Response:
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Here are some thoughts.

• 1. House churches. Certainly there were house churches in the New Testament. Also, many churches are mentioned that are not said to have met in houses. There is nothing wrong with a house church today. However, that church needs to be following the New Testament pattern. It needs to have a pastor and deacons, an organizational structure, and be involved in an evangelistic and discipling outreach. If it is doing these things, it will eventually outgrow the house, and then it will need to have a building of its own. Any church that has determined to stay in a house has determined that it will not attempt to reach the lost nor attempt to bring the backslidden into its fold. Also, in many urban areas it is simply against the zoning laws to meet church in your house. Of course, the Bible teaches a local assembly as opposed to a denominational hierarchy.

• 2. Open, interactive meetings. I do believe that there is a place for give and take in the church, particularly during Sunday School and Bible studies. However, your friend needs to read I Corinthians 14 and see what Paul says about what that book is advocating. Verse 26 says,

  "How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying."

  Apparently, everyone was doing whatever they pleased in the Corinthian church, and Paul rebuked them for that. Also, this type of behavior tends to foster pride. The Corinthians weren't trying to be "interactive" so that they could be a blessing; they were doing it so they could show off. Also remember that the Corinthian church is one of the most carnal in the New Testament, so they do not serve as a good example (I Cor. 3:1). And, of course, tongues aren't for today anyway (I Cor 13:8-10). Also, everyone is not qualified to give a word of instruction. James warns against people being teachers (3:1), because they receive the greater condemnation. Ultimately, everything must be done in order (I Cor 14:40). When Jesus spoke in the synagogue, he was not interrupted. When Paul preached he was not interrupted. There must be an order to every meeting.

• 3. Elder led church. If by this they mean that the pastor (who is the elder and the bishop) is in charge under Christ, then I have no problem with it. Certainly a denominational hierarchy is never taught in the Scriptures. However, if they mean elders who are different then the pastor and who tell him what to do, then that is a problem. Elders, pastors, and bishops are all the same office (Titus 1:5, 7; I Tim. 3:1; Eph. 4:11), and they all serve as undershepherds of Christ, Who is the Chief Shepherd (I Peter 5:4). They have the ultimate responsibility of church leadership (I Tim. 3:5).

• 4. Lord's Supper. The original Lord's Supper was a part of the Passover Feast, and thus was a part of a larger meal. However, the Lord's Supper itself is clearly designated as being simply the bread and the cup. I Cor. 11:26 says,

  "For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come."

  At the original Lord's Supper it seems that the bread and cup that symbolized the body and blood of Christ were not distributed until after Judas left, which would indicate that it was not simply a part of a meal. Also Paul rebuked the Corinthians extensively for turning the Lord's Supper into an opportunity to satisfy their hunger. Note the following verses in

  I Corinthians
  Chapter 11

  21. For in eating every one taketh before other his own supper: and one is hungry, and another is drunken.
  22. What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in?

  34. And if any man hunger, let him eat at home.

Fellowship meals are great, but they aren't the Lord's Supper.

Hope this helps.

By Pastor Dr. Mark Montgomery Email: Ask the Pastor Ambassador Baptist Church 1926 Babcock Blvd Pittsburgh, PA 15209 (412)477-3210