It is not just a decision to meet in a private home or storefront'

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It is not just a decision to meet in a private
home or storefront.
Their agenda is hidden by their rational sounding
intent!
What is a House Church? This present generation
is starving for genuine spiritual experiences and
do not trust the traditional church model or
traditional religious expression. It is a
re-capturing of the values and truths held by the
Church of Jesus Christ in its first one hundred
years of existence, when every church met in a
home environment. A House Church is a group of
people who . . . love people through meeting
their felt needs. In a House Church nothing can
be described as typical, but what you will
generally find is passionate praise and worship,
interactive dialogue exploring the truths of
genuine Christian living, a fuller expression of
the Holy Spirit, powerful prayer, a hearty meal,
and warm fellowship.
-- Dale Foote, (Cool Springs Community Church,
Kuna, Idaho)
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It is a rejection to any organized structure and
worship of the church.
Attended Florida College Received both his
bachelor's degree and his Doctor of Jurisprudence
degree in Oregon. Was a professor of law at
Pepperdine for 26 years before joining the
faculty at Lipscomb University as "a
scholar-in-residence for Christian Studies."
Author of numerous books including Who Is My
Brother? (a justification for a broader
fellowship to include those advocating doctrinal
error and engaging in unscriptural practices).
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"Before real progress can be made, we will have
to undergo a pivotal paradigm shift in the way we
perceive even the notion of 'church' itself. Our
concept of the church typically tends to suggest
organization, complete with hierarchy and dogma.
By contrast, the early church (while by no means
disorganized) was far closer to being an organism
-- less dependent upon formal structure and more
spontaneous in action" (37).
"Why are young people so excited when they return
home from a weekend retreat? I suggest it's
because they have experienced something very
similar to 'radical restoration . . . look what
is happening dynamically at those retreats. There
is spontaneity, informality, intimacy, and mutual
participation of a type which our young people
rarely witness in our more structured assemblies
And, of course, there's all that table fellowship
which breaks down so many barriers" (235-6).
"Then there is our ritualized, sacramental-like
'communion,' which is a direct descendant of
Catholicism's highly formal Eucharist" (61). "We
have our Catholic and Protestant heritage to
thank for the highly-structured worship format
which we typically follow" (61). "Some, I'm
sure, will have been greatly offended at the mere
suggestion that the 'Churches of Christ' as we
know them are denominational in name and
practice, and thereby fundamentally flawed"
(268).
Excerpts
Make Church like Camp
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Features the Following
Smaller groups which are essential for true
worship and fellowship. House churches are the
exclusive pattern of the New Testament.
Eliminate church of Christ as the identity of
their gatherings. Make the Lord's Supper part of
fellowship meals. Churches must be
relational or socially based, rather than
doctrinal.
Casual atmosphere in dress and action. Worship
services must be mutually participatory for all
present and reject preaching or declarative
teaching. Reject any office or authority
(elders) where men have leadership roles to which
other members are to submit. Eliminate a weekly
contribution and an ongoing treasury in favor of
giving only on special occasions for a particular
need.
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Tampa, FL
Houston, TX
Nashville, TN
Bowling Green, KY
Florence, KY
Division
Local Church Unity
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• Three families came and gravitated to each
  othervery friendly appeared to be very
  spiritually minded.
• Begin to ask What do you think about the elders
  and the preacher?
• Begin to attack every aspect of worship
• Giving is not an act of worship,
• Assemblies not spiritual enough,
• Need to make changes, such as all giving
  testimonies before observing the Lords Supper,
• Too stiff, need to become more casual.
• Set out to dissolve the eldership and get rid of
  the preacher.
• Began to disseminate LaGard Smiths Radical
  Restoration.
• Began to make calls and write letters attacking
  the elders and the church.

Northern Kentucky church of Christ
Illustrative of what can happen.
40 People left church divided!
Prov 616-19 . . . the LORD hates . . . one who
sows discord among brethren.
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• The name church of Christ is prejudicial, leave
  it off signs and advertisements.
• Not spiritual enough and too traditional.
• The church needs to be more relational and less
  doctrinal.
• Declarative preaching / teaching should be
  rejected in favor of mutual participatory
  involvement.
• Envision a church without walls.
• Stone-Campbell tradition.
• Needs driven contribution.
• Use of prejudicial phrases.

Radical Restorationists
Red Flag Statements
Pinch and Sip Stale Worship Structured
Ritual Official Clergy Sacrosanct Tradition
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House Church/Radical Restorationist
Life Support
For those unfamiliar with the term in the title
of this article, CENI merely refers to a specific
hermeneutical theory, largely embraced by those
who have a tendency toward legalism and
patternism, the major tenets of which are
Command, Example, Necessary Inference.
Christians in all denominations All Christians
are erring brethren I dont use (alcohol,
instruments) but I cannot condemn those who
do Who is to say we are right?
No understanding of biblical authority
Toleration of Unscriptural Ideas
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