The House Church Book: Rediscover the Dynamic, Organic, Relational, Viral Community Jesus Started Hardcover – September 1, 2009

I purchased this book because I had already been interested in reading the author's  Houses that Change the World . So when Barna came out with "The House Church Book," I bought that one instead, since the description reads, "Houses that Change the World (originally published in the UK) is... Now revised as The House Church Book." After I finished reading The House Church Book, I came to the "Recommended Reading" page, only to find listed, "Houses That Change the World -- If you wish to study the subject of house churches further, Houses That Change the World is the 'big brother' of the book you have just read."I am now reading through Houses That Change the World, and what it appears Barna has done with The House Church Book is to simply make an abridged version of Houses That Change the World, polish the editing, and update some of the facts, figures and "dated" comments. In essence, The House Church Book is just a "leaner" version of Houses That Change the World. I think it is misleading to call it a revision. The content of the new book is virtually identical to that of the former, it just contains less of it. One might argue that Barna edited out some of the "unnecessary bulk," and it would certainly be a less threatening book for someone who is just getting their feet wet with the idea of house churches (it's under 175 pages, versus over 300 for the previous book), but, personally, I prefer the former book, so far (despite the occasional grammatical and editorial issues).I would recommend this book if you wanted to give it to someone else to introduce them to the topic of house churches, or if you want the most up-to-date facts and figures (though there are not enough of them, in my opinion, to make this a determining facor). Otherwise, I would go with Houses that Change the World for Mr. Simpson's full picture of house church (and to save a few dollars).

I honestly can’t remember the last time I felt compelled to get a yellow highlighter and begin highlighting in a book that I had just started reading, but this was one of them!If you could only buy one book to powerfully and spiritually inform you on God’s purposes for the house church movement, this would be it.It is profoundly apostolic and prophetic in its insights! I am buying multiple copies for friends of mine in the house church and discipleship movements.

Very insightful and helpfulComing from different denominations and different types of churches (how’s church, storefront, mega Church, traditional, small) I can say that this book speaks on many subjects that I have been thinking about throughout the years but he has supplied more insight that’s needed for the body

First, I must say that I have been involved in the house church movement for about 10 years. That said, I wanted to like this book, and found that I could not. Like too many others who claim to know how the NT church operated, Simson is presenting his opinions as facts. He appears to believe that his own pre-conceived notions trump any other considerations. A good place to notice this is in his insistence that the NT church was not allowed to go beyond 20 members. If it got to that level, Simson insists that the church was required to break into 2 separate churches. This directly contradicts not only some other notable scholarship, such as Dr. Banks (Paul's Idea of Community) and that of Roger Gehring (House Church and Mission, probably the best book available on the NT house church). It also contradicts evidence found directly in the NT, such as the size of the gathering at the house of Mary in Acts 12, which is described as ikanoi, or Greek for a large amount, certainly not a good word usage for a house that was quite large and of wealth (Gehrig). The other problem with this understanding is the concept of the time of the household. It would have been inconceivable for a household, which incorporated not only the immediate family, but also expended family, those who were tied through commerce to the patriarch, as well as servants and even certain neighbors. A good example of this would have been the Philippian jailer, who's household came to the Lord through Paul's ministry. Surely there would have been more than 20 in this household according to definition, and by both custom and culture it would have been like a divorce to split this group up.Another problem with Simson's treatment of the NT house church is his take on what is known as the 5-fold ministry. By taking 3 scriptures which mention the 5 gifts of apostle, teacher, pastor, prophet, and evangelist, he has woven a tale of how these operated within the house church setting. His main thrust seems to be looking at the ministry of Paul and assuming that all apostles were like him. He further takes these gifts and weaves these into a narrative that has little or no basis in NT scholarship ( see Banks book, Gehring, as well as Meeks, The First Urban Christian. What seems good is in fact Simson's fanciful take on how the church operated.As a house church practitioner, I was equally dismissive of Simson's multiplication theory. Unfortunately, most house church proponents, including Frank Viola, remind of that it is incredibly rare to find a house church that has existed for more than 4 years. My own research and experience has found this to be all too true. While there are a number of good reasons for this, Simson does not address this issue, but instead gives us a sweeping narrative on how, within a few decades, the house church will reach the planet for Christ.I wish i could go on, however, I prefer to express the positive contributions of a book. Unfortunately, I could not find any. Simson simply lets us down with his fanciful rendering of what the original church was like, and how we need to get back to that fanciful state. As a house church member, I can only shake my head, and wait for a better treatise on this wonderful subject. In fact, there are many out there that are far more accurate and helpful.

I love this book. I read house churches that change the world back in 2004 and it ruined me for ever for the relational house church. I wanted to re-read the book and found this kindle version. It says pretty much the same things as Wolfgang’s previous work, but it is just as challenging and life giving. For anyone out there that is being called to the authentic expression of relational Missional community this is a must read.

One of those books that has some great gems and some real gaps. Take the good, use it to flourish wherever God places you.

As a Bible College Graduate this book cuts back to the basics and helps to reform ideas generated by tradition that the real truth we all need is found in Jesus' words, I will build my church. This book requires obedience not just a casual read.

This book contains the basic ideas and logic that we need to start redefining our language, what we should be doing and where we should be going. Recommended!!!