> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://sphk.gitbook.io/hc/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://sphk.gitbook.io/hc/house-church-leaders-manual/4.-guidelines.md). # 4. Guidelines ## Preparing for a House Church Meeting Good preparation covers five areas. * **The Space.** Clean the house and create a welcoming environment. * **The Meal.** Set out cups, plates, napkins, and necessary cutlery. * **The Heart.** Pray with the host for at least 30 minutes beforehand. Pray for your members, the space, and a life-transforming encounter with God. * **The Worship,** if you are leading. Select songs, tune instruments, and practice. * **The Discussion.** Review the weekly sermon, read the discussion questions, and plan the flow of the conversation. If you don't have a worship leader, use pre-made worship playlists on platforms like YouTube or Spotify. Sharing the meal responsibility is best. Have members take turns buying the main food, while others handle drinks or dessert. The host should only be responsible for providing plates, cups, napkins, and cutlery. Providing dinner entirely by yourself every week can undermine the sense of community and create an unhealthy dynamic. ## Visitor Protocol There are two types of visitors. Some have never attended a House Church. Others are switching House Churches. Your approach will differ based on the type of visitor. ### **First-time visitors** When someone new expresses interest in your House Church, it's best to meet in person first. You can arrange to meet after Sunday service or in a public place. This meeting helps you understand what they're looking for and ensures they are aligned on the purpose of House Church. Emphasize that commitment is a core value at SP and explain its importance. Cover these key points. * **Commitment.** Attend Sunday Service regularly. Attend House Church weekly. * **Purpose of House Church.** It's a place to encounter God. The goal is spiritual growth. Share what's unique about your House Church. * **Visitor guidelines.** Visitors can attend up to three different House Churches. They can visit each House Church up to two times before deciding whether to commit. This conversation helps set clear expectations and may reveal whether House Church is the right fit for them. ### **Visitors switching House Churches** People switch House Churches for various reasons, such as scheduling conflicts, conflict with a member or leader, feeling disconnected, or not experiencing growth. Before they commit to your House Church, talk with them about why they left their previous House Church and whether they received their leader's blessing. Reach out to their previous leader to understand any issues. The goal is to be prepared when welcoming these members, not to find reasons to reject them. ### **Why we don't reject people** House Church is meant to be a place where people, even those who are broken or challenging, can encounter God and be transformed. In the words of Ed Stetzer, "A church without the broken is a broken church." ## Preparing for the New HC Season The new House Church season starts the first week of September, and the first meeting is crucial. It sets the tone for the entire season. > "Where there is no vision, the people perish." *Proverbs 29:18* Here are three key steps to prepare. ### 1. Send a commitment message Before the first meeting, send a commitment message to your current HC members. This helps set clear expectations from the start. See the sample message in [here](/hc/house-church-leaders-manual/6.-sample-messages.md#start-of-season-commitment-message). ### 2. Pray with your co-leader Meet with your co-leader to share your expectations, seek God's guidance, and pray together. You will need God's involvement to fulfill His plans for the season. Remember the core vision and mission. * HC Vision Statement. House Church is a place where people can encounter God. * HCL Mission Statement. House Church leaders are to disciple members to become leaders. ### 3. Set expectations at the first HC meeting The first meeting is the time for everyone to share their hopes, hear from God, and plan for the season together. This process brings unity and ensures everyone is aligned. Follow these steps for the first meeting. 1. **Share expectations.** Have each person share what they want from HC this season. Common desires include intimacy, trust, support, and deeper relationships. This is a great moment to explain why commitment is key, since building trust and intimacy requires consistent time together. 2. **Seek God's vision.** Take time to listen to what God wants for the group this season. Have everyone share what they heard. This will unify the group and provide clear direction. 3. **Brainstorm action steps.** Discuss practical ways to achieve both personal and God-given goals. For example, if people want deeper relationships outside of meetings, someone can take the lead in organizing social gatherings. If the desire is to experience God more, set aside time for prophetic prayer during HC meetings. 4. **Pray together.