Why the healing ministry and house church can't mix

Can they really mix? Some have tried to marry the healing ministry with house churches but it seems to me it won't really work. Well, that is, not unless there are some major changes in the theology and praxis of the healing ministry.

Modern healing ministries have come to be quite a structured system. Being part of the traditionally structured church, healing has had to involve corporate worship and a prayer ministry. These two conventions necessitate a clergy (the ministry or prayer team) and clergy-led events (the healing seminar). So, although some healing ministries do try to heal clergy-related issues and structure-related issues, much of the healing ministry still use the traditional structure and clergy to acheive its purposes.

In one denomination where freedom and healing are major focuses for ministry, corporate worship is still a major weekly requirement. Prayer ministry teams are used to "bring healing" to the rest of the congregation. The whole system still separates the haves and have-nots — the trained and untrained.

House churches, on the other hand, by theology and praxis, do not support hierarchies and cannot employ a division between priests and people — clergy and laity. There is only one priesthood which includes all Christians.

For healing and house churches to merge, the healing ministry must give up some of its major structures. A prayer ministry with trained prayer ministers must give way to the priesthood of ALL believers (not just a few). Corporate worship has to give way to 24/7 worship where the life of each Christian, rather than just his singing, is the offering of worship. Programmed healing must give way to healing relationships in the context of life, issues, and problems.

In house churches, we've discovered that one topic of discussion may take a season to learn and experience thru life. This topic may become interwoven with other topics and issues in life. It is not proper nor even convenient to just discuss one new topic every week like most congregations do every Sunday. Rather, the Holy Spirit teaches and confronts people for a season, and it's better for them to stay with their issues for weeks or even months until the Holy Spirit is finished with that particular lesson. In other words, moving from one life lesson or topic to another each week or each meeting is not needed nor even appropriate.

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Tags: healing, house church, christianity, life lessons

No worries

It's amazing how God assures us that our food, shelter, and clothing are taken care of. I don't have to worry about what my family will eat today or tomorrow. Right now we have a place to stay — our own home. We all have clothing. Although we may not always be able to buy the clothes we like, we will not go naked. These things are promised by our Provider.

At the same time, Jesus promised that He will build His own church and nothing and no one can destroy it! I don't even have to worry about planting His church or bringing in more disciples. No one can come to Christ unless he is called by the Father. It is the Spirit who brings conviction to a person's heart. I am just an instrument at the right time and the right place. His command to us is simply to disciple the ones He calls, baptize them, and teach them all His commandments.

I have determined that I will not build His church. I will let Christ build His own church. I will simply obey His command to disciple the ones He brings into my life. I will go and find the ones He is calling (when they are already ripe for the picking) and disciple them.

His Kingdom is like a seed that was planted. The farmer goes to sleep and the seed continues to grow by itself without the need for the farmer. The miracle of life and growth belongs to God. Again, the Kingdom is like yeast, just a little and it expands the dough. The Father is the Great Farmer.

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Tags: worry, anxious, provision, church, kingdom, house church, Christianity, discipleship