Direct Marketing
There are two basic modes in our Capitalistic society that goods are bough and sold. On the one hand, you have the “come hither” model, Wal-Mart, on the other, the “door to door” model, Tupper Ware parties. Both are extremely successful. Our Western church model is predominately, “Come hither.” But its not the only model that’s available. Jesus sent out the 12 disciples to spread the good news, 2 by 2. If a household accepted them they would stay and share the good news and a lot of wonderful things happened.
Mark 6:7-13 (NLT)
And he called his twelve disciples together and sent them out two by two, with authority to cast out evil spirits. He told them to take nothing with them except a walking stick-- no food, no traveler's bag, no money. He told them to wear sandals but not to take even an extra coat. "When you enter each village, be a guest in only one home," he said. "And if a village won't welcome you or listen to you, shake off its dust from your feet as you leave. It is a sign that you have abandoned that village to its fate." So the disciples went out, telling all they met to turn from their sins. And they cast out many demons and healed many sick people, anointing them with olive oil.
Later on, He did it again.
Luke 10:1-3 (NLT)
The Lord now chose seventy-two other disciples and sent them on ahead in pairs to all the towns and villages he planned to visit. These were his instructions to them: "The harvest is so great, but the workers are so few. Pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest, and ask him to send out more workers for his fields. Go now, and remember that I am sending you out as lambs among wolves.
The proponents of house church are the Direct marketing version of the Church at large. Instead of saying come to our building, they say, come to my house for dinner. It’s not that one is better than the other. But we might miss that plentiful harvest if we insist that they come to a building to hear the good news.
Mark 6:7-13 (NLT)
And he called his twelve disciples together and sent them out two by two, with authority to cast out evil spirits. He told them to take nothing with them except a walking stick-- no food, no traveler's bag, no money. He told them to wear sandals but not to take even an extra coat. "When you enter each village, be a guest in only one home," he said. "And if a village won't welcome you or listen to you, shake off its dust from your feet as you leave. It is a sign that you have abandoned that village to its fate." So the disciples went out, telling all they met to turn from their sins. And they cast out many demons and healed many sick people, anointing them with olive oil.
Later on, He did it again.
Luke 10:1-3 (NLT)
The Lord now chose seventy-two other disciples and sent them on ahead in pairs to all the towns and villages he planned to visit. These were his instructions to them: "The harvest is so great, but the workers are so few. Pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest, and ask him to send out more workers for his fields. Go now, and remember that I am sending you out as lambs among wolves.
The proponents of house church are the Direct marketing version of the Church at large. Instead of saying come to our building, they say, come to my house for dinner. It’s not that one is better than the other. But we might miss that plentiful harvest if we insist that they come to a building to hear the good news.
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