** End the meeting with prayer, dedicating the season to God. Pray for transformation, unity, and for God's presence to lead the group. Without God, the HC is just a social gathering. By following these steps, you'll set a strong foundation for a fruitful House Church season. ## New HC Leader's Protocol ### Criteria #### 1. Service requirement The candidate must have regularly served at SP for at least 12 months, with their most recent service being within three months of nomination. #### 2. Biblical standards The candidate must meet the leadership standards listed in 1 Timothy 3:8-11. > "Deacons likewise must be men of dignity, not double-tongued, or addicted to much wine or fond of sordid gain, but holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. These men must also first be tested, then let them serve as deacons if they are beyond reproach. Women must likewise be dignified, not malicious gossips, but temperate, faithful in all things." #### 3. Mandatory leadership standards (By-law 7A) 1. Sincere love for and pursuit of Jesus Christ demonstrated in regular personal worship, meditation on the Word, and prayer. 2. Demonstrated fullness of the Holy Spirit, of faith, and of wisdom. 3. Regular attendance of SP worship services and activities. 4. Commitment to, and active participation in, a House Church. 5. Agreement to SP's Statement of Faith, Statement of Purposes, Vision, Mission, and Core Values. 6. A committed, cheerful giver who tithes and gives regularly to the fellowship. 7. Commitment to discipleship training, demonstrated by having completed both discipleship courses, "Growing in Christ" and "Experiencing God." #### 4. Reference leadership standards (By-law 7B) 1. A perception of leadership not as grasping for position, title, power, authority, respect, or privilege, but as a commitment to humble service and self-sacrifice. 2. Honesty, loyalty, and commitment to their pastors or overseers, and to those whom they are pastoring. 3. Trustworthiness, with the ability to resist being bribed or bought. 4. Commitment to open and loving communication, to solving relational problems, to processing anger constructively, to encouraging and building up, and to maintaining confidences strictly. 5. Willingness to be a team player and to help SP succeed. 6. If married, a strong, loving marriage in which both the husband and wife are committed to the church. 7. Capable and respected, mature in the faith, and with proven ministry ability. 8. Willingness to be judged by strict standards and to accept reproof. 9. Love for people and for Jesus, without desire to benefit personally at the expense of the flock. 10. Commitment to equipping others for ministry through active recruiting, training, deploying, monitoring, and nurturing. 11. Commitment to doing excellent work, taking responsibility seriously, being proactive, planning, and executing well. #### Recommended, though not required * Has gone through inner healing with River. * Already serves as an HC Helper in a leadership role. ### Step 1. Pray with your co-leader Raising a new HC leader is a process, not an open invitation to the group. It involves dedicated discipleship, prayer, and thoughtful selection. Pray and discuss the potential candidate with your co-leader. Look for peace and confirmation in prayer. Consider these questions. 1. **Do they love God?** Do they seek an intimate relationship with Him? Do they want to hear His voice and follow His will? 2. **Do they love people?** How have they served others? Do they have a heart for shepherding? How do they handle conflict? 3. **Do they consider SP their church family?** How is this demonstrated? 4. **What are their capabilities?** Consider emotional intelligence, leading discussions and prayer, ministering to others, and summarizing sermons. ### Step 2. Nominate your member Once you feel peace about the candidate, fill out the HCL Nomination Form at: [go.sphk.org/nomination](https://go.sphk.org/nomination) The candidate will be reviewed by the HC Cluster Leader, the Ministry Leader, the Board of Directors, and the Local Elders. Once all confirmations are received, the HC pastor will give you the green light. ### Step 3. Talk to the candidate After receiving the green light, discuss the role with the candidate. Share why you are asking them, why they are a good fit, the expectations of the role, and the plan moving forward. Ask about their thoughts, feelings, and concerns. End the conversation by encouraging them to pray about the decision and ask how much time they need. If their answer is no, respect their decision. This role should not be forced on anyone. ### Step 4. HCL candidate form If they say yes, ask how they came to that decision. Have them fill out the HCL Candidate Form at: [go.sphk.org/candidate](https://go.sphk.org/candidate) Let them know Pastor Kenny will contact them to arrange a meeting. After the meeting, it will be decided if they will officially become an HC leader. ## Group Size and Multiplication You can officially close your HC once two conditions are met. At least 12 members, not including leaders, attend for three straight weeks, and you have a clear plan for multiplication. Once these are met, contact the House Church Pastor. He will confirm and remove your HC from the website. Start praying about multiplication once you consistently have 12 attendees. Once you reach 16 members, it's time to officially multiply into two groups of eight. If your House Church is growing but you don't have new leaders ready, pause accepting new members and shift your primary focus to training up new leaders from within the group. Your House Church will not be closed simply because it isn't growing in numbers. SP prioritizes obedience, faithfulness, and servanthood over numerical growth. If you are faithfully serving, you don't need to worry about numbers. Instead of asking whether your group should close, pray for God's guidance and wisdom on next steps. Temporary leaderless periods are acceptable during a transition, but long-term leaderless groups do not align with our vision of House Church as a space for discipleship and leadership development. ## HC Leader Sabbatical According to our church bylaws, "The maximum continuous tenure of any Congregant in the same Leadership Position shall be six years." This means a House Church leader's tenure is limited to six years. After serving your term, you are required to step down and take a sabbatical. The core intentions of the HC Leader Sabbatical are captured by the acronym REX.
