Simple Church Ministries of Lancaster

And all that believed were together, and had all things common; (Acts 2:44).  

And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,  (Acts 2:46).

The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? (1 Cor. 10:16)

If you were raised in a traditional church setting you have become accustomed to participating in the special but sacred service called the Holy Communion.   This special service, also known as the Eucharist or the Lord’s Supper is traditionally administered by the clergy and is usually a solemn, reflective, and introspective time of prayer, confession, and re-dedication of the believer to Christ.

However, in contrast to most churches of today, churches of the 1^st century had an entirely different perspective and experience of what we call the Holy Communion.

The Common Meal

In the early church the Lord’s Supper was not reduced to a sacred ceremony consisting of a small cracker and a tiny glass of grape juice administered by professional clergy.   In contrast to modern practice the early church observed the Lord’s Supper regularly, breaking bread from house to house.  This consisted of a complete meal including bread and wine, symbols of the New Covenant (Acts 2:44, 46).  Read more…

I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. ²Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. ³Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. ⁴Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. ⁵I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.  ⁶If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. ⁷If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. ⁸Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples (St. Jn 15: 1-8). -KJV (emphasis mine)

Organic Relationship

One of the best known parables of Jesus is that of the Vine and the Branches. It is a metaphor that illustrates the spiritual, vital, and fruitful union shared between Christ and the church.

I particularly like this metaphor because it not only depicts the Headship of Christ; it also alludes to the inter-dependent and organic relationship of believers to each other.

   1) This organic relationship underscores the vital dependence of each believer upon Christ, who is the source of our spiritual life and fruitfulness (Jn. 15:4; Col. 3:4).  

   2) This parable further illustrates the inter-dependent nature of the Body of Christ (Eph. 4:16).

As the individual branches are one with the vine, so we are “members one of another,” are “members in particular,” and share the same spiritual life of the Vine (Rom. 12:5; 1 Cor. 12:27). Read more…

The exaltation of Jesus Christ and the mutual edification of the Body of Christ should be the purpose and focus of every House church gathering. 

When we come together, we are essentially practicing how to experience Jesus in our midst.  This experience, however, does not take place over night.

It takes time for a House church to discover how to be sensitive to the leadership of the Holy Spirit. The apostle Paul spent many years writing letters to the church instructing them in the things of God.

The church in Corinth in particular was one in which Paul gave instructions in how to experience and share Christ in a decent and orderly way so that everyone could be mutually edified, encouraged, and strengthened in the faith.

The early churches gathered regularly to worship and share the life of Christ with one another.  For a little over 300 years, believers primarily gathered in homes all across the city to pray, sing, worship, and share the life of Christ together.

 Luke records four pillars of early church community:

    “And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship,   and in breaking of bread, and in prayers“ (Acts 2:42).

    “And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, “ (Acts 2:46). Read more…

Join us as we discover and experience what House church life is like when believers come together to share the life of Jesus organically within our local Simple church community!

 What is a house church? 

A House church is a local “faith community” of believers in Jesus Christ who enjoy an extended family relationship for the purposes of discovering, experiencing, and celebrating the life of Jesus within their midst.

 1)  A  House church is established through the nurturing and care of relationships that are based on a commitment to family, community, discipleship, and mutual support.

 2)  A  House church may meet in a home, business, restaurant, park, school, office, or other casual setting.  It is important to distinguish that:

 3)  A  House church is not where we meet, but how we meet.

 4)  A  House church meeting is usually an “open meeting.”  That is, in an organic House church setting, members are encouraged to each participate and have part in the gathering as the Lord Jesus through the Holy Spirit may lead.

However, this does not mean that there are no leaders present.  It simply means that even when leaders are present, Jesus will still lead or guide the meeting, as each member is sensitive to the realization that the “open meeting” is under the Headship of Christ, as members participate and function openly as they are lead by His Holy Spirit. Read more…