Yes, I was raised in a very small country church, then married and attended a small church in Chisom (sp)outside of Montgomery where we lived. Mignon is a small country church in a huge building. But, almost every room is the home of an ongoing ministry; the Soup Kitchen, Prayer blanket, Caps for Christ, Crisis Closet, Women's Monday Prayer, Men's Sunday Prayer, Youth Ministry, Parlor for Showers, etc., Woodworking class, Small Group studies, playground used by the public also, and most important, the meeting room for our worship. It is a small room with straight chairs, no pulpit to speak of, no piano, just a keyboard, but we seem to always have a very special Guest meet with us there. Our interium pastor is a true man of God, loving and caring for the individual AND the church and where we need to go. I praise God for the Christian friends who gather there each Sunday. Now, I have preached my lesson and I will keep quiet on churches, no churches, home churches, or outside churches. I just thank God for every one. (And I thank him for the opportunity to "converse" with all of you.)
Like Shirley,one final word about churches.
The writings of Paul in the New Testament were written to encourage,strengthen and point out their failures.
The Book of Revalation speaks to the 7 churches..praising their work,damming their lukewarmness and offering restoration.
No way am I in favor of bashing churches that are the Bride of Christ...but,be it far from me to embrace anyone that runs up the flag and says,"We're a Church"...and does not meet the scriptural defininition of the church.