I think there is merit to both “traditional” churches and house churches, and I think there are some very wonderful “traditional” churches as well as some good house churches, and the opposite is true as well. I do see that there are many qualities about a house church that can be compelling: a “safe” place to invite those that have questions about the Christian faith but won’t step into a church, a place where people can hear and grow more readily because they are actively sharing in the responsibilities and can have a conversation instead of a monologue found in most traditional churches, and one where there is a expectation of transparency and engagement on a deeper level.

Yet, I have many reservations and questions about house churches as well, which I won’t go into right now, but they are numerous. To a degree, I find it “safer” and easier to trust the structure of a traditional church, with a learned pastor I respect and an elder board, and even a certain amount of programs in place. (does that sound too consumer-driven?)

In closing, I see the merits of both types of church. There is one thing, though, that you mentioned in your comments that bothers me a bit, and I’m very sensitive to this in the “missional” books I’ve read, but many times there seems to be an impatience to “complacent” church folks, a view of “only serious Christians need apply.” The passion is for the unchurched, and I see how this can be good, of course, but I wonder about the Complacents. Are the “lukewarm” actually Christian? Do they share the same “worth” and “investment” in time as the unchurched? You mentioned those that are “intentional” in going to church instead of out of habit, but in a way, I feel for those that go to church out of habit… and I wonder if they are worse off in some ways than the Unchurched. For do they really know that they too might be lost and that there is more?

Interesting you bring up the “Sunday morning” tradition thang. I’m leading part time right now at a church in San Jose while things get rolling here in Santa Cruz. We’re having to move to Saturday nights at another church specifically because of finances. It’s definitely been a struggle to think about from those who are used to Sunday morning, but as one person pointed out, it might be good that people actually have to be intentional about why they’re coming now instead of just going out of habit.

Of course, both these options open up other issues (some of which were probably the reason folks originally went to our current model), but it’s definitely something awesome to entertain the idea of. Great post! And it was great to see you up at Hume. We’ll have to catch up sometime!