Sunday, March 28, 2004
Last Thursday we talked about prayer, different kinds such as in-your-closet, for others when you are not with them, giving away God's gifts, etc. We'll continue will prayer for healing in our next teaching time. The kids also did a great job this week behaving. For the older 3 kids (age 4) we have started a "two sticker club". If all 3 kids are good and obey all night, then they all get "two stickers". It worked. Amazing how little affirmation we humans need!
Sunday, March 21, 2004
Last Thursday we had visitors from Mad-City, Jonah and Ian. After the kids went upstairs for "kids time", the adults spent time worshipping in song. Robby helped out on the keyboards and Eric led with guitar. There's several new songs that Eric has taught us lately. One in particular is "I surrender". The chorus is especially beautiful: "and I surrender all, all that I am, and all that I'll ever be...." We then broke up into groups of men and women this time to pray for one another.
Saturday, March 13, 2004
We had a great discussion about tithing last housechurch. We are trying to figure out how to use our collective money for God's kingdom. John brought up a good point that the concept of tithing in Scripture has more to do with the first fruits of what you have: time, resources, skills, talents, money, home, etc. We went around the room and let everyone talk about where they would like to give our money (and resources). Although there was wide variety about the practical way to apply it, we were pretty much in agreement that we would like to give overseas, locally, and to needs in our own group.
These were our ideas.........
Overseas: missionaries, orphanage, housechurch in another country, sending some of our people on a trip
Locally: each of us taking $10-15 and asking for God to show us who to give to, outreach in neighborhood, food for those in need, giving to Free Bank or Health Dept, using our talents by visiting a nursing home, using our resources by helping someone with a practical need like a leaky roof, buying a wall advertisement with an encouraging message
In our housechurch: using a portion of our tithe for healing, helping to set free from the spirit of poverty, practical needs such as babysitting or house repair
These were our ideas.........
Overseas: missionaries, orphanage, housechurch in another country, sending some of our people on a trip
Locally: each of us taking $10-15 and asking for God to show us who to give to, outreach in neighborhood, food for those in need, giving to Free Bank or Health Dept, using our talents by visiting a nursing home, using our resources by helping someone with a practical need like a leaky roof, buying a wall advertisement with an encouraging message
In our housechurch: using a portion of our tithe for healing, helping to set free from the spirit of poverty, practical needs such as babysitting or house repair
Schedule for March 2004
Thursday, 3/4/04 - Pizza and The Passion of the Christ
Sunday, 3/7/04 - Gathering with the 1849 Tilden Ave housechurch at the Brock's house
from 11-2pm, bring potluck
Thursday, 3/11/04 - Teaching and Tithe Discussion
Veggie/Carb - Baldwin, Falstrom
Dessert - Barrow, Harris
Main Dish - Hicks, M&P, Cload
Thursday, 3/18/04 - Worship and Pray for one another
Dessert - Baldwin, Falstrom
Main Dish - Barrow, Harris
Veggie/Bread - Hicks, M&P, Cload
Thursday, 3/25/04 - Teaching and Identity Discussion
Main Dish - Baldwin, Falstrom
Veggie/Carb - Barrow, Harris
Dessert - Hicks, M&P, Cload
Thursday, 3/4/04 - Pizza and The Passion of the Christ
Sunday, 3/7/04 - Gathering with the 1849 Tilden Ave housechurch at the Brock's house
from 11-2pm, bring potluck
Thursday, 3/11/04 - Teaching and Tithe Discussion
Veggie/Carb - Baldwin, Falstrom
Dessert - Barrow, Harris
Main Dish - Hicks, M&P, Cload
Thursday, 3/18/04 - Worship and Pray for one another
Dessert - Baldwin, Falstrom
Main Dish - Barrow, Harris
Veggie/Bread - Hicks, M&P, Cload
Thursday, 3/25/04 - Teaching and Identity Discussion
Main Dish - Baldwin, Falstrom
Veggie/Carb - Barrow, Harris
Dessert - Hicks, M&P, Cload
This is a housechurch made up of individuals, families and friends. Right now we meet in John and Kendra Barrow's home at 1908 Mills in Norwood at 6pm on Thursday nights. Our housechurch started with three families, the Barrows, the Hicks and the Baldwins, in September 2003. We weren't sure exactly what God wanted for our group, but we knew that the children were an important part. This was confirmed by a dream and our general consensus of what the Lord wanted from this group.
We wanted the kids to be full members of the church but also recognize that they have different needs than we do as adults. Therefore, we started with an idea to start with a meal to reinforce that we are a spiritual family. We transitioned into a 2nd period of time (20-30 minutes long) geared just towards the children, to teach them songs, verses, and read stories from the Bible. Then we transitioned again into an adults only time (the kids go upstairs to get love and playtime from their babysitters, a couple related to one of the families).
We are still learning what it means to be a church together. Because we meet in a home, there is opportunity to be more intimate than in some more traditional models of church. We are also connected to a larger group of people, Vineyard Central, and an even larger network of other housechurches who are located all over Cincinnati and this region (including Columbus, Indianapolis, Lexington, Miami, etc). These friendships and connections have happened over time and mostly by "accident". We are not "anti" the traditional church, just "Pro" what we feel God is calling us to do at this time in our lives.
We wanted the kids to be full members of the church but also recognize that they have different needs than we do as adults. Therefore, we started with an idea to start with a meal to reinforce that we are a spiritual family. We transitioned into a 2nd period of time (20-30 minutes long) geared just towards the children, to teach them songs, verses, and read stories from the Bible. Then we transitioned again into an adults only time (the kids go upstairs to get love and playtime from their babysitters, a couple related to one of the families).
We are still learning what it means to be a church together. Because we meet in a home, there is opportunity to be more intimate than in some more traditional models of church. We are also connected to a larger group of people, Vineyard Central, and an even larger network of other housechurches who are located all over Cincinnati and this region (including Columbus, Indianapolis, Lexington, Miami, etc). These friendships and connections have happened over time and mostly by "accident". We are not "anti" the traditional church, just "Pro" what we feel God is calling us to do at this time in our lives.
