church in my living room

When someone discovers that I'm a part of a House Church network in Lawrence, KS, I'm generally met with a lot of questions. These questions can arise from a variety of places within the questioner. Sometimes it's fascination, other times it's freak-show curiosity. I'm met with concern and with admiration. But generally, people seem to be interested in how House Church actually works and how they can apply it to their local context.

Thus far, I have been hesitant to share the secret of our community, but in a moment of clarity, I've decided it only appropriate to share from our riches. The secret success of our house church comes from one activity that we, as a community, engage with together: Hearts with Consequences.

For those unfamiliar, Hearts with Consequences is basically a combination of Hearts and Russian Roulette. Before the commencement of the game, every participant chooses a 'consequence' that they must perform if they end up losing (ex. signing up for eHarmony & going on a date through it, getting a tattoo of the card you lost the game with, driving your car decorated with 'Just Married' all over it for a week). In case it isn't perfectly clear, the point isn't necessarily to win, just to not lose!

Now, some of you will question the theological and Biblical basis of Hearts with Consequences and it's effect in bringing about the life of God. To those, I would encourage a fresh reading of Acts 2:42-47:

They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to intense individualistic competition, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders, miraculous signs and humiliating consequences were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common despite the risk of social humiliation. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Their competitive spirit so rampant, every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved and joining in on the lively festivities.

As disciples of Jesus, it is important to discover modern pictures of what it looks like to follow Jesus both as an individual disciple and as a community of disciples. On both accounts, I offer one picture:



(a special thanks to T$ whose gracious permission to use his picture made this post possible)