What does a house church actually "do" when it meets?
Some have answered this question by going back to the program of the traditional/
institutional church. There is an "Order of Service". Greeting...opening prayer...time of
singing...perhaps some personal sharing...the sermon...closing prayer...etc. Isn't that
what you are supposed to "do" when you have church? Week after week. Always the
same program. With this model, house church simply becomes a mini version of what
goes on in church buildings on Sunday mornings all over the country.
In contrast to the "program model" of church, I want to suggest the "prevenience
model". The word "prevenience" (rhymes with "convenience") refers to "that which goes
before or precedes". The word describes an important aspect of God's character. He is
prevenient. That is, He is always at work before we come onto the scene. He is
always initiating. In our lives and in the church.
"Prevenience" is most commonly used in reference to grace. Prevenient grace. "While
we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Rom. 5:8) Before we ever thought about God,
while we were still lost in our sin, He took the initiative and gave His life for us. Before
we ever moved toward God, He moved toward us. He is always initiating. He is always
starting things. He is prevenient.
Our part? To see what He is doing and to respond. He is the initiator. We are the
responders. How we "do church" must be based on the character of our God.
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