Small Congregations

[Gregory Matthews]

The majority of the articles in the Winter 2017 edition of Adventist Today are devoted taking a look at SDA congregations as they exist today.  While it may surprise many, there seems to be a focus in these articles that:

*  Today we have departed from the NT model which consisted of small congregations in homes.

*  The denomination today seemingly is neglecting the small SDA congregations and not providing them with the support that they need.

Without attributing the comments to the specific article, and generally stating them in my words, to some extent, comments in the various articles  included:

* The house church may prove to be as important in advancing the Adventist movement as it has been in China. 

*  In the New Testament, relationships were more important than doctrines.

*  In the past month, according to Barna Research, in the U.S. some 23,000,000 adults have attended a house church in the past month.

*  Sola Scriptura says nothing about building synagogues and churches.

*  In the NT Sabbath services were generally conducted by unpaid lay people.

*  Judge Hart was correct when he ruled:  "Next to the Roman Catholic church, the Adventist church is the most centralized of all the major Christian denominations in this country."   Derrick Proctor vs the General Conference.  October 29, 1986.

*  In one European Union, 25% of the congregations are evaluated to be healthy,  25% lack the leadership needed to effectively conduct their mission and 50% are in danger of being closed.

*  The old ways no longer reach people.

*  The old model will not work.  We can not afford to purchase the needed property and we cam not hire enough pastors.

*  Home churches are here to stay.