Be ready to be blown away. James Rutz puts forward a very compelling argument for the House Church Movement or Open Fellowships in place of traditional Pastor led/silent laymen models that are popular in America. Although poorly organized with many quick transitions- occasionally leaving me lost- the excitement of the author glares across each page. The author states, “This is the end of spectator Christianity- and pew potatoes.” He contends...”Both Laymen and pastors are starting to figure out what was wrong in that routine: it was like having the hockey team listen to the coaches pep-talk for an hour, and calling that ‘the game’.” Well said! What are we really accomplishing for the kingdom of God in this model? Filled with a plethora of real life examples of healings, miracles, and testimonies in which he covers how laymen have taken the gospel to the furthest reaches of the world with astounding results. I particularly was fascinated by the descriptions of the church in China and how quickly their house church movement has ballooned. It was very sobering to me to hear their thoughts on the American Church model when visiting here. The Indian model of house church development was very powerful. A quick summary of how they accomplish this is: 1. Spiritual Mapping 2. Prayer Walking 3. Binding the Strongman 4. Finding a “Man of Peace” in the village 5. Ministering to the “Man of Peace” and his family 6. Discipling them 7. Baptizing them 8. Working through them exclusively in the community to build up the house church. When utilized in this format, they are shown what spiritual strongholds to pray against and bind prior to forming house churches in the community. This is the secret weapon they wield and precisely how they accomplish such drastic and quick growth. The ending of this book was a description of an American Open Fellowship, where there is a church meeting at a building comprised of several house church members- with an open mic where anyone can prophesy, exhort, and give their testimony. It was a beautiful and heartfelt way to end his argument for house churches. For all those who are fed up with the current church model and it’s ineffectiveness and corruption, this book will open your eyes to a new and living way. Acts 2 church!
December, 2007 was actually my 2nd read of this fabulous book. The first time was summer of 2006. This book is so packed with miraculous happenings around the world, that it boggles the mind and it blew mine!! It is also an extremely revolutionary book which has belped to change my whole mind set on how I view church and what "church" should look like. I recommend this book to all church-going believers and all those who are disillousioned with the church - a MUST read!!! I had to read it twice to get it all absorbed.
A very humorous approach to encouraging people to not be "pew potatoes" and be a part of the author's passion ... the house church movement. Even if you attend a large church, but are interested in small groups, you'll want to check this out. He has done a LOT of research as to what's going on in the earth today - informative and funny.
Oh! I loved this book! Had me gasping in awe at what the 'church' could do if not restrained by choking legalism. I loved the stories of miracles and healings around the world but found it troublesome that there were no articles or books or writings to back them up.