The House Church

By Lee Carter Maynard

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     Preacher (after Sunday evening meeting): "Glad to see you back with us John. Where have you been keeping yourself?"

     John: "We've been playing off a bit of late, but have been in services each week. There is a doctor and wife with two teen-age daughters and a couple of younger adopted boys, in our neighborhood, and they open their house for worship each Tuesday and Thursday evenings. I'd like for you to visit us next Tuesday."

     Preacher: "What do they call themselves? I mean, what name do they go by? What denomination are they affiliated with?"

     John: "I do not know. They never mention that. They simply meet for worship, testimony, study and prayer. A retired minister who lives next door brings a short message after the doctor teaches a chapter from the Bible. It is a rather wonderful experience and we enjoy it immensely."

     Preacher: "To what denomination does the retired minister belong?"

     John: "I cannot say. He has never mentioned denominations. He has a pleasing way of bringing out Bible truths that we enjoy and we never have asked about his peculiar beliefs. The Tuesday evening hour is spent in singing, with each giving a word of testimony, telling what they have done in the name of the Lord and of the good things they have seen in others. It is a wonderful thing to share our thoughts and deeds with one another in a humble fashion."

     Preacher: "What does he say about baptism?"

     John: "He has not said much about it, but he baptized a young lady last Tuesday evening in the doctor's swimming pool. It was a great service. We sang "Happy Day" and some of the neighbors came over and joined us. Some of them had never seen a baptismal service before."

     Preacher: "Do the women take part in these meetings?"

     John: "Oh yes, everyone takes part. They ask questions, sing, pray, commune and all share in the giving."

     Preacher: "What religious papers do these people read?"

     John: "I could not tell you if they take any. All of the reading matter I

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have seen so far is the Bible."

     Preacher: "I notice you mentioned offerings taken up in midweek. But the Bible commands that offerings be taken up on Sundays."

     John: "These folk try and keep a fund on hand to help any poor or needy who require assistance. They spend nothing on themselves, but they give very generously and they are always helping widows and orphans, and those who are sick and hospitalized. Their offerings are strictly voluntary and placed in a box on a table by the door. They deposit what they wish as they enter or leave."

     Preacher: "Do they know about the plea of the Restoration movement and do they partake of the Lord's Supper in the right way?"

     John: "I doubt that they know about the restoration movement, at least, they never mention movements. They really just talk about Jesus, study the Bible together and encourage each other in the faith. They share the Lord's Supper each Thursday evening. It is kind of simple but an uplifting service. They all meet around two long tables in the family room, but on Thursday evenings they have a kind of potluck dinner. After it is finished, the doctor reads a chapter from the Bible and the retired minister always makes a short talk about the Lord's Supper. Then he passes a broken loaf of the bread left from the meal, and each breaks off a piece for himself. Then a pitcher of the fruit of the vine is passed around the table and each pours a portion into the same cup he used at the meal. They all eat together, then all lift up their cups to the Lord and drink. They generally sing a couple more hymns and have a parting prayer. It is a service that one can never forget."

     Preacher: "Do they have instrumental music with their songs?"

     John: "Sometimes. One of the doctor's daughters plays the family piano. Doc mentioned that he gives his children music lessons to be used to glorify God. I am sure if anyone came who did not wish to sing it would be all right, but I suspect it would be difficult not to sing under the conditions."

     Preacher: "Well, do they have elders and deacons? Do they have a membership roster? Do they accept the unimmersed into their number?"

     John: "They have said nothing about elders or deacons, and I have seen no particular need they could supply. I don't think they have any kind of a membership roll. I think that unimmersed persons who are present can say anything they wish, but I know the pool is open to all who believe and repent and who ask for the glorious privilege of being immersed into Jesus."

     Preacher: "John, I think I should warn you, and advise you to stay away from such an unscriptural set up. These people are dangerous. They are subtle and cunning and compromisers of the gospel. You will be led astray from the simplicity that is in Christ and which we seek to keep up in our church program. You are a member of the true church, the Lord's church, and you need to come out from among the kind of people you have been with, and be separate."

     (Lee Carter Maynard lives at 523 Forty-first Avenue North, St. Petersburg, Florida 33703).