Philemon 1:2 says, “to the church that meets in your house.”

I haven’t always been excited about House Churches. What is the deal anyway with a church meeting in a house? Sounds weird. You see, I have been in church my whole life so I have more or less and for better and worse been engrained with the traditional view of church and church life.

Every Sunday we all file into church…we are met by a greeter (hopefully one that is smiling), handed a bulletin, we send the kids off to their own version of church, parents find a seat, shake hands and smile at a few people, someone opens the service, then there is worship (hoping it’s more about worship than the one leading), after a few minutes when the song list has been exhausted, someone comes up to give announcements, greet the people, take an offering, then turn it over to the Pastor (or on rare occasion someone he trusted to preach just this once), Pastor preaches a good message…he’s a good man…he loves the Lord. Then MAYBE an altar call and MAYBE prayer for the sick at the end, a closing prayer and then everyone files out shaking a couple more hands on the way.

I am NOT saying that there is necessarily anything wrong with this…seriously. I am NOT anti-traditional church…for sure. I love the church. Jesus desperately loves His Bride, the Church. But here is what I AM saying. Just because it’s the way we have “done” church for decades (if not centuries) does not mean that is how we are supposed to be the church today.

When I read the Word, I see and sense a different type of church with a different type of atmosphere with a different type of focus and agenda. I see a place teeming with life…nothing dull, rusty or boring here. A place where the gifts of the Spirit flow like rivers from the members of the body. I see a place and a people that love, deeply and sincerely from the heart. John 13:35 says, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” Unfortunately, this is sadly lacking among Believers…pure love.

I see a place of miracles. I see a place that does not condone sin but passionately loves the sinner. I see a place that loves worship where we sing, rejoice and dance until the glory comes. Until His beautiful presence is saturating the atmosphere of the house. I see a place that gives people room to make mistakes and still feel loved. I see a place that is eating together with joyful fellowship. I see a place that welcomes backsliders with open arms. I see a place where broken hearts are mended. Marriages are restored. Bodies are healed and demons have no place.

I see revival. I see hunger. I see desperation. I see a willingness in a people that will do whatever it takes for God to come in their midst. I see people with full-time jobs hurrying to get to the next gathering. I see young evangelists going out into the world and sharing what God has done for them and what He IS doing at the “church that meets in your house” I see this House Church growing, expanding, standing room only with people pouring out in the yard. Why? Because it’s different? Why? Because they are sick and tired of being sick and tired. They need a word from God. They need a miracle in their body. They need someone to love them and hug them. They need someone to believe in them. They need a place to be themselves. They need their broken marriage restored. They need His presence, His power and His glory. They need a new beginning. They need to start over. They have been burned out, overwhelmed, misunderstood and overlooked. They need love. They need a church.

I believe with all my heart that there is soon going to be a revival movement of House Churches that will sweep this nation (and the world for that matter) very soon. For all the reasons I mentioned already and many more. So many people in this movement will be moving in the gifts (I am talking about miracle after miracle after miracle) and so many will have the word of the Lord on their lips that they will not care who is leading or who in charge…they just want the Holy Ghost! This is not a place for insecure, prideful or “something to prove” ministers (more on this down the road). Those days are coming to an end. People want the authentic in you and in me.

And please do not think that it’s going to look like what you are used to. God is doing a new thing. You are part of it. It’s a new beginning for you, your family and the world around you!

Lead Pastor, Ryan Bruss