How to Start a House Church
- 1). Pray. According to SmallGroups.com, prayer is "the first step to starting a house church." It's not enough to start a house church simply because it seems to be a good idea; it must also be God's idea. Praying gives you a chance to determine if starting a house church is the right thing to do and something to which you're ready to devote time and effort.
- 2). Figure out your target worshiper. To keep a house church at a manageable size keep a particular type of member in mind. For example, target worshipers could be business owners, new believers or young adults. Instead of trying to be popular, a house church must focus on developing a strong, committed group of people who support one another.
- 3). Plan a place to worship. The best home is one that easily accommodates up to 12 worshipers, according to SmallGroups.com. Some house groups always meet at the same home while others rotate among members' homes.
- 4). Figure out how your house church will worship. Determine if one individual will always lead the service or if members will take turns leading. Also, figure out the layout of the services: time for music, fellowship, the Bible lesson and study, and so on.
- 5). Schedule meeting times. Gene Edwards, author of "How to Start a House Church from Scratch," recommends house church groups gather at least once a week.