Leading A Great Home Church Meeting
A home church can be a place of amazing fellowship and encouragement. Creating that vibrant community doesn’t happen by accident, and there are some key rhythms and practices that will help you, as the host or leader, to facilitate that kind of environment. Whether you’re a seasoned leader or brand new to your small group experience, these tips can help to create space for God to work. Here are three main components of a great home church meeting.
Time of connection
It’s important to start the gathering with an opportunity for people to feel a sense of belonging and connection.
As relationships are strengthened through this connection time, it encourages people to be vulnerable. Brene Brown writes “Vulnerability is the birthplace of love, belonging, joy, courage, empathy, and creativity. It is the source of hope, empathy, accountability, and authenticity. If we want greater clarity in our purpose or deeper and more meaningful spiritual lives, vulnerability is the path.” (Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead)
This time of connection could be over a meal, it could be structured or very informal, it can be the same every week or different each time, and there are many good ways to make it happen. Here are some ideas:
Begin with a check in question - as simple as “How has this week been for you?” or “Name something good, and something bad that happened in the last week”.
Share a meal together. Make a pot of soup, pick up a pizza, or ask everyone to bring a sandwich along. The food doesn’t matter as much as just spending time face to face.
Have one person share a bit about their life each week - about their background, how they came to know Jesus, and how they see him at work in their story. Give people some advance notice so they can prepare, and go first as the leader to model this kind of vulnerability.
Time of learning
The way that your home church learns and grows together might change season to season. You may do a Bible study one year, a book study another year, and discuss weekly sermons the next year.
It’s important to pick a type of learning that is accessible and appropriate for the group. Take into consideration the needs and interests of group members, their spiritual background and maturity, and what is feasible given their other commitments. Some groups do well with “homework”, others don’t. Check out other resources in this resource bank to get some ideas for Bible study material and book studies that may work for your group.
Time of prayer
Having a community of people who regularly pray with and for you is an incredible blessing. Don’t miss the opportunity to make this part of your home church rhythm.
The simplest way to start doing this…is to start! There are lots of formats that can work. For some examples, see the resource bank guide on prayer in your small group.
Follow Up
During the week, try to check in with your group members, especially if they’ve shared something that they’re anxious about or looking forward to. Consider having a WhatsApp group or a text thread for the group to chat throughout the week (and be prepared to redirect if the conversation gets out of hand or distracting).
Special Events
One or twice per season, try to do something special as a group. Go see a community show, have a movie night, go for a hike, help someone move, volunteer at a refugee home, go see a local attraction, have a board game night.