The Village Micro Church Network is a group of small/home churches that associate with each other, allowing leaders to connect for prayer, mutual accountability, encouragement, coaching, development, leadership questions, and advice.
Each micro church is aligned with the Village Church mission to see people transformed into fully devoted followers of Jesus and typically uses content in teaching, group curriculum, and music.
WHAT IS A
MICRO CHURCH?
God has, is, and will continue to use all styles and sizes of churches to accomplish his purposes – small churches, community churches, multi-site churches, megachurches, and micro or home churches.
What a person or family gravitates towards being part of depends on faith background, upbringing, lived experience, conviction, opinion, assumptions, friends, emotion, and many other factors that can often shift over a lifetime.
Although we are using the term “micro”, it is simply a contemporary word for the original form of how churches in the New Testament met – in homes. The first house church is recorded in Act 1:13 where the disciples met together in the upper room of a house. 1 Corinthians 16:19 references the church meeting in Aqulia and Prisca’s home. In Laodecia or Hieiropolis, Nympha offered her house for the church to meet in (Colossians 4:15), while the church in Colossae met in Apphia and Archippus’ house (Philemon 2).
A micro church is fundamentally no different than any other biblically-based local church.
healthy church is where the participants focus on loving God, the Word, and each other, reaching the lost, making disciples, and loving the Body of Christ.
It is a group of Christians who regularly gather in Jesus’ name to worship, be exhorted from the Word of God, preach the gospel, celebrate the ordinances, encourage, and serve the Lord, each other, the local community, and beyond – all under duly appointed leaders.
It is the intersection of a whole-life commitment to worship, community, and local impact.
Worship. Not just music or singing praise to or about God, but the teaching/study, hearing, and response to his Word, bringing about change and transformation.
Community. Relationship, discipleship, and care for one another in the pursuit of being fully devoted followers of Jesus.
Local Mission. The care for those outside the church – the lost, the poor, the marginalized, the disenchanted, the skeptic – helping with various needs and pointing to the Saviour.
In the Village Church contex, our mission is to see people transformed into fully devoted followers of Jesus. We live that purpose out by prioritizing three things: Gospel, Community, and Culture.
WHAT DOES A MICRO CHURCH LOOK LIKE?
A micro church is a group of 8-20 followers of Jesus who gather regularly and are the church (do the work of the church) in their community. They typically meet in a home, but not exclusively. There are examples of some who meet in the back of a warehouse, in a fitness gym, or a pub before it opens – essentially a time and place that works.
They are more flexible and fluid. They are not program-driven but offer what makes sense and is possible with the people/families involved. They do not require buildings or as much organization and administration, with low expenses and usually no paid staff/support.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A COMMUNITY GROUP AND A MICRO CHURCH?
A community group is one of many groups in a local church where the group leaders are an extension and come under the authority of the elders and pastors. The local church, made up of those groups and others, gathers together each weekend in larger corporate gatherings. A micro church is a self-contained, independent group of believers that are, in and of themselves, doing the work that marks it as a church.
A community group typically meets around a Bible study or series to discuss, explore, and grow in faith and understanding, contributing to discipleship and transformation. Equally important, groups provide connection, a place to share difficulties, celebrate wins, pray for each other, be accountable, and enjoy hospitality and socialization. These aspects overlap with a micro church function, but several other elements that mark a church are missing from a community group.
Often, micro churches break off into two or three smaller groups during the week, too. This is encouraged for a more specific prayer time, discipleship, and accountability. Examples include meeting around a particular passion or local mission focus, mom’s group, men/women in business over an early morning breakfast, place of work, etc.
Things to watch for and avoid in a micro church
A common pitfall to avoid is pride. Micro churches are not the panacea for today’s ailing church, but one of the many approaches God is using for Kingdom expansion today. There should never be an exclusive attitude.
Conversely, micro churches don’t carry an inferiority complex or a motivation to be bigger to someday be a “real church”. They know they are a church already and think about how they can multiply leaders and start more micro churches. Or, as they grow and if they choose, start meeting outside a home and evolving into a small church.
