1. How the Household of Faith Works

The purpose of the Household of Faith is to introduce and grow people in the Christian Faith. It seeks to deepen the spirituality of those who will become part of it. It will hopefully develop as a place where individuals are willing to bring their insights, experiences and knowledge and engage one another in spiritual searching and exploring. We want Christians to learn from each other. Our aim is to provide a crucible for spiritual growth. Household members will care for each other and preserve the confidences shared.

Equip Families

We also hope to equip families to share their faith. We want to encourage Christians to see their faith as an invitation to supper as well as to the corner church. We invite families to go beyond the "Sunday morning" mentality, so that Christian practices play a significant part in their daily lives. The Leader of the Household will be mentored by the Clergy. The Leader will also be apprenticing others for future leadership roles.

Life Changing Gospel

Through the Household of Faith we can bring the life-changing Gospel to bear on people's lives. Our motivation is not just to increase numbers in the local church, though this will probably happen, but to deepen personal faith. It is a way of sharing our Christian Faith with others in a very gentle way so that they might enter into and enjoy a living relationship with Jesus.

Andrew Brings his Brother

A good example of relational sharing of one's faith is Andrew who, upon meeting Jesus, went and brought his brother Peter to see him too. "We have found the Messiah," he said.¹ It was also Andrew who told Jesus about the small boy with the five loaves and two fish. ² Later, it was again Andrew who led some Greeks to meet Jesus. ³ Our aim in setting up a Household of Faith is to implement this Andrew Principle and to bring others under the words and influence of Jesus.

Baby Boomer and the X Generations

The Household of Faith concept is particularly appropriate in our present age where the majority of people of the Baby Boomer and the X Generations have spiritual qualities on the one hand but are not supportive of the Institutional Church on the other. They are however keen on family values, like the Household of Faith which relies upon friendships being built up and shared in the home. The Household of Faith, has the flexibility to meet the needs of the Baby Boomers, the X Generation and the Elders in Society today.

Family and Spirituality

The mainline Institutional Church is presently composed largely of Elders, who are the major financial supporters as well as its leadership group. The year 2018 A.D. marks the transition of the youngest of the Elders beyond the age of seventy after which the Elder Generation and their resources will not be with us. The Household of Faith concept appeals strongly to the Baby Boomers and X Generation for whom friendship, family and spirituality are high priorities.

Relational Evangelism

In a nutshell, our challenge as a church is to become more relational than institutional. We live in a secular society where many, like the tax collector Zacchaeus, are rich but not happy. He invited Jesus into his home, found a personal friend and his beliefs were transformed. The Household of Faith can do the same for our society today and in the years to come.

"You are fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household." Ephesians 2.19

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