**Rest.** God instructed us to rest because we need it. The sabbatical provides a chance for you to rest after serving and caring for your HC members for six years. Your seventh year is a dedicated time to pause, reflect, and recharge. **Elevate.** When you step down, you create room for others to step up. Knowing your term is limited also brings a healthy urgency to your role, encouraging you to be intentional about discipleship and raising up the next generation of leaders. **Explore.** This transition is an opportunity for you to explore a new House Church and discover other ministries that God may be calling you to join. **Returning to HC leading** You can return after a rest period of at least six months. The process is identical to becoming a new HC leader, starting with a nomination from your current HC leader. ## Stepping Down as an HC Leader To step down as a House Church Leader, follow these simple steps. 1. Pray for God's guidance and blessing. 2. Consult your co-leaders to get their support. 3. Consult the House Church pastor to discuss next steps and timeline. 4. Tell your House Church members about your decision and seek their blessing. This process ensures that everyone involved is respected and included in the transition. The final step is to remove yourself from the HCL WhatsApp group and say your goodbyes. Most people do this at the end of the term or season. **Sample Message** > Hey everyone, > > I just want to say how much I've enjoyed being part of this group. It's been a great experience, but I'll be stepping down as a House Church leader to focus on other things God is leading me toward. Thank you all for your support and friendship. Wishing you the best as you continue on this journey together. God bless! ## Leading Lent **Get the app** Download the *ONE Hearing the Word* app for Apple, Android, or the web version. In the app, select Solomon's Porch Hong Kong as your church, then select the current Lent season to follow along. **Preparing your Lent message** Check the Lent schedule to confirm when and what you will be speaking on. Spend a few minutes in silence to prepare your heart and mind. Ask God to highlight a word or phrase as you read the passage, then reflect in silence on that word or phrase after reading. To dig deeper, read the devotional in the ONE app and explore commentaries for context, such as Blue Letter Bible. Focus your message on what God revealed to you. Use research to support, not dominate, your message. Include application by asking how the verse applies to life today and what we should do with it. To connect well, be honest and relatable, and use other Bible verses, personal stories, or examples. Plan for 15 to 20 minutes, including reading the verse. **Lent rundown** Roles include an AV Person, a Speaker who is the HC leader, and a Worship Leader. For speaking, open with a prayer at 7:10 AM, introduce and read the verses, then share your devotional and finish by 7:30 AM. For worship, invite the worship leader to begin, then share a prayer focus or reflection based on the devotion. For prayer, a staff member will transition from worship and lead the prayer time. ## Prophetic Exercises **Wheel of names** Use wheelofnames.com to randomly select someone without revealing who it is. Everyone gives a prophetic word for the chosen person, without knowing their identity. Afterward, ask the group if anyone thought they were the receiver, then reveal who was chosen. Have two people pray for the receiver. **Prophesy over your ministry** The leader gives a brief teaching or reminder on how to prophesy. Record the prophetic words using a phone, with the person sharing holding the phone and speaking into it. Give everyone up to a minute to receive a word. Once ready, they should grab the phone and start sharing. There should be no repeating of words. If someone already gave that word, ask for a new one. Remember to send the recording to the ministry leader afterward. **Drawing** Provide pens and a blank piece of paper for each member, with a tiny initial of a different HC member written on each sheet, small enough that it isn't noticeable. Randomly hand out the papers. Instruct the group to spend five minutes prophetically drawing a picture and receiving its interpretation, without knowing who it's for. Begin by praying and inviting the Holy Spirit to guide the process. After five minutes, reveal the initials on the paper. Members will then share their drawing and interpretation with the person whose initials are on the sheet, and receive feedback. **Left or right** Open with prayer and give everyone up to a minute to receive a word. Reveal that the word is for the person sitting to their right. Take turns sharing the word with that person and receive feedback. ## Thanksgiving Stipend Thanksgiving 2025 falls on Thursday, November 27. As the holiday approaches, we encourage your House Church to come together for a time of reflection, gratitude, and unity. To support this, SP is offering financial assistance of up to $150 per HC member. * To be eligible for reimbursement, your Thanksgiving meal must take place between November 17 and December 7. * Your HC can claim up to $150 per HC member who attends the dinner. Children and guests are not eligible for the stipend. * The deadline to submit claims is December 14. Submit your claims through the form linked in the HCL Resources section. If your HC is small, consider joining another HC for a joint celebration. **FAQ** *Can we have our Thanksgiving meal at a restaurant?