A Concert in Your Living Room

I believe that the Lord calls us, with respect to how we engage with the Church, to be more participants rather than recipients. When we are devoted to sharing with others in the context of Christian fellowship, incredible things can occur. 1st Peter chapter 4 says this:
7 But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers.
8 And above all things have fervent love for one another, for "love will cover a multitude of sins."
9 Be hospitable to one another without grumbling.
10 As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
11 If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Consumerism can be a dangerous force for the Church - while, yes, we hope that God does meet us and we receive teaching and experience His presence, we also recognize that out of our connection with God should be a flow of His love to those around us. We can live each day more surrendered to Christ as a result of not only corporate worship, but the fellowship of the body.  And, that often comes as we gather together in small group settings.  Jesus desires for us to grow in our relationship with Him and with our fellow believers.

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The book of Acts is Luke's amazing account of the early Church: how the Holy Spirit birthed a Church and how it grew - and it has been sustained now for two thousand years. Acts chapter 2 says this:
44 Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common,
45 and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.
46 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart,
47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.

We can always be on the outlook for Christian believers to build community - we can do that at our common gathering place, in the local church building, as well as in our homes.  In the early Church, we see that the believers were meeting with one another in their homes.

Christian musical artist Andrew Peterson has captured that spirit of small gatherings while encouraging other artists and giving them the opportunity to minister. 

The Alabama Baptist published a story not too long ago, that also appeared on The Baptist Paper website, about a new effort called Host and Artist. Peterson said: “Once you’ve written the songs and recorded the album, the next obvious step is playing concerts,” adding, “Connecting with listeners in a live setting is where the rubber meets the road, but finding gigs can feel like a lonely highway.” The article relates:

Nearly four years ago, Peterson asked himself, “What if there was a platform that functioned with the ease and simplicity of Airbnb to connect singer-songwriters with willing house concert hosts?”

And, so, with the help of some other people, the concept was born. The story went on to say:

The platform supports artists and encourages the creation of music, helping them with the audience and allowing the audience to become part of the artist’s success. It encourages meaningful moments, fostering relationships and a sense of community through which gospel conversations can develop organically.

House concerts create a meaningful and easy experience for hosts, artists and the audience, Peterson said. Anyone with a living room has a music venue, he noted.

Peterson also said, "...a house concert gives us an excuse not just to support the arts, but to invite our neighbors over for something unique and beautiful." He added, "It opens the door to relationship, which is where the gospel comes alive.” 

Since the article originated in Alabama, several artists based in the state were mentioned: "The Hedgerow Folk, an indie-folk worship trio based in Opelika, Alabama, is one of the many artists hosts can book through the platform. Singer-songwriter Pierce Pettis of Mentone and folk singer Wilder Adkins from Birmingham also are available."  The process is simple: artists post on the site, potential home venues make an offer, the deal is struck, and the musicians are paid through the site. 

As the article notes: "The overall idea, Peterson said, is to help people realize that every living room or backyard in America is a potential concert venue."

This story really provides a reminder that the local church is a fellowship of believers, and it functions in the communities where people live.  And, we have neighbors with whom we can shine the light of Christ.  The model we see in Scripture is not merely attending a large gathering once a week and become a consumer of information or experience.  That can be very beneficial, but the gospel grows, as Andrew Peterson points out, through relationship.

The Bible describes a scenario where early believers were meeting in houses on a daily basis - and people were coming into a saving knowledge of Christ.  Yes, there was a large event on the day of Pentecost where 3000 were saved.  But, the smaller gatherings also contributed to the growth of the Church.  One of the trends in the evangelical church today is an emphasis on small groups - the Sunday School model is an excellent source of teaching and fellowship - but you also see people meeting outside the church building, per see, in more informal settings.  One thing to keep in mind is that God wants us functioning together as His body.