Also, for a look at the purpose and vision behind these books, check out Viola’s brand new book, “From Eternity to Here” at http://www.frometernitytohere.org .

Admittedly, when we were meeting with Church of the Good Shepherd in our little church building in Davidson, NC, it was less so. You have to take each one on a case-by-case basis.

in what way does it benefit the Church to NOT meet together in public?

Can we really call what most churches do in their buildings a public meeting? Are they significantly more public than what occurs in a home (larger, yes; but more public?) Are they public in the same vein as gathering in the temple courts?

“Looking around at other Church’s here in the UK, it would appear that even the most successful with small groups and house-groups, still meet together corporately once a week; admittedly in rented space.”

To my mind, that sounds like a healthy, well-balanced life for a church to have: Acts 2:46 calls it “temple and home” and (so Alan my priest in NC told me) John Stott (great British theologian!) calls it the balance between “formal and informal” meeting of the Church.

That reminds me: I promised one more post on this chapter… maybe tonight!

I can understand that organised religion and big church buildings might not be the best model we have, but I like it nonetheless. Some of our services are quite small and intimate too, and I like them as well.

We’ve been trying to do more with house-groups over recent years, but there hasn’t been a great deal of take-up with them. And part of the problem there is, I’m sure, that the older model is so ingrained into our psyche.

Looking around at other Church’s here in the UK, it would appear that even the most successful with small groups and house-groups, still meet together corporately once a week; admittedly in rented space.

Our building does take a lot to keep it in good repair. Parts of it are more than 800 years old, so no surprise there. That can be a problem for the mission and focus of the Church — seemingly so much geared towards finance. But I wouldn’t want to see it fall into disrepair. And there’s something very special about praying and worshipping in the same place that that’s been happening for eight centuries.

As I said, really torn on this one.

I think calling the NT practices normative for all the rest of Christian history leaves out two things: The Church is a Body, and as Bodies grow, they change and develop, or die; and, the Holy Spirit and His leading and inspiration seem not to be factored in by them at all.

And for every time they quote 1 Cor. 14:26 (which I often quote, myself, especially for Bring Your Own Worship moments at Community Group), I can come back with Acts 2:46; they ignore that “prescriptive” point – the REGULAR meeting together in a large, open, public and formal setting.

This is so fun! Let’s keep sometimes agreeing on stuff.

Interestingly I have a copy of the sequel, Reimagining Church, sitting on the counter next to me.

I think it boils down to this: Are the NT practices prescriptive or descriptive. Viola ( and presumably Barna) clearly think they are prescriptive, and I would agree.