In the need to describe what a CWOW house church meeting looks like we need to compare it to something we know to see the differences. There are several differences between a ‘regular’ church and a house church. The first difference is that by meeting in a home there is no "church" building or auditorium style structure with the pastor up front and everyone looking at him and the worship team. (The auditorium style didn’t come into practice until the 300’s AD, up until then the church met in homes)

Usually house churches meet in the living or family room, in (roughly) a large circle, sometimes seated on the floor or whatever is comfortable. Dress is casual and often the meeting will be carried on through a pot luck meal. It is very much like having friends, family, neighbors, and coworkers over for conversation, worship and study...it’s very much like that because that’s what it is!

Here is one of the basic elements of a home church that is mentioned in the church at Corinth. Paul said in I Cor 14:26,

"How is it brethren? (a term referring to men and women) When you come together, every one of you has a psalm (by definition a poem, usually set to a stringed instrument), has a doctrine (something the Lord has been teaching you from His Word), has a tongue (move of the charismatic gifts, a tongue needing to be interpreted), has a revelation (a personal issue or instruction for your life from the Lord that you want to share with the church), has an interpretation, let all things be done to the building up of the others."

This shows us anyone could participate in church, as they felt led, not under compulsion. Take worship for instance. A traditional church is built around a few individuals leading the congregation while a home church is more spontaneous. In a CWOW house church someone with a guitar may lead a few songs, perhaps someone on the piano, often a spontaneous song (with or without accompaniment) will be joined by others.

In a traditional church the songs are set ahead of time, in a home church someone may prepare some songs to lead everyone in, but the worship is free and open to go with the flow as the Lord directs. That isn’t to say that every meeting is a free for all, for that’s not the case. There may be someone who wants to lead worship, but even then there is no agenda in the worship other than leading everyone into the presence of God. Worship IS the agenda.

Another difference is the sermon. In a traditional church the pastor has a teaching or message that is one way communication...he talks and you listen...and everyone knows ahead of time he (or she) is giving it and about how long it will last. In a home church an elder or any other person may have a message, but it is shorter and usually open to discussion (during the message itself).

Prayer for someone is something in which any and all may join in, laying hands on the person in need, taking time to linger and hear a Word from the Lord for the person or situation being lifted up, versus traditionally a pastor or designated leaders being the only ones to minister to someone at an altar call.

A traditional church service is geared towards keeping the congregation from participating, lest anyone say or do something wrong. It is also geared to a set time frame. Perhaps 4 songs, announcements, a ’special’ during the offering, the message and ’I hope he’s done on time because the line at the buffet will be long if he’s not’.

A CWOW affiliate will rotate from house to house rather than meeting in a set home each week. This is for several reasons, one of which is that scripture teaches that where 2 or 3 are gathered in the name of Jesus, he is there in their midst. Therefore we believers are the church rather than a building.

Typically a CWOW affiliate will start gathering around 10am on a Sunday morning. Usually there is discussion and ‘catching up’ and prayer requests are written down each week and answers tracked. There may also be individual prayers for the people in attendance including the laying on of hands, prophecy, and the opportunity to minister to each other.

Usually around 10:30 or 10:45 someone will lead in worship. Because of the nature of worship a house church designates within itself who will lead from week to week if there are several gifted in music. Others may sing along with worship CD’s or tapes, or sing without instruments.

After a time of worship a person previously designated will share a short study or message from the Bible which is open to discussion for all. There may be some meetings in which the leaders don’t feel led in any particular area and the meeting can turn into a long worship session. Other times the Spirit may move to make it a time of intercession.

This is where leadership comes in, to know what the Lord’s agenda is for the service and see to it that the group is steered along that path.

Usually the discussion will lead to at least noon, and sometimes a snack will be passed around while the study and discussion is taking place. Other times it may end and everyone will break for a pot luck meal, where conversations continue while eating.

You can see that a home church is a meeting of family and friends for worship, the Word, fellowship, often times a meal, and discussion. The agenda is to seek the will and presence of God and the edifying of everyone present. It’s a very relaxed atmosphere among a small group that naturally lends itself to the discipleship process.

Each house church soon develops it’s own personality and discovers it’s God ordained place in the body. Some house churches seem to have an anointing for dealing with marriages, others may be geared towards and led by teens for teens, still others may be geared toward helping members in practical day to day needs.