I just found your website, and liked this post. I would say the defining characteristic of a church has nothing to do with its structure, building or even its worship traditions. The defining characteristic is Jesus. In Matthew 16:16-17, Jesus said that He would build His church on a Rock. There are different ideas about whether that Rock was Jesus Himself, or the Truth about Him that had been revealed to Peter in Verse 16 – that He was the Christ, the Son of God- but as far as I’m concerned they are pretty much the same thing anyway. If you come together in His name, for the purpose of fulfilling His mission of giving hope and salvation to a lost world, and to encourage one another, it looks like church to me.

I do however believe that there is a Biblical pattern and a great benefit in ministering in the same “church” or group of people over extended periods of time. Simply skipping between groups would leave you with no brothers and sisters who truly knew you or your problems. The other danger of the “simple church” is the same danger that is faced by the institutional church – diversion from mission. We always have to check our motives for doing what we are doing – are they about Christ or our own self-interest.

If you are interested, you can see what we are doing with the church that meets in our house at http://www.centerlane.org

I haven’t met you but I’ve followed a blog trail to your post. I kind of choked up when I read this post. I know how you feel. I belong to a church but just can’t get to the Sun. sermon or all of the potlucks. Luckily we have small groups, and that’s what I tend to do more. I can’t wait to read more of what you’ve written!