I hope you all are holding up in this time of quarantine! Have you ever had anyone tell you to “be still?” If you are a parent or know very young toddlers, you can relate to what happens when you tell them to be still. They are probably going to keep on moving. My wife’s grandpa used to tell us grandkids to “be still” often. This would usually happen when we would be talking too much, and he could not focus on his Judge Judy show. It was not so much that we were physically . . . Read More »
In the New Testament, we see that every believer is called to contribute to building up and edifying the church. Thus, it is vital for each gathering to have space for members to contribute without getting off-task. At our recent Bridge Network event, we came up with a few practical ways to implement healthy and effect housechurch facilitation during the gathering to foster a thriving 1 Corinthians church community: “What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done . . . Read More »
Here at the Bridge Network, we practice House Church. And House Church necessitates EVERYONE participate. Church is not a service that is observed, but a gathering where we give and minister to each other. I was recently convicted because I had been acting as a receiver during church—not a giver. During the week, I started to neglect praying for my brothers and sisters. I neglected to ask God how I could serve them and build them up. I started to keep my spiritual gifts to myself and not give them to Christ’s children. In this . . . Read More »
Join us for our annual Bridge Network Retreat! This is a great time to get out of the city and connect with other house churches in the Network. We will enjoy several times of worship, teaching, outdoor activities and group games! Here are the details: Date: April 15-17th (Friday night-Sunday afternoon) Location: YMCA Camp Greenkill, Huguenot, NY Cost: Contact your HC leaders from Retreat prices Remember, Retreat money is due by Sunday, March 20th!
“Where are the lights? The stage? Why aren’t we sitting in rows? How am I supposed to sing without the band? This is church!?!” Let me share a quick story about my experience of house church that I will cherish forever. Typically in our house church gatherings, we eat, talk, laugh, then devote some time to worship, the word, and prayer. In our meetings, the kids join us the whole time. Some groups do it differently, depending on the children’s age and other factors. But in our gatherings, the kiddos are involved from start to finish. . . . Read More »
Huddling in the narrow hallway of a NYC apartment, I stood on my tiptoes to see into the bathroom at the end of the hall. A group of people stood in front of me, all smiling and all straining to get a good view. Just beyond them, sitting in the tub, was Zhen*, a Chinese national that had just come to faith. Beside her on the floor, her Bible study leader, Carol*. Small tears slipped down Carol’s face as she spoke with Zhen right before she baptized her. After Zhen professed her faith and Carol . . . Read More »
How would you describe your church? Large? Small? Modern? Traditional? In the United States and all over the world, faithful, Bible-based churches are following God in different ways. From liturgical services to guitar-led worship gatherings, God is being glorified in these communities. One type of church is called “simple church,” or “house church.” The idea of simple church originates in the New Testament. Rather than primarily meeting in formal religious building, many believers met in homes. Paul sends greetings to many house churches, including Priscilla and Aquila’s gathering (Romans 16:5) and gatherings in Laodicea and . . . Read More »
The Bridge Church is excited for our upcoming retreat this April! Here are the details for Bridge Church folks: Dates: Friday April 17th-Sunday April 19th Location: Camp Greenkill in Huguenot, NY. You can check out the camp’s webpage here. Cost: Adult: $115 Age: 6-12: $60 Age: 3-6: $20 2 and Under: Free Details: Retreat payments are due to your House Church Leader by March 31st to reserve your spot. The cost includes: 5 meals (3 on Saturday and breakfast and lunch on Sunday) and bunk-style lodging. Make sure to eat dinner on Friday night before . . . Read More »