Churches, particularly in the United States, have experienced tremendous change in the last few years. We have seen a move from traditionalism toward a more casual approach in both worship and dress. The church has also entered heavily into the electronic entertainment arena, where in some cases attending church feels more like your are attending a major Hollywood production.

Concerning leadership, the enemy has waged an all-out war on clergy and lay-leaders alike, and we have all watched as many have fallen victim to the vicious attacks which have caused them to compromise their calling. We have also seen the church fail to be restorers in most cases, deciding instead to kick it's wounded along with the enemy.

As a result, many people have run from the church bitter, hurt, and offended. Some of these people have decided to give up on church. There are also those who are searching for something more in their worship and service to God. Most of the churches they have attended have been dry, dull, and lifeless, so they assume that all churches are the same.

Then there are those who bounce from church to church looking for the perfect congregation that will meet all of their needs. These folks typically do not like to be held accountable in any way, and they usually have a problem with authority. (I'm not talking about the person who has been faithful in a congregation and then feels led by the Lord to go to another church.)

It seems more and more difficult to find people who want to attend church with any regularity. A growing number of people want to come when they feel like it, and their commitment to serving the Lord is in most cases, lacking. There has also been a wave of people who say their spiritual needs are being met virtually through the Internet in the form of chat rooms, etc. A lot of these folks have been hurt by the church and they prefer to not have to deal with people face-to-face, as in a traditional church setting.

Many people in the body of Christ have forgotten that we have been placed (hopefully by God and not by our friends and family) into a particular church to serve others, not simply to have our needs met (Hebrews 10:24, Philippians 2:3-5). Jesus went out and touched people even if they smelled bad, had Leprosy, or were offensive. God does want to bless us, but our job is to do what He tells us to do, and that usually involves serving and trying our best to help others spiritually, emotionally, and physically. We have indeed entered into the Laodicean Age, which is spoken of in Revelation 3. It is becoming more and more apparent that the Lord's return is near, and that the church is in a crucial time in history.

In light of the frustrations with traditional church, many are looking for alternatives for worship. Some are choosing to start house churches. House churches have been around since the beginning of Christianity. The early house churches were committed to being instructed by the Apostles, and along with meeting in their homes, they also met in the temple daily. They were not an entity by themselves, but they were under the covering of the local church. In addition, they voluntarily submitted themselves to the Apostles teaching, headship, and covering (for a better understanding of the New Testament church read Acts 2:41-47).

Next... The House Church Part 2