WHY IT MATTERS //
As members of Revive we are Committed to Jesus and Committed to one another. This commitment (also known as koinonia) is one of the pillars of our ReviveHOMES; It sets a foundation for us to grow and mature in community. Each unique ReviveHOME is a local expression of the same DNA that God has given us as a family of churches. Over the next weeks we will explore together our shared convictions, our identity and the Kingdom mission God has called us to accomplish in unity.
When Revive began God gave our leaders a specific scripture that helped them understand the mission of our movement: Isaiah 61:4. We believe that we are people called to be a part of the work that God is doing on the Earth to “Revive The Way”. The early believers were first called followers of the way, as Jesus himself said “I am the The Way…”. We believe we are called to return (and help others return) to the purity of following Jesus. We also believe that we are a movement to “bring church back home”. This statement carries 3 meanings to us:
To bring church back to its origin; the focus on the basic foundations of faith and practice embraced by the early church.
To bring spiritual health and discipleship back to the family unit and also to set the lonely into spiritual and practical family.
To bring church back to the place of intimacy by gathering in actual homes in a format that cultivates growth and mutual commitment.
WHAT IT’S TALKING ABOUT //
3. To bring church back to the place of intimacy by gathering in actual homes in a format that cultivates growth and mutual commitment.
When members of the body of Christ gather together Jesus is among us. The standard format and way of gathering for the first 300 years of church history was house to house. While the believers in Jerusalem still additionally gathered in the temple courts, the body of Christ was composed of various house churches. They contained groups of local people who lived life together and met frequently to engage in all aspects of their Christian faith. This way of gathering was intimate and inclusive, giving all members the space to actively participate in the meetings.
Matthew 18:20 NIV
20 For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”
1 Corinthians 14:26 NIV
26 What then shall we say, brothers and sisters? When you come together, each of you has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. Everything must be done so that the church may be built up.