Customer Reviews

Houses that Change the World

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I don't often recommend books so highly, but I read this through once and then immediately turned back to the beginning and read it again. And again. I kept waiting to find the fly in the ointment (a few typos was the best I could manage), but this is simply one of the best books written on the subject of the house church. Thankfully, the author repeatedly states, "I'm not here to provide a model for the house church. That's not the point of this book. I simply want to present the theology and value of the house church as a model for true community."

My own admitted bias is strongly against "church as usual," so Simpson's book is of particular significance for me. He goes through some lengths to not judge the church structure, per se, but is firm in his evaluation of where such a structure has led us (and indeed the world) since the 3rd Century.

Ministers and church leaders who are dyed-in-the-wool conservative in their respective dogmas and doctrines will condemn this work outright as a threat to the very church. They will be profoundly wrong in doing so. Simpson presents what many believe is the salvation and survival of the church.

Perhaps this book resonates so strongly with me because I had just finished reading John Eldridge's "Waking the Dead." His chapter on his small group made me weep. That's what I'm looking for. That sense of vulnerability in a safe place, honest encouragement and support, and a place where my own gifts can be recognized, nurtured and called out. Simpson merely reaffirmed that desire in greater dimension and detail.

If you are satisfied with church as usual and simply going through the motions of what looks like Christianity, if you value form over substance, if you value the image of community more than community itself, stay away from this book. Just go to church on Sunday and clutch your coffee and doughnut, do the grip-and-grin and convince yourself everything's just fine. But if you long for something more, something real, something lasting, read this book. Then go do what it says you can do.

Wolfgang Simson is to be commended for his excellent work on house churches in his book HOUSES THAT CHANGE THE WORLD. The book deals with nearly every facet of house churches. His chapters include:
-The Reinvention of the Church
-House Churches in History
-The Nature of House Churches
-The Fivefold Ministry
-House Church or Cell Church?
-Developing a Persecution-Proof Structure
-No Progress Without Change
-All Change is Practical

And much more! The book is a complete resource for those looking for information on house churches without the radical feel or condemnation usually aimed at traditional churches from house church leaders. Simson writes with grace, clear exegesis of Scripture, and a heart to touch the nations with the gospel.

Wolfgang Simson presents a vision for planting house churches. 'House church' is the terminology used to describe a return to a more primitive, New Testament type of gathering. These house churches generally have meetings in which believers in the congregation use their gifts to edify one another per I Cor. 14:26 and Hebrews 10:24-25. Many in this movement desire to have strong relationships with one another, rather than a superficial handshake once a week at church meetings.

Wolfgang Simson gives readers a vision of how house churches can be planted, and how these home meetings are a good tool for evangelism. The book describes practical ways in which believers can build one another up in the Lord. His explanation of house churches in church history was very interesting. The book was an exciting read for me.

I got the impression that Wolfgang Simson's view of church government was a bit more like a cell church system put into house church packaging. For example, he presented the idea that a 'pastor' is responsible for many house churches--with the house churches having elders. Many house church advocates see the elevation the role of the one-man pastorate as not scriptural. Wolfgang's view of an apostle as someone who gives others a vision, etc. seems a bit atypical when compared to the views of many house church people in the US. Some see Acts 13 as a model for apostles--with apostles being sent out on evangelistic missions to plant churches. The views presented of five-fold ministries seem similar to institutional cell church views of these roles in the Charismatic movement. The book 'felt' a little like something coming from the Third Wave of Charismatic movement to me.

Another concern of mine is the brief re-hashing of the teaching that 'Nicolaitan' refers to clergy, which shows up in a quote from Watchman Nee. This idea is often repeated in house church circles in the US, but, imo, doesn't fit well with the text in Revelation.

I think Wolfgang's book can serve as a paradigm-shifting book which is especially suited for Charismatics who emphasize the role of five-fold ministry.

Overall, I really enjoyed the book. It's a good read for those who are interested in such things. I think this book is especially good for Christians who are planning on doing traditional church planting or missions, or a church leader or 'lay person' who wonders why they are unfufilled in a traditional church setting.

I have several shelves of books on the subject of church and I would rate Wolfgang's book as the best. He combines solid biblical foundations, worldwide research, and practical application to paint a picture of the kind of church that many in the U.S. are hungering for.

I've given out dozens of copies to people who are feeling that there should be something more to church without knowing what it is. I've also used the book to train leaders for house church planting (we've actually planted four so far in Denver).

This is the most enlightening look at how we are to view church that I've read. For those of you who are sincere Christians but who have questioned the mode in which we typically worship on Sunday mornings these days, this book may help you understand why. Many of the questions and misgivings that I thought that only I was having in recent years about the way that we operate in the local church were mirrored in Wolfgang's book, offering hope that we can get back to a simpler, more meaningful mode of Christian living. As many churches have grown in size, the tendency of church leadership in recent years has been to implement organizational rules and structures made popular in the military or corporate arena, thus establishing better "control" over its members, but unfortunately stifling the work of the Spirit and the personal relationships that are intended to exist between believers in the local church. Wolfgang correctly identifies the root causes of these tendencies to make the church of today operate like a profit-driven business, and suggests not a quick fix that leaves the source of these problems in place, but rather a complete change in the way that we view the weekly gathering of Christians known as church.

