For two years, we have sung very little on Sabbaths because, by law, we aren’t allowed to gather a group for worship in a home. Lest we cause a public disturbance, we keep things to a low hum.

I often think how in the West we take the right to assemble for granted. How visionary of the constitutional writers to prepare a law that gives you something instead of taking it away! I don’t think I would have thought of putting the right to assemble into a constitution. Until a person has had that right taken away, they likely can’t fully value its significance. In Canada or the U.S., we would never imagine being arrested for studying the Bible with a group of friends in our own home. Do you take full advantage of your freedom?

I sometimes think the U.S. is the perfect place for a home-church movement. The realities of large homes, home ownership, and the right to assemble make many Adventist members’ homes perfect for a small church. House churches grow through strong commitments to relationships, accountability, and personal involvement.

As we struggle to get a movement started in Turkey under adverse conditions, I challenge you to start a house church in your country under ideal conditions. It’s the way the church got started in Paul’s day right here in Asia Minor!

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