Customer Reviews

House Church Networks: A Church for a New Generation

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Larry Kreider has done a great job of introducing us to a "new" type of church that is emerging. This is not a reactionary book full of bitterness or pride, unlike much of the house church material out there.

Sometimes when you read authors favoring house churches you almost detect a "this is the only way to do church" mentality. Kreider writes with balance and acknowledges the need for all types of churches ranging from the house church to larger congregational churches. It was a great read as he wove his own story into the principles he was sharing on house churches.

Traditions of learning by formal monologues are being supplemented by informal learning in small groups in those groups of Jesus-followers without a pasive pew-sitting tradition. This change will continue to accelerate, with an increase in accountability that is essential to effective discipleship. The "house church movement" is a worldwide culture that seeks God in personal encounters, and expresses Christian community in daily life. These developments are healthy, especially for those living outside the walls of traditional Christian culture. You will take away from this book basic definition of how and why small groups can influence the world in powerful ways, and gives tools to begin your own experiments in Christian living. God intends risk as a normal part of life, and through tools provided here, you can accept risk in the social expressions of following Jesus. I suggest that you read this book with a few friends who are passionate to follow Jesus, and talk through what God may want you to do as a result. Do not be satisfied with passive Christianity when you can so easily experience active learning and active community in faith.

Kreider maintains that a new church is neeeded for a new generation. The "contemporary church, especially in America, is sinking fast," he says. "I beleive the new wineskins of house church networks will be a way of giving new life to the church".

He believes that different faith organizations will appeal to different believers and that all types: traditional churches, mega-churches, house churches, para-church organizations will serve and reach different audiences and all can be used by God. Throughout the test, the reader will hear Kreider's heart longing for the simple church and the first century experience.

This book answers "why" to start a house church but does not address the "how".

In his book "House Church Networks" experienced Christian leader Larry Kreider introduces a model of church that many will find appealing today, namely, simple, organic, house church Christianity. The book has several strengths. First, the book is conciliatory in tone, since it does not bash other forms of church and tries to help traditional pastors and others understand the motivations and methods of this "new" (yet ancient biblical) approach. Second, the book is challenging, since it shows the way simple church movements grew among the early Methodist movement and how they are rapidly growing among the Baptists and in China today. In contrast, Kreider shows that the traditional cathedral-type church is losing ground in America. Third, the book is wise, since it provides cautions to those who have embarked on this new journey to be focused on mission and not to grow proud or divisive. My main concern about this book, however, is that it never takes a firm stand or conviction about what the most biblical and effective way of church is. In Kreider's attempt to be diplomatic, the reader feels like they are being offered "just another option for the consumer" for church based on their own personal preference, rather than on the author's conviction about any apostolic blueprint found in the New Testament. Overall, however, it is worth reading and prayerfully considering. Good work Mr. Kreider.

RAD ZDERO, author of LETTERS TO THE HOUSE CHURCH MOVEMENT and THE GLOBAL HOUSE CHURCH MOVEMENT

I was somewhat disappointed in that there are other books written by Larry Kreider where this same material has been covered. I was expecting "House Church Networks" to be new material, covering the nuts and bolts of creating and managing a network of house churches.

Kreider seems to have much experience. However he completely misses the reality that the emerging church in its missional, house church, network forms is actually a prophetic critique. All means are not justified by the end in the Kingdom of God.

The emerging church in its truest sense is NOT JUST ANOTHER CONSUMER option for the younger generation. Every generation has "changed the wall paper in the church buildings." This is a fundamental shift that is taking place which is moving away from the REDUCED GOSPEL, LIMITED UNDERSTANDING OF SALVATION AND THE KINGDOM OF GOD, and fundamentally reforming what it means to be the people of God, the church. The reformers said the church is always reforming. And that meant that some of the current structures (e.g. Catholic pennance structures) could actually be anti-Christ. Like Jesus said to those religious leaders who actually kept people from entering the door of the Kingdom of God!