In an effort to get a visual picture of how we are accomplishing ministry, we like to use the picture of a three-legged stool. Each leg represents an aspect of the whole. Each leg contributes to the whole and the work of the ministry is complete with particpation in each part.  One of the legs of the stool is called Church in the House.  Certainly, it it not uncommon for churches to have small groups that meet on a regular basis.  However, we have become convinced that we want to do more than have small groups. We are convinced that in the early days of the church, they primarily met in homes.  With this in mind, we have established this leg of the stool that we call "Church in the House".  These churches gather regularly and are overseen by elders who have been given the responsibility of caring for the people that attend their church.  The churches are committed to caring for one another and the neighborhoods they meet in. This care for one another can range from meeting spiritual as well as practial needs as opportunities present themselves.  The churches are also the place that people gather for accountability, pastoral care and accomplishing the Biblical "one anothers".  These "one anothers" are those scriptural encouragements in how believers should relate to one another.  There are several but the some of the simple ones are "Love one another, serve one another and prefer one another".  In addition to caring for one another, each church is committed to ministering and serving their local neighborhoods through various activities and involvement in the life of the community.  We see each Church in the House as essentially neighborhood churches that gather in homes and seek to minister to neighborhoods and one another.  

The atmosphere of a church in the house meeting is causal and will vary from week to week.  It is not uncommon for the churches to simply meet to eat and share in life together.  Other weeks there may be an extended time of prayer or there may be a Bible message brought from one of the participants or a member of the ministry equipping team may come by to bring some instruction or encouragement.  The key to understanding church in the house is to not assume it is a small group or a Bible study.  While these elements are present, church in the house is much more.  The church in the house is to be an oasis of love in a hurting world planted in local neighborhoods.     

As a result of different needs in a variety of neighborhoods each church in the house has a different area of focus, however each church carries the cultural attitude and DNA of the whole ministry.  The expressions may vary but the heart is the same.  Each church gathers with the other churches in the region for weekly celebration.  This gathering of churches is for the purpose of equipping and corporate worship.