Houses that change theworldcopyright by Wolfgang SimsonMadras, July 1998This is aROUGH DRAFT COPYfor evaluation purposes onlyThis is a pre-publication version of this book. Editing and polishing will be done later. At this stage, I amkindly asking for informed and helpful imput into this subject. Thank you very much for your involvement.Please do send your comments, critique or constructive ideas to one of the following contacts:FAX (+1)-(312)-453-0683Email: [email protected]: Wolfgang Simson, School Road 4-6, Tilehurst, Reading RG31 5AL, EnglandWolfgang Simson Houses that change the world 2ContentToo good to be true?Why and for whom this book was written1. The reinvention of churchBridging the the church gap2. Housechurches in HistoryRediscovery through the valley of the Dark Ages3. The nature of housechurchesWhat they are, what they do, and how they function4. The Five-Fold MinistryGod’s resources and structure for multiplying housechurches5. Housechurch or cellchurch?Eleven reasons why housechurches are very different6. Developing a persecution proof structure“Blessed are you when you are persecuted”: how to develop a persecution proof spirit and thrive underpressure7. No progress without changeThe art of Transitioning, or: how to avoid to do the New in the power of the Old8. All change is practical -23 Consequences and issues to address9. QsqValues and content are first, methods and plans second, and growth and numbers come last: how to thinkQuality-Structure-Quantity10. Fathering the next GenerationWho will do all the work?11. Ten Models of Church MultipliplicationHow to plant churches without manufacturing them11. Building national MomentumHow to develop a critical mass, and leave the outcome to GodAPPENDIX1. DAWN: Basics of the Discipling-A-Whole-Nation-Strategy “Dawn is a vision that suggests a processthat can develop into a strategy”Wolfgang Simson Houses that change the world 32. Sample of a strategy outline for saturation church plantingSuggested MaterialsAbout the authorAbout Dawn International NetworkComments:“To be honest, I have given up on all those new church fads and Christian waves. But this thing abouthousechurches excites me deep down. I have hoped for this type of church to become a reality all my Christianlife. I can’t believe it might come true! I am so excited I could cry.”Computer Programmer, Switzerland“This might actually work!”Pharmacist, Switzerland“Something simple, yet dynamic. That is what I have always hoped the church to be.”Medical Doctor, Switzerland“I have been 40 years in ministry. I feel I have climbed the ladder. Now I realize that it has been standingagainst the wrong wall.”Mission leader, India“This is exactly the type of church I have seen in action.”Woman, Mongolia“I am very excited about this type of housechurch.”Pastor, MongoliaToo good to be true?Being brought up in “Christian” Germany with churches everywhere, I have always felt that there mustbe something exciting about the Church which Jesus started and about which I read in the NewTestament - but somehow I have yet to discover what it is. I dreamed - together with many friends andcollegues, of a church, that is as simple as One-Two-Three, yet is dynamic; an explosive thing, able toturn the world and a neighbourhood upside down. The church as a supernatural invention; endowedwith God’s gift of immortality; the way to disciple each other, and to transfer the life of Jesus to eachother. An experience of grace and grapes, love and laughter, joy and jellybeans, forgiveness and fun,power and - yes, why not, paper. A church, which does not need much finances, rhetoric, control andmanipulation, which can do without powerful and charismatic heroes, which is non-religious at heart,which can thrill people to the core, make them loose their head for joy, and simply teach us The Way tolive. The church which not only has a message, but is the message; which spreads like an unstoppablevirus, infects whatever it touches, and ultimately covers the Earth with the glory and knowledge of God.It’s power stems from it’s inventor, who has equipped it with the most genius spiritual genetical code - asort of heavenly DNA, which allows it to transfer and reproduce Kingdom values from Heaven to Earth,and transform not only water into wine, but atheists into fascinated apostles, prostitutes intoprophetesses, terrorists into teachers, pimps into pastors, and dignified village elders into beamingevangelists in the process. It is like a spiritual family - organic, not organized, relational, not formal; ithas a persecution-proof structure, matures under tears, multiplies under pressure, grows under thecarpet, flourishes in the desert, sees in the dark, and thrives on chaos. A church that can multiply liketwo fish and five breads in the Hands of Jesus, were the fathers turn their hearts to the sons and theWolfgang Simson Houses that change the world 4sons their hearts to the fathers, were it’s people are it’s resources, and which has only one name to bragabout, the Lamb of God.Why and for whom this book was writtenThis booklet is the product of many people in many countries, and draws on the learning experiences of a widevariety of servants of God. Not only have I physically been writing the notes for it over the last 2 years inColombia, USA, Germany, Switzerland, England, Sudan, Egypt, Cyprus, Saudi Arabia, Muscat, Dubai, India,Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Korea, China and Mongolia, but I have been able to discuss these issues with numerousPastors and Missionaries and Christian Leaders. Most important of all, I wanted to listen intently to normalChristians and their dreams and experiences. I am thankful for all those inspiring moments, visits, listening tostories, having discussions, drinking tea. And I am also inspired by a host of valuable books and othermaterials; they are simply too numerous to mention.Jesus has given us the commission to go and make disciples of all nations. It is the growing conviction ofmany Christians around the world, that this will only be ever achieved by having a church - the shoppingwindow of God - in walking distance of every person on the globe. The church - the secret and powerful societyof the redeemed - must again become the place were people can literally see the Body of Christ, were his gloryis revealed in the most practical of all terms - hands on, down to earth, right next door, unable to overlook orignore, living