1C. Sacraments and Ceremonies

The first meeting would do several things

Introduce the Household members to one another maybe using one of the ice breakers in Step Five
Familiarize the Household of Faith with the process of running the group and answer any questions.
Hold a Worship/Sharing time led by the Leader using one of the options in Step Three.
Discuss a name for the Household (See Suggestions above.)
Decide on a Household name
Draw up the Household of Faith Covenant (Step Three.)
Finalize and agree on the Household Covenant and submit it using the email format
Discuss the teaching materials proposed and make a decision together.
Complete the Registration Form for the Household and submit it by email. Closing Prayers Together

Connection to the Church

"What are the roles of the Diocese, the Bishop, Clergy, the Leader, the Host and the Members in the Household of Faith?"

The Household of Faith is connected to and is part of the larger Christian Church. Like the corner Church, it is a place for continuous faith development, with God at the center of all that it does. It is guided by clear Christian ethics and teaching and set under the authority of the Bishop guided by the hand of the Holy Spirit. It is joyful, prayerful and forgiving. The Household of Faith is basically a "domestic Church" which is Christ centered and therefore peace filled, caring, generous and spiritual. Though connected to the wider Christian Church it is still a separate entity. The Household is intended not as a drain upon the local church but a support and stimulus to it. It is meant to be a mechanism for not only building up its own members but also drawing in others. This model will work differently in urban and rural settings. The Bishop of the Diocese in which the Household is situated would as a courtesy be notified of the formation of Households there.

Sacraments and Ceremonies

What place would the sacraments and ceremonies of the Church have in the Household of Faith? In the New Testament, many of the sacramental acts occurred in the Household of the Faith. In a time before the institutional church had found its present form, the Eucharist, Baptism preparation and Biblical teaching were at the core of the Household ministry. These and other sacraments such as Baptism, Holy Communion, Confirmation, and Confession/Absolution reside in the local church today. If there is no local church in an area, there would be no reason why these sacramental acts could not be practiced once again in the Household of Faith. There will be variations across the church and these parameters would be drawn up by the Bishop and clergy for each situation.

Clergy Support

The Clergy in whose parish or area the Household is situated would be requested to give his or her support to the formation of Households there. One cleric might have oversight of up to ten Households of Faith when there is no institutional church in an area. They will generally not attend Households once they are formed except to celebrate a communion service on invitation one week in four. If problems arise, the clergy in consultation with the Bishop may name a new Leader, Host or location or set up another mechanism for resolution of a dispute or when absolutely necessary close the Household.

The clergy's role is to equip the Leaders, train up new Leaders and retain personal oversight of the Households. Each Household will register with its Parish and Diocesan Affiliation on the internet at http://www.tellout.com

The clergy and his or her family could be part of a Household of Faith themselves but not take leadership there. Leaders would be selected and supported by the clergy who will meet with them on a regular monthly basis to talk about the Household activities. The Leader will normally be different from the Host so that there will be no conflict of duties. The Host's main concern is the environment for the Household; the Leader's main concern is the running of the Household. The Leader is to be a respected and trustworthy person with natural authority and the ability to lead. The Leader and Host's names and addresses will be registered for Household Correspondence. (See Step Four)

The Host and House Marker

The Host will be a person who is willing to open their home to the Household of Faith for a gathering every week. Refreshments may be provided before or after a meeting but not elaborate food and drink. An occasional shared meal to which all could contribute a dish may be part of the gathering if acceptable to all members.

A distinctive marker may be placed on a street sign, a door, in a window, or on a post box to indicate the location of the Household of Faith. The sign could be designed with a Diocesan Crest (for Anglican Dioceses) and made available to Households when they register.

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

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