Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
Nikki Tundel
St. Paul, Minn.

Home church: Fellowship in the living room

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Log inCreate a free Account

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!
Home church group
Cambridge, Minnesota, has two formal home church groups. This one, known as the Blue Fish Group, meets in the living room of member Bob Roby on Saturday, December 4, 2010. A typical home church "service" consists of music, prayer, theological discussions and a shared meal.
MPR Photo/Nikki Tundel

In the age of megachurches, a growing number of Christians are looking for a more intimate way to connect with God and each other. Enter the home church movement.

In the home church model, there is no ordained pastor. There are no sermons. There's no formal choir. Instead, small groups of the faithful meet in private homes, hoping to take the reigns of their own religious development.

The Bible offers examples of ancient home church networks. In societies where Christians were persecuted, home churches flourished. For many modern-day followers, home church is a way to follow more closely in the footsteps of Jesus, who is believed to have embraced a non-hierarchical approach to spiritual leadership.

Cambridge, Minnesota, a community of 5000, boasts a tight-knit home church network. Reporter Nikki Tundel met up with its members for a firsthand look at their favored form of fellowship.

Gallery
10 of 10
Helping each other grow spiritually
For many of the network's members, home church is about helping each other grow spiritually. "I'm not trying to disparage anybody," says Fancey Lorsung. "But I think pastors have been up on a pedestal for too long, It's much more effective to be real with people. I would say the most important thing is that people are connecting, not who is standing in the pulpit. We can all help each other get closer to God."
MPR Photo/Nikki Tundel
1 of 10
Home church group
Cambridge, Minnesota, has two formal home church groups. This one, known as the Blue Fish Group, meets in the living room of member Bob Roby on Saturday, December 4, 2010. A typical home church "service" consists of music, prayer, theological discussions and a shared meal.
MPR Photo/Nikki Tundel
2 of 10
Bob Roby, host of weekly home church gathering
On this Saturday evening, Bob Roby was the host for his group's weekly home church gathering. He says he'd "choose a handful of Christians in my living room over hundreds of Christians in a big church. It's much more intimate." Plus, "it costs a lot of money to keep something like a megachurch going. Financially, home church makes a lot more sense."
MPR Photo/Nikki Tundel