A chipped blue wall. Photo by Jarrod Reed for Unsplash

Churches worldwide have transitioned significantly from traditional buildings to smaller, community-focused gatherings. House churches, where believers meet in homes instead of formal churches, are becoming more popular. This shift raises a compelling question: Do churches need walls to fulfill their spiritual and communal purposes?

John Fenn and Church Without Walls International

John and Barb Fenn established Church Without Walls International in 2002 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, according to their website. Since its establishment, the network has connected with hundreds of house church affiliates in over 50 countries worldwide.

John Fenn is a Christian minister and author who, along with his wife Barb, has served in various ministry roles for over 37 years. He began his ministry journey after graduating from Rhema Bible Training Center and has served as a pastor, campus minister and associate pastor. In Tulsa, Oklahoma, he was the Executive Director of Victory Bible Institute, according to their website.

He later founded The Church Without Walls International, focusing on house church ministry.

In an interview Koinesúnē conducted with John Fenn, co-founder of Church Without Walls International, said, “And the core in Scripture — the core group of people that we see in Scripture repeatedly are friends, family, friends, neighbors and coworkers.” These house churches revolve around friends, neighbors and co-workers meeting regularly to grow in Christ and encourage them to accept and follow God's plan. 

The organization believes in one unified Statement of Faith and one set of core values, with no financial contribution required. This is significant because it promotes unity based on shared beliefs, not money. It ensures that everyone can join based on faith, without financial barriers.

Church Without Walls International serves as a hub to connect Christians in its house church network, according to thier website.They connect through annual house church conferences, online video conferencing, network updates, monthly newsletters and social media platforms. They also provide weekly video teachings, devotionals, teaching series, free worship music and the Church Without Walls Bible School.

Hands clasped in prayer on top of a Bible. Photo by Olivia Snow for Unsplash

The Shift Towards House Churches

The COVID-19 pandemic sped up the shift to house churches, as gathering restrictions forced people to find new ways to connect. “We know Covid definitely helped in the U.S especially,” Fenn said.

Fenn reflected on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on house churches, stating, “The COVID pandemic was a wake-up call for us. It showed us how we can stay connected without being physically present.”

This adaptability highlighted the potential for house churches to thrive, even when traditional church settings were inaccessible, according to Fenn.

Community and Outreach

Church Without Walls International demonstrates a strong commitment to community and outreach.

"We've had folks who have had interest, and they said to the whole house church, ‘Let's go down to the food bank,’” Fenn said. He highlighted that members regularly participate in local service projects, such as Habitat for Humanity, demonstrating their commitment to community involvement.

Additionally, the unique structure of Churches Without Walls International allows for personalized outreach, Fenn said.

"We've had one house church where a guy had a construction company, and he had a heart for young men who suffered — [he] didn't have a dad, coming out of drugs and addictions,” Fenn said. “His mission was to hire some of these men and teach them a trade. Teach them integrity. Teach them a skill."

Through such varied and impactful activities, Churches Without Walls International’s house churches exemplify a significant dedication to uplifting and supporting their broader communities.

Benefits of House Churches

House churches offer several unique advantages, particularly in creating deeper community connections.

“People grow spiritually in house churches because they're more engaged,” Fenn said. “Everyone participates, and it’s not just about listening to a sermon.”

This participatory nature can lead to more meaningful spiritual growth when members actively pour into their neighbors rather than passively receive, according to Fenn.

There are many key strengths of house churches, one of which is inclusivity, according to Fenn.

“House churches are more inclusive,” Fenn said. “People feel more comfortable to share and be themselves.”

House churches also provide an opportunity for discipleship and mentorship, according to Fenn.

“In a smaller setting, it’s easier to mentor and be mentored. You can’t hide in the crowd,” Fenn said.

The close-knit environment creates personal relationships that are vital for spiritual development, according to Fenn.

Leadership and Structure

The leadership dynamics in house churches also differ significantly from traditional church settings.

“Leadership in house churches is about facilitating rather than directing. It’s about enabling others to use their gifts,” Fenn said.

Creating different leadership positions allows for a more shared and collaborative leadership style, utilizing everyone’s talents, according to Fenn.

In traditional churches, leadership typically follows a hierarchical structure, where one pastor or a small group of leaders make most decisions. In contrast, house churches are typically more inclusive, according to Fenn.

“In a house church, leadership is shared. There’s a sense of mutual responsibility and accountability,” Fenn said. This model can lead to a more engaged and empowered meeting.

Financial Considerations

Financially, house churches are more sustainable. House churches can distribute resources more directly toward the community, without the costs of maintaining a building. House churches allows for greater flexibility and responsiveness to community needs, according to Fenn.

“One of the benefits of house churches is that they don’t require a lot of money to operate,” Fenn said. “The focus is more on relationships and less on infrastructure.”

“We can quickly respond to needs within our group and our local community without worrying about a budget for building maintenance,” Fenn said.

A small white church in the middle of trees. Photo by Todd Diemer for Unsplash

Challenges and Future Perspectives

Despite their many benefits, house churches are not without challenges, according to Fenn. Maintaining these smaller groups' closeness can become challenging as they expand.

“As house churches grow, one of the challenges is maintaining the intimacy and closeness that comes with smaller groups,” Fenn said.

Additionally, house churches can face logistical challenges.

“Hosting a house church means someone’s home needs to be open regularly, which can be a burden,” Fenn said.

This requirement can pressure hosts and require a system or multiple meeting locations to relieve the load from one single home.

Another issue is the perception of credibility. Some people might view house churches as less legitimate than traditional churches because they lack a formal building.

“There’s sometimes a stigma attached to house churches as if they’re not ‘real’ churches,” Fenn said.

Overcoming these perceptions requires education and a shift in how people understand what the Church is as the body of Christ.

The Future of House Churches

“The future of house churches is bright,” Fenn said. “People are looking for authentic relationships and meaningful spiritual experiences, and house churches provide that.”

As more individuals seek genuine connections and spiritual depth, house churches are well-positioned to meet these needs.

While traditional church buildings have long been the norm, house churches offer a compelling alternative emphasizing community, inclusivity and active participation. They challenge the idea that a church must have walls and suggest instead the Church lies within the relationships and spiritual growth created within the community.

“Community is at the heart of house churches. It’s about living life together and supporting one another,” Fenn said.

Church Without Walls elevates Jesus by focusing on personal and community worship rather than being tied to physical constraints, emphasizing the spirit of the Church transcends physical boundaries.

As the movement grows, it may culturally redefine what it means to be a church, focusing on the people and their relationships with God and each other, rather than the buildings in which they meet.

Matea Damevski is coming up to her senior year at Fordham University. Her passion for journalism encourages her to seek information that is not right before your eyes and present it unbiasedly.