Another hidden danger is developing an independent and isolationist spirit. Micro churches can sometimes attract those who do not want to come under spiritual authority because they believe they can do their own thing without answering to anyone. This kind of independent spirit can divide any church – micro to mega.
Micro churches can fall into the trap of heresy if they are exclusive and unwilling to work with or listen to others. All this can be avoided by being accountable to other leaders in a micro church network.
A micro church is not a group of friends that have been together for years and have not grown or changed. It’s not a social club or breakfast/supper club. A healthy micro church can’t be ingrown with people who have forgotten how to reach out to others.
A micro church must guard against forming a church because people may be hurt, disillusioned, or bitter toward another church. They know and appreciate that every church is a complementary expression of the body of Christ. Unwholesome conversations that revolve around criticism of other churches or leaders should never be what brings us together. God does not bless a church that is planted out of division, bitterness, or unforgiveness. People joining should be challenged to resolve issues or mend broken relationships from previous church experiences as best they can before joining any new church.
WHY A NETWORK?
A network allows leaders to connect for prayer, mutual accountability, encouragement, coaching, development, leadership questions, advice on specific situations, etc.
Every church has strengths and weaknesses related to its size. History shows that one of the tendencies a micro church has to resist is becoming insular or isolated.
It is analogous to schooling and education. Parents today have a choice of public, private, or homeschooling – all of which can work equally well depending on the circumstances and context. The biggest challenge with homeschooling, as shared by the homeschooling community, is the limited social interaction with peers. This can be addressed when the parent(s) connect their family with a homeschooling network or support group that comes together physically and online.
The same is true with a micro church network. The leaders of micro churches can meet together regularly in person or online. Micro churches in a particular area can meet occasionally for corporate worship and interpersonal connections. This all helps in preventing exclusivity. Churches stay healthy when connected with other churches that share the same basic biblical vision and values. Healthy micro churches will network.
What Does Being Part of the Village Micro Church Network Require?
Affirmation of leader. A Zoom or in-person interview is held by two Village Church senior leaders along with two ministry or character references.
Agreement with Statement of Faith. The leader/team must agree to Village Church’s Statement of Faith.
Missional Intention. The leader/team affirms that the primary motive for starting a micro church is to be missional towards their community.
A basic understanding of Village Church. The leader/team completes the “This is Village Church” online course to understand the Village Church history, methodology, and mission.
Attendance. At least eight committed people are already meeting together. If the group has not started meeting yet, use Ben Connelly’s A Field Guide for Genuine Community as a starting point.
Availability. Although micro churches are independent, the leader/team will be available for a quarterly Network session online with other micro church leaders and Village Church hosting.
What the Village Micro Church Network Provides…
Quarterly Network Meetups
Micro church leaders in the Network come together for encouragement, coaching, mutual accountability, and prayer.
Sermon file options
Cinema file – access to a private weekly file containing worship/music and sermon. Shot and framed for a large screen or home cinema.
Service file – access is available via YouTube.
Community Group Materials
Access to curriculum that tracks with the weekly sermon content.
Village Kids Content
Access to online content for three different age groups: Preschool, K-Grade 3, and Grades 4 & 5. Recommendations on alternative children and youth curriculum.
Jr. Youth Content
Access to online content geared for Grades 6 to 8.
Web presence
The micro church information is provided in a general way on the Village Micro Church Network website. Provides basic information, city, and a way to contact the primary leader.
What the Village Micro Church Network Does Not Provide…
The micro church is an independent entity where Village Church or the Micro Church Network has no governing authority, legal ties/responsibility or liability. They are not a Village “church plant”. Village Church facilitates/hosts the coming together (network) of like-minded micro churches and their respective leaders to assist in growing, learning, and developing together. Here are some further clarifying points:
Kids Curriculum
Due to licensing restrictions, Village Church does not directly provide childcare resources or curriculum. Village Church can point the micro church to available resources.
Branding and Marketing
Village Church does not provide marketing or communication resources to the micro church.
Funding
The micro church is responsible for gathering support as a self-sufficient group. Village Church has no financial or operational partnership with the micro church.
Insurance and liabilities
The micro church is responsible for investigating and ensuring they are covered for any accidents or other liabilities in the context of their meeting and location.
