OVERVIEW
Our
house church has been meeting since early 1999. We focus on what God wants Christians
to do when they get together (on church function rather than on church structure).
We are more like a family than what most people think of as "church".
We really care about each other's transformation into the likeness of Jesus Christ.
We regard how we live our lives all week long as the most important form of worship.
The verses from John 13-15
(see box above) tell us that just before Jesus went to die for us, He asked for
something very specific from his disciples. Therefore, we try to give Him what
He asked for. So, just what is it that Jesus asked
for? To highlight
the point a bit dramatically, Jesus in the Upper Room that night did not say,
"A new commandment I give to you, that you get together on Sundays and have
a worship service and hear a sermon or have a Bible study." Obviously, these
are great things to do — but not first priority because Jesus asked for something
else. Jesus was saying that he wanted
his disciples to love each other as He had loved them — up close and personal.
That is what he commanded and that is what He said would be the way to really
love Him. Up close and very personal
— that is the way Jesus loved his disciples. Honest consideration will admit
that this kind of love is not really possible in large church gatherings because
you cannot get to know each other well enough to love deeply. Also, structured
meetings of Christians do not allow enough time to get to know one another for
the constant personal touch of love that Jesus asks of us. When
we ask how Jesus specifically loved his disciples, we answer that He loved them
as Scripture tells us how Christians should love one another.
Almost 30 years ago Dick Wulf took hundreds of verses and condensed them into
what are now known as The Togethers of Scripture. These are 65 things
that God expects us to do when we are with each other. And, while we would love
to give ourselves high grades in doing these things, in humility we must admit
that we only scratch the surface. To
fully understand The Togethers and what we try to work hard at doing for the praise
of God in our house church, please go to www.ChristiansTogether.org.
This is a new new ministry by Dick Wulf
and fellow house church member Ray Seldomridge. We hope to show that the very
best way to express Christianity is in Christian friendships, Christian
families, and Christian marriages. Dick and Ray feel strongly that
the hope for the church's vitality (which statistics say is sliping) is in helping
these relationships become most obedient. And,
based on John 14:21, loving Jesus by obeying his command to love those Christians
we are closest to is the way to get extra love from God the Father, extra love
from Jesus Christ, and a closer personal relationship with Jesus because he will
provide a special manifestation of himself. Therefore,
what is so important to the church that meets at the home of Dick and Jean Wulf
is commitment first to God, and then to one another in community. As
a result, we invite people who think they might be interested in our kind of church
to come up to 3 times. After that, a commitment to join us is required, at least
for a few months. This is only because we are opening up to each other for the
kind of help God has prescribed as the way to maximize spiritual growth. We are
not an optional experience and we do not beleive that just praising God in song
and hearing a sermon does anymore than scratch the surface of the honor we want
to give our Lord. The first few verses of 1 Corinthians 13 remind us that we do
not want to be clanging cymbals.
We
are interdenominational and we have both people who do not speak in tongues and
people who exercise it as a private prayer language. We hold to the basic doctrines
of the Christian faith as delineated by the Statement of Faith or the National
Association of Evangelicals. We are far
from perfect and have not figured out how to do everything. But, we face those
challenges together. We have been larger in the past and have stayed smaller for
the past many months because some of us are struggling with serious medical problems.
Our first consideration has had to be the depth of love necessary to the situations
faced. We all have secular jobs or are
retired. We are not an institution for higher learning but a community for holy
living. We study the Scriptures seriously for the purpose of loving God and loving
one another, or for bringing others to Christ. We avoid biblical discussions that
are less important. What we really have trouble with is finding enough time to
help each other grow in Christ. But,
let me emphasize that we are not very legalistic. People use whatever version
of the Bible they wish, but we each share from our vaious versions. We, however,
are not open to anyone involved in what would be considered a cult. Here
is another thing to consider that emphasizes that we are a "family".
Our meeting time is usually from 11 am to 2 pm, but it does change for needs of
"family members". During football season, for example, we meet around
the Denver Broncos game times. Then, for those who wish, we watch the game together
– which we also consider "church". We have also altered our meeting
time for the Colorado Springs Symphony and other events and responsibilities. If
you have no problems with what we have said so far, maybe you would like to visit
and meet us. If you would like to visit
and see if our house church is what God wants for you, please call Dick Wulf at
659-6102. He will let you know the present state of our meetings and answer your
questions. If you still want to visit, the best time for you to visit the house
church will be determined in light of whether or not we are dealing with something
so personal that visiting needs to be delayed a week or two. The
amazing grace of the Master, Jesus Christ,
the extravagant love of God,
the intimate friendship of the Holy Spirit,
be with you.
2
Cor 13:14 (from The Message Bible) | 
