A question that you might ask is - Can I Start a House Church? Jesus told believers to go and make disciples, heal the sick, cast out demons, and pray for miracles [1]. Jesus also told believers to love one another [2]. To fulfill these mandates, the New Testament church (believers) met in houses [3]. So why aren't we doing the same? Perhaps it is a lack of confidence, not feeling qualified, confusion from the Conventional Church, a lack of support, thinking it will be too much work, or not sure how to go about it. We will not likely get encouragement from the Conventional Church. It will take work, time and sharing of your life and home but isn't that what Jesus requires from each of us as believers. He wants everyone to be involved [4]. If you can find a couple of people with a similar heart to meet at your house and you believe this is what God intends you to do then I encourage you to GO FOR IT!

There will always be opposition when following and obeying God:

In Jesus day the leaders of the religious system questioned Jesus on what authority he did what He did. Jesus ways were different and did not follow their traditions [5]. Jesus told His disciples "I do what I see my Father doing and what He asks me to do" [6]. He did not need man's approval - He did it in His Father's authority [7]. We need to ask God our Father what He wants us to do and then do it to bring Glory to Him [8]. The Holy Spirit will lead us just as He led Jesus [9].

There was a man who was not one of the main twelve disciples yet he was driving out demons. When John one of the twelve saw him, he told him to stop because he was not one of them but Jesus indicated that it was OK because he was not against Jesus but for Him [10]. The man may have been an outsider but he was still a believer and follower of Jesus. So let's not discourage anyone who is following and doing what Jesus did.

You may receive opposition from Conventional Church leaders and traditional believers about starting a House Church:

• They might say: It's not safe to be on your own - no accountability - you might get deceived - you will have no spiritual covering.
  My Answer: You can network with other House Churches so that you're not on your own, and you have Jesus with you [11] - you are already accountable to Jesus and all believers - the Bible is your reference to follow, and the Holy Spirit will guide you into all truth - deception is already in the church - Jesus is your head and covering.
• They might say: You are not qualified - you have not been to Bible school - you don't know enough - you are not mature enough.
  My Answer: The twelve Jesus picked and discipled were uneducated - Jesus is the true Teacher so let Him teach you - Jesus told believers to go and make disciples for Him. If your are born again and have received the Holy Spirit, are following the principles of the New Testament Bible, and have walked with Christ for a few years then you have the same qualifications as Jesus disciples. If not, you may still have believers meet in your house and invite some more mature believers to visit your house for input.
• They might say: It's not traditional.
  My Answer: Today's Conventional Church does not follow the New Testament apostolic traditions. Instead the Conventional Church follows other traditions of men. The church meeting in house is the traditional New Testament way.
• They might say: You must give your tithe (a tenth of your money) to the local Church.
  My Answer: Tithing is an Old Testament law that was needed then - the New Testament teaches believers to share their resources with one another and give to the needy - not to buildings and full time salaries for pastors/clergy, which are the traditions of men.
• They might say: There's more influence on the world in numbers.
  My Answer: The world is truly hungry for caring relationships, healing and freedom - not a big group meeting where they must sit, listen, and give their money.

We need to believe and trust in Jesus, following the New Testament apostolic traditions rather than the traditions of today's religious men. The religious leaders of Jesus day killed Jesus and his disciples for sharing and following their Heavenly Father's will as they declared that they must obey God rather than men. Are we willing to follow our Heavenly Father's will rather than man's tradition?

To understand what a House Church is all about and how it functions, you can read the articles that I have written to help newcomers understand the model and heart of the New Testament House Church. You can also read any of the suggested books on the Home Page of EdmontonHouseChurches.com. I have read all the suggested books and will lend them to anyone who asks. I continue to read more books from others that have more experience than myself.

I have compiled many of the important principles in the following articles that I have written at http://www.edmontonhousechurches.com/ARTICLES.html, which would be most helpful for understanding what the New Testament Church is all about and how it differs from today's Conventional Church: 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about House Churches
Basic Principles Of The New Testament Church
Differences Between Today's Conventional Church And The New Testament Church
Church Traditions And Teachings That Are Not Based On The New Testament
Was There Leadership Authority In The New Testament Church?
Why Believers Met Together
Sharing Resources And The Use Of Money In The New Testament Church
God's Heart For Our Relationships With One Another 
House Church Participation Guide

Here are some suggested ideas for what you can do in a House Church: