This is the way the New Testament church met together. God has chosen "weak things" as the means of accomplishing His purpose (1 Cor 1:27-29) and does not equate bigness with ability. The church is to operate as a family, not a business. The instructions given by the apostles on how to do church were given with house churches in mind; consequently, they work well in house churches, but not so well in large churches.

Meeting in the home fosters community, intimacy and accountability among the members of the body. With no overhead expenses (such as the construction and upkeep of a building), finances are directed toward the needs of the poor and the sending of missionaries. Mutual participation in the meeting by all is to be the rule, not the exception: Everyone is to participate in the meeting for the building up of the body as a whole (1 Cor 12).

The only definitive statement of a first-century church meeting is 1 Cor 14:26; there it indicates that "everyone" has something to contribute, and that the result is edification of the body. 45 minute sermons by one man while all others silently listen were absent from the New Testament church meetings. The objective of the church meeting in the New Testament is mutual edification, not Corporate worship (although, that is a by-product)

The Lord's Supper held weekly, as a full meal, with the elements represented by one loaf of bread and one cup of wine: The Lord's Supper was the purpose of the church meeting together in the New Testament (Acts 20:7; 1 Cor 11:18-20, 11:33). The Lord's Supper consisted of a full meal, not a piece of cracker and a thimble of grape juice (1 Cor 11:21; Acts 2:46; Jude 12). The elements were in the form of one loaf of bread and a single cup (1 Cor 10:16-17); this singularity, Paul tells us, causes unity in the body. The mood of the Lord's Supper is "joy" (Acts 2:46) not solemn reflection, because the focus of the Lord's Supper was the second coming, not the unworthiness of the participants.

On Church Leadership: The titles "elder," "overseer [bishop]," and "pastor" in the New Testament are interchangeable terms that refer to the same person. Elders (pastors) of the church are cultivated and trained by other leaders within the church, not by seminary professors (2 Tim 2:2). Elders (pastors) of the church must meet primarily moral qualifications, not primarily academic qualifications (1 Tim 3; Tit 1). Elders (pastors) of the church are not full-time professionals who are paid a salary Elders (pastors) of the church primarily "watch over" the flock; instead of delivering 45 minute sermons, theirs is primarily a "background" role.

Other Beliefs: There is no tithe in the New Testament church; with no buildings or professional pastors. There is no need for storehouse tithing; giving is done directly from giver to "getter."