You may know it as “Small Groups”, but we call it “House Church”.

Acts 2:42-47 is the Scriptural genesis for the vision of the formation of The Church at Tampa. It is our desire to have true Biblical community based on the example of the church at Jerusalem and one of those very important pieces of TCT’s philosophy of ministry is that of House Church.

“And day by day attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts…” -Acts 2:46

The church at Jerusalem enjoyed true Biblical community in every sense. From worship to teaching (discipleship), to “small group”, to service, to evangelism and to “…breaking bread in their homes…”

This fellowship included the Lord’s Supper, and communion was the true meaning of “…breaking bread in their homes…” True Biblical community resulted from this commitment to all aspects of being the church, and smaller Biblical community was an organic product of home gatherings. This is the model from which the ministry of House Church follows.

House churches exist for the purpose of enriching authentic Biblical community.

The following criteria are what we believe the Holy Spirit is leading us to employ for House Church:

• Discipleship in community

• Openness to group additions brought by the Spirit

• Commitment to the Word

• Commitment to community

• Commitment to fellowship

• Commitment to prayer

• Commitment to fulfilling the command of Galatians 6:2 in authenticity

• Commitment to consistent times of meeting

The house church is the best Biblical example of authentic community as seen in Acts 2:46.

Numbers - The House Church should attract people. A tighter small group can birth out of a House Church while still remaining part of the House Church - especially in terms of men’s and women’s accountability groups.

Fellowship - The House Church should promote intimacy amongst the members as well as build community through times that include others from outside the larger church congregation.

Multiplication - Multiplication of House Church is dependent on the timing of the Holy Spirit, and all participants of that House Church are involved in the multiplication.

Accountability - House Church allows group accountability and Biblical lifestyle changes to develop.

Gospel Sharing - House Church presents a first-step to the larger congregation for the un-churched or unbeliever.

House Church promotes obedience to the Biblical mandate of the New Testament church:

• Love one another
  John 13:34, 15:12

• Outdo one another in showing honor
  Romans 12:10

• Live in harmony with one another
  Romans 12:16

• Comfort and agree with one another
  2 Cor. 13:11

• Serve one another
  John 13:1-20; Galatians 5:13

• Bear one another’s burdens
  Galatians 6:2

• Forgive one another
  Ephesians 4:32

• Submit to one another
  Ephesians 5:21

• Be honest with one another
  Colossians 3:9

• Encourage one another
  1 Thessalonians 5:11

• Confess to one another
  James 5:16

• Pray for one another
  James 5:16