, we can arrange with those friends, family members, acquaintances, coworkers, or neighbours to meet at someone’s home at regular intervals. That doesn’t even have to be every week. There is also no obligation at all to hold those meetings on a Sunday. Any day of the week is just as good.

It is important when starting up the house church or ecclesia that clear boundaries are defined of what the beliefs are and where they want to go. What is acceptable in the community and what is not considered appropriate, such as the worship of multiple gods or so-called saints.

It is also wise to determine what purpose and vision one wants to consider for the house church.

What are your goals, values and beliefs?

What kind of community do you want to create?

To properly manage the organisation of the house church, it is recommended that you choose a leader or leadership team to help guide the group. This person or team will be responsible for planning and leading meetings, organising events, and ensuring that the house church runs smoothly.

Once one has planned to establish a house church, it is important to determine the format and structure of the meetings.

Do you have a worship service, a Bible study, a prayer meeting or a combination of these?

How often do you meet, and where? Do you have a snack or a meal together?

In order for house church meetings to run smoothly, it is advisable to draw up a schedule for meetings and events. For example, it may be advisable to determine in advance a fixed day and time to meet, as well as to indicate any special meetings or activities you want to plan. For example, a good arrangement could be to meet on the first and third Saturday of the month, so that everyone knows clearly when they can drop by or invite friends to come to those meetings as well.

It is also best to develop a system for communication and coordination. This may include setting up a group chat or email list, creating a social media page, or using a platform like Google Calendar to share updates and information. For example, we have provided the ecclesia website and a WhatsApp group for the ecclesia in Anderlecht, and further reporting can be done via e-mail.

Once the house church has been formed and is starting to take shape, it can also be interesting to consider inviting guest speakers or musicians to enhance the meetings. This can help create a new perspective and a sense of excitement and diversity within the group.

In the religious community, an effort must be made to form a lively family spirit. By the way, one is a « brother » or « sister » in Christ to one another. Everyone in the group must be encouraged to contribute to the group.

Encourage active participation from all members. This may include sharing personal testimonies, leading prayers, facilitating discussions, or organizing service projects in the community.

Create a sense of community and responsibility within the group. Encourage members to support and care for each other, ask for help when needed, and hold each other accountable in their faith journey.

Stay open to feedback and suggestions from members. As your house church grows and evolves, be willing to adapt and change to better meet the needs of your community.

Overall, the key to organising a successful house church is creating a welcoming and inclusive environment in which members can grow in their faith, build meaningful relationships, and serve others in love.

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