1. Biblical Foundations of House Churches

The Bible does not specifically use the term "house church," but it clearly describes early Christian gatherings in homes as the primary mode of worship, fellowship, and teaching. Here are a few key Scriptures that support the concept of house churches:

Acts 2:46-47 (NIV)

"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."

• The early church started with large gatherings in the temple courts, but they also met in homes for fellowship and worship. This illustrates the importance of community and sharing life together in a more intimate, personal way. The early believers practiced this dual approach: public proclamation and private fellowship.

Romans 16:5 (NIV)

"Greet also the church that meets at their house."

• The apostle Paul references the church that meets in a specific home, indicating that many early Christians gathered in private homes. This was not just a temporary situation, but a model for Christian life and community.

1 Corinthians 16:19 (NIV)

"The churches in the province of Asia send you greetings. Aquila and Priscilla greet you warmly in the Lord, and so does the church that meets at their house."

• Aquila and Priscilla were early church leaders who hosted a house church. This scripture again reinforces the concept that early Christian congregations were established in private homes, and these gatherings were an integral part of church life.

Colossians 4:15 (NIV)

"Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house."

• Paul acknowledges Nympha and her house church, reinforcing that the practice of meeting in homes was widespread in the early church.

Philemon 1:2 (NIV)

"Also to Apphia our sister and Archippus our fellow soldier—and to the church that meets in your home."

• The letter to Philemon speaks of the church meeting in his home, a further example of how Christians used their personal spaces to gather regularly.

2. Why Did the Early Church Meet in Homes?

The early church faced persecution, and meeting in homes allowed believers to gather in safety, away from the attention of authorities. But there are other theological and practical reasons for this house church model:

• Intimacy and Community: The early Christians valued close, personal relationships. House churches allowed for deep fellowship and accountability. When people meet in homes, they can easily build stronger, more intimate relationships that are harder to foster in larger gatherings.

• Accessibility: Meeting in homes made church accessible to everyone. They did not require heavy financial investment, nor a full-time paid staff to run each gathering. It also allowed believers to meet regularly, in a way that was more flexible and convenient, and to show hospitality in a very practical way.

• Leadership Development: In a house church setting, leaders are often raised up within the community rather than imported from the outside. This aligns with the Biblical model of equipping people to serve and lead within the church (Ephesians 4:12). House churches may foster more organic, local leadership rather than relying on a centralized, hierarchical model.

• Mission and Evangelism: House churches often had a missional purpose. Believers would invite their non-Christian friends, family, or neighbors into their homes, creating a more welcoming and low-pressure environment for people to hear the gospel.

3. Scripture on the Church as a Body: The Importance of Community

In addition to the early church's example, the Bible teaches the importance of the church as a community. The church is not a building; it is the people of God coming together. House churches embody this well, as they are gatherings of believers in their homes, not in a physical “church” building.

1 Corinthians 12:27 (NIV)

"Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it."

• The church is a body made up of many parts, each contributing to the whole. In a house church, each person has a role to play, and everyone contributes to the life of the church, whether it's in song, teaching, praying, or encouraging others.

Ephesians 4:15-16 (NIV)

"Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work."

• This passage shows the ideal of a church that functions in mutual love and support. House churches, due to their smaller and more intimate nature, can facilitate this kind of growth and interdependence.

4. Conclusion: RiverPark Church and the Shift to House Churches

The move of RiverPark Church to the house church model is a strategic shift to emphasize a more relational, organic model of church life. By focusing on smaller, home-based gatherings, we are seeking to create more meaningful discipleship opportunities, a closer-knit community, and a simpler way of gathering that more closely matches the New Testament church.