* No. Thanksgiving should be celebrated in someone's home, with a host, and a time for sharing thankfulness. It's often a potluck. *Do we have to serve turkey?* If you can't get a turkey, consider something like hoisin duck or a roast pig, something that sets it apart from a regular HC dinner and captures the spirit of Thanksgiving. Turkey is ideal though, since it's a traditional Thanksgiving dish, and some members may have never tried it. ## HCL Resources There are three main resources available to you. 1. **This HCL Manual.** 2. **The HCL and Staff WhatsApp Group.** If you have any questions for the chat, the staff and other HC leaders can answer. The Group Info has a lot of key information, including the discussion sheet link, HC season dates, All Sons and HCL meeting dates, and HC Leader's Links. 3. **Your Cluster Leader.** Every HC is assigned a Cluster Leader to support and help the leaders. ## Retreat Sponsorships When it comes to sponsorship requests within your HC, take the time to understand why someone is asking for support. This helps you discern the legitimacy of the request and also allows you to better understand their situation and heart. There are typically two reasons someone might seek sponsorship. 1. **They genuinely cannot afford it.** In this case, it's an opportunity for the HC to step in and reflect Christ's love by supporting one another. 2. **They can afford it but don't feel it's worth the cost.** In this situation, it would be awkward to ask the HC to contribute. Instead, our role is to lovingly help them see the value of our Annual Retreat. Once a year, we have this opportunity to step away, gather as a whole church family, and dedicate three full days to seeking God together. It's a time of renewal, connection, and spiritual growth. If they still don't see the value, that is their choice, much like the rich young ruler, who didn't take Jesus's invitation because at the time he didn't think it was worth the cost. Follow these sponsorship request steps. 1. **Contribute what you can.** Encourage those in need to pray and decide what they can contribute. This helps foster a sense of ownership and commitment to the retreat. 2. **House Church support.** Once the individual shares how much they can contribute, share the remaining need with the rest of the HC group, allowing members to support through generosity. HCLs are simply facilitators and are not expected to personally raise the funds. 3. **Collect and update.** After collecting contributions, the funds will be given to the finance team with the recipient's name. If there's still a shortfall, the sponsorship fund will cover the rest. Any extra funds will be added to the sponsorship pool. By following these steps, we can ensure that financial challenges don't prevent anyone from attending the retreat, and give your HC an opportunity to respond in love and generosity. ### Sample Message > Hi HC, > > Our annual retreat is coming up on *\[Retreat Date]*, and sign ups are now open. The early bird rate is *\[Retreat Price]* until *\[Early Bird Deadline]*. For more details, visit [www.sphk.org](http://www.sphk.org). > > Don't let finances stop you from joining. We really hope everyone can come. It's going to be an amazing time to connect with God and each other. As a community, we will also be supporting one another through sponsorships. > > If you need financial help, please pray and consider how much you can contribute, and let me know before *\[Early Bird Deadline]*. We understand it can be hard to ask for help, but remember, God provides, and this gives others the chance to bless you. > > If you are able to help financially, please pray about how you can give. You can either decide on an amount or contribute based on the total need. Let me know how you'd like to help. > > If you have any questions, feel free to reach out. > > God Bless, *\[Your Name]* ### Registration time Make sure they register during the Early Bird period so their required sponsorship stays at the lower rate. Registration is at sphk.fillout.com/retreat. ### Proof of payment Registration requires an uploaded proof of payment. Have them use the image provided by the finance team in place of the usual transfer receipt. ## Cluster Leader Role ### Description This role is for those who have completed six years as a House Church leader and have a heart for pastoral care and building relationships. As a Cluster Leader, you support and guide HC leaders by sharing your experience and offering mentorship. You walk alongside HC leaders, providing encouragement and practical advice. You also visit the house churches in your cluster, gaining insight into their challenges and helping them grow spiritually. ### Requirements * Completed six years as a House Church leader. * Strong pastoral and relational skills. ### Role Support and guide HC leaders. ### Expectations * Oversee two to three house churches. * Meet with each HC at least three times a year. * Meet in person with each HC leader at least once. * Visit house churches in your cluster. * Organize a group gathering for all HC leaders in your cluster. * Stay in touch with HC leaders through video or phone calls. * Attend HC Leader Meetings, held three times a year including the Sunday before the HC term starts, and the Cluster Leader Meeting, held once a year at the start of the HC season.