We are convinced that each house church should have as much autonomy as is compatible with its stage of growth. On the other hand we believe that each house church should have a designated leader or leadership couple. This role should be shared when possible with another leader/couple. The role of the leaders is not to teach or make decisions, but to facilitate. The ideal style is servant leadership in a low-key manner. To be effective, the leader must exhibit honest self-disclosure and acknowledge his or her struggles when appropriate.
Important decisions, as much as possible, should be made by consensus. However, circumstances will arise on occasion which will require the intervention of a leader. This is particularly true when someone may attempt to manipulate the meeting. In such a case, it is wise for the leader to review his or her decision with another leader or elder as soon as is feasible after the incident.
One well-known writer on house church issues believes that all house church decisions should be made by consensus, and that leadership should never be appointed, but should emerge out of the interactive process. We disagree, but we also acknowledge that we are learning.
The key role of the primary elder should be modeling, mentoring, and training, supplemented with much prayer. Ideally, each house church leader would also belong to the eldership, but this is not always feasible. The eldership should exercise a non-authoritarian facilitative and consultative role, with the mindset of working themselves out of a job.
We recommend that the house church leaders meet at least once per month, and more often when the church or churches are relatively new. Elders’ meetings will need to be held periodically, particularly if the church has IRS 501(c)(3) status, which requires an official board.
When the house church or house church network is not established or planted by an elder or proven leader, then the church will need to prayerfully, and not prematurely, choose its own elder or elders. Ideally, one or more elders should in time be released for apostolic (church planting) activity, and replaced by emerging elders. We believe it is always wise to have a plurality of elders, and when that is not possible or advisable, outside guidance should be sought.