Database, licenses or subscriptions
The micro church does not have access to the Village Church database, systems, or operational programs. However, we are happy to recommend solutions as they arise.
THE PRACTICAL ASPECTS OF A MICRO CHURCH
Micro churches typically consist of 8 to 25 individuals, with 10 to 15 often considered an ideal size.
These gatherings occur in various locations, primarily homes, offering flexibility in scheduling—though Sunday is common, meetings can be held on any day of the week. Some groups convene biweekly, alternating with outreach or missional endeavors. With a focus on simplicity, sessions last around 60 to 90 minutes, followed by a period of communal sharing, often accompanied by a meal.
What about children?
Approaches to accommodating families vary. Some prioritize inclusive experiences, ensuring that all members, including children, participate together throughout the gathering. Others adopt a hybrid model, welcoming children for a portion of the meeting before engaging them in separate activities elsewhere in the venue. Alternatively, some opt to have a ‘babysitter’ to oversee children’s needs. The preferred strategy often involves a rotational system, where individuals take turns implementing a structured curriculum, promoting intentionality and organization. Adhering to guidelines such as Plan to Protect, which advocate for two supervisors when children are out of adults’ sight, ensures safety. Some micro churches intentionally do not offer children’s ministries, catering to demographics like seniors, singles, young adults, and empty nesters, fostering a diverse and inclusive community.
WHAT HAPPENS IN THE GATHERING?
Micro churches typically consist of 8 to 25 individuals, with 10 to 15 often considered an ideal size.
Worship
Village Church provides engaging music that leads people in singing to and about many aspects of the triune God. Alternatively, if there are gifted leaders/musicians, they can lead live from keys or guitar – as long as that giftedness is affirmed by the group.
Prayer
Celebrating who God is and what Jesus has done for us, as well as praying for the needs of the church, surrounding community, and beyond.
Testimonies
Sharing of how God worked this week. Stories of impact, change, and needs. This is not a laundry list of personal problems, relational issues, etc. Those can be shared and prayed for in a small group setting.
Teaching
Village provides world-class, biblically-grounded preaching from a preaching team that encourages and challenges. Someone with a teaching gift, affirmed by the church, may also preach at times.
Time of Response
A time of response for discussion, prayer, and sharing impact.
Communion
A time to remember him in his death, burial, and resurrection – often every week but at least once per month.
Announcements
Talk about what is happening this week and into the future with events, small group meetups, impact in the community, etc.
Gathering Guidelines
Baptisms
For new believers and those who have not taken this step of obedience.
Parent-Child dedications
Take the opportunity to affirm families with newborn and young children to show your support for them as parents as they raise their children in the discipline and instruction of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4).
Leadership
Each micro church has its own leadership of two or three people, strong in prayer, humble, shepherd’s heart and having a character outlined in Titus 1:5-9, 1 Timothy 3:1-7, and 1 Peter 5:1-4. It is also a good opportunity to have assistant leader(s) in training.
Finances
Any giving for specific purposes/needs/expenses is managed and accounted for by a designated treasurer within a dedicated church bank account. These gifts will not receive a tax receipt unless the specific church has its own charitable status with the CRA.
Nearly all micro church leaders have a job or business that supports them. This makes funds available to prayerfully distribute to the needy in their church and community and to local or global needs.
Tax-receiptable gifts to Village Church are welcome – who is providing coaching, network connections, weekly sermon content, music/worship content, weekly kids/youth content, weekly community group curriculum, web presence, etc.
- Maintain order.
- Minimize interruptions.
- One person should never dominate the gathering.
- Be flexible and, creative.
- Fun, informal, relational, easy to make adjustments.
Interested in starting a Micro Church?
Recommended Reading
Larry Kreider, Micro Church Networks: A Church for a New Generation, House to House Publications (2020)
Brian Sanders, Microchurches: A Smaller Way, UG Media (updated 2022)
Ben Connelly, A Field Guide for Genuine Community, Moody Press (2021)
Brian Sanders, Underground Church, Zondervan (2018)
Ralph Moore, How Nearly Anyone Can Start a Microchurch: Plant a Church Without Leaving Your Job, Exponential (2022)