Was very impressed with this book that both takes us back in time to the early church and forward to where the Holy Spirit seems to be leading the church in the 21st century. For many, this book will be a breath of fresh air that will strike a chord in many hearts. It's a cry to move back toward a Christian faith that centers on Christ and His followers and not programs and charismatic leaders. Well-written, insightful and provocative.

First of all I need to say that I really do like Wolfgang (and not just because Wolfgang is such a cool name). ;) I like how this guy thinks about a lot of things and there really is some very good insights in this book.

Where I feel he misses the mark a bit is making "house church" THE focus. There is nothing in Scripture or even early Christian history known as "house churching." There is no mention of anyone "starting a house church" or any concept of a "church" being represented by a building of any kind. The early Church simply happened to meet wherever convenient. Sometimes it was in their homes (most frequently in fact), sometimes by riversides, sometimes in the catacombs (when persecution hit), sometimes in Solomon's Porch, etc. The "Church" (New Testament Greek: ecclesia) simply means "assembly" and refers to PEOPLE not buildings or programs. Wolfgang acknowledges this truth, but still makes a bit too much of the house detail in my opinion.

The logic of "house church" is really much the same logic as "institutional church" because both incorrectly define church in connection with a physical place (and place it in a separate category from every day life itself), rather than the simple revelation that the Church is the body of Christ (as Ephesians so plainly says), regardless of where or when meetings may (or may not) occur. In my opinion, to make "house churching" the focus is to actually MISS the focus. Christ (who is the Head of His body - the Church) should be our one united focus - not "doing church" (for you can't "do" what you already "are" in Christ. Anytime we try to compartmentalize and/or define our faith in Jesus and our walk with each other along the path into specialized meetings or meeting places, we cause a division between faith and true fellowship. Please understand, I am not at all suggesting that meetings are wrong and certainly, if we are going to meet at all, it will most often be some "place", but I am talking primarily about defining our faith according to these things. I will admit that the house church model is a much better step in the right direction than institutional churchianity, precisely because it does bring faith much closer to a family paradigm... just not close enough for my taste. ;) Ain't I the picky one? Most of the house churches I have been acquainted with struggle with a lot of the same mindsets and religious tendencies as institutional churches, only on a smaller scale. You still have power struggles, religious organization, and often unbiblical expectations of "qualified" fellowship placed on the group. Granted we all err and some will disagree with my conviction here and so I say thank You Lord for grace and let each one live true to their measure of knowledge, conviction and conscience.

If you can avoid letting this detail distract you, there will be much good to glean from Simpson's work. I sincerely mean no disrespect to my brother in Jesus and I love much of the encouragement found in his 15 theses for church reformation, I simply contend that since the Church is Christ's body it does not need "re-forming" at all and certainly not by another attempt of man (however noble and well-intentioned). I believe strongly that Jesus Christ is building His Church (and His Church is not defective) and if our endeavors (the things we like to title church) don't align with His definition, than we need not re-form anything but rather repent of our dead works, come away from them, and follow only Him. There's nothing to start, nothing to build, nothing to preoccupy with - but simply ONE PERSON to align ourselves with and let the rest of the pieces fall into place.

I think Wolfgang would agree in a large sense with my general conclusion about the biblical nature of the Church and may even believe that this is the primary objective of his writing. I hope so. In any case, good book, encouraging read, and a sincere brother in Christ with some quality insights to share.

One of the most significant books I have ever read, which is why I have purchased a second copy after giving my first away. It opens up the evolution of the Christian Church over the centuries and looks at the currently developing nature of the church which has the distinct characteristics and DNA of the first century AD. It draws the distinction between an institution called The Church and the organism which is the Church which, by its very nature is like a positive virus in society rather than an organisation which draws people into it

This is an excellent book that paints a picture of the way church can be. It encourages one to explore the possibility of unchurching the church.

The book begins with Simson's 15 theses and goes on with a theological and historical look at house churches.

I believe that this book will be one of the most important works in what Simson calls the third reformation.

This must read book will excite and inspire you!

As director of church planting for a large metropolitan association of Baptist churches, I have long recognized that traditional, institutional, or program-based churches cannot reach America's cities by themselves. New Testament house churches must be part of the "church mix."

Simson's book is exceptionally well-written, theologically coherent and compelling; it is a clear prophetic call to go beyond Luther's Soteriological Reformation by returning to a pure New Testament ecclesiology.

Whether you buy into his conclusions or not, his arguments will challenge your thinking about the Church to its very foundations. A must read for every church planter, pastor, denominational strategist or theologian.