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HOUSE CHURCH BASICS
Make sure you are exploring the following resources to make sure you are grounding your House Church in the basics.
01 START HERE
Leaders Handbook
This PDF is for you to explore a grand overview of what is a House Church and the expectations of you as a leader.
02 HOUSE CHURCH RHYTHMS
House Churches will flow from the rhythms of up, in, and out. Use the following resources to help navigate how to plan well.
A. Family Gatherings Rhythms
Each time your House Church gets together for their Family Gathering, we want to make sure we understand the basic rhythm of how we should gather.
B. Schedule Template
After the first few months of House Church, responsibilities should be shared. The best way to do this is by scheduling yourself and others with time to prepare. Use the template below to empower those in your House Church.
C. House Church Mission
A big part of the House Church rhythm is the mission we are called to. Each House Church’s mission may be unique. Use this sheet as a guide on how to begin your missional journey.
D. Multiplication
A healthy House Church will reach the point of multiplication. New Leaders will be trained up and sent out. Here is a training talking about how to pay attention to the build-up for multiplication.
03 House Church Pillars
House Churches are built on the four pillars: Community, Formation, Presence, and Mission. Learn how each pillar can be expressed
A. Community
EXPRESSION
Defined by our adoption into the Family of God, House Church is where we commit to one another: in love and service, meeting and mission, confession and worship, discipling and sending.
RESOURCES
Community Training
Watch our training from our 2025 House Church Family Connect. Pastor Michael defined the different contexts of community and how House Churches can be both a space of connection and mission.
Group Guidelines
Read through these group guidelines that may benefit the structure of your family gatherings. Share them with your House Church as a baseline of behavior.
Always & Nevers
Read through Always & Nevers that help us navigate relational tensions with one another as the family of God. Share them with your House Church to set a baseline of conduct with one another in and outside of House Church.
Discipleship Groups
Is it time to grow deeper as a House Church while remaining missional? Encourage the men and women to meet outside of your group time in Discipleship Groups. Read this guide to help navigate this supplemental structure.
B. Formation
EXPRESSION
We see House Churches as the social context for our discipleship to Jesus. Where formation is grounded in family gatherings and fleshed out through life-on-life relationships. New disciples are welcomed to the fold, current disciples mature, and leaders are identified and empowered.
RESOURCES
Formation Training
Watch our training from 2023 from Pastor Bill to learn how we pursue formation in community.
Group Discussion Guide
Read through this group discussion guide to learn how you can effectively create dialogue during Family Gatherings for the purpose of formation, connnection, and reflection. Read this guide to learn some tips.
Inductive Bible Study
Anyone can lead a study of the scriptures. This guide will teach you a simple and intentional way to read through the Bible.
C. Presence
EXPRESSION
Empowered by the Spirit, we do nothing apart from God’s presence. From the reading of scripture to prayer to receiving communion. It is all seen as gateways for God to encounter His people.
RESOURCES
Presence Training
Watch our training from 2023 from Dana Cochran to learn how we make space for God’s presence in every space we enter.
Weekly House Church Prayer
Everything we do should be rooted in prayer. Each Monday, we set aside time to pray for House Churches at 8 am. If possible, join us on Zoom for a time of prayer together.
Naturally Supernatural Course
Alex & Hannah Absalom from Dandelion Resourcing are offering their Naturally Supernatural Course to Garden Church for free!
This course is a grace-filled, pastorally wise, and biblically rooted process to help you learn how you can invite God into every part of your everyday, ordinary life.
Use code gardenchurch when checking out.
D. Mission
EXPRESSION
We are called to display the fruit of the family of God to those who don’t know Jesus. Living as a family on mission is simple and accessible for all. It is rooted in the love of God, and it moves us to curiosity and wonder for the other.
RESOURCES
Missional Community Training
Watch the 5 week course on how to be a community that lives on Mission.
Missional Ideas
Here are resources and ideas on how to live on mission.
Mission Fund
Garden Church has set aside $150 a month for House Churches to use for their Missional Expression. Reach out to dana@garden.church to find our more!
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