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"Focusing only on those who attend some kind of church (which I recall is about 43 percent of us), 74 percent of them attend only a traditional church, 19 percent attend both a traditional and a house church, and 5 percent are hard-core house church folks."

Define "house church." If it is truly akin to the first-century Christians, whose "house church" ceremonies were quite elaborate and included the Lord's Supper, fasting beforehand, scripture, and a homily/sermon, led by an ordained pastor/presbyter, I'm impressed.

If they are simply referring to Christian faith-sharing groups, I'm not at all. People have been meeting to discuss their faith and pray together since this country was born, and the fact that 9% of Americans now like to think of this form of gathering as "house churches" is completely meaningless. Given that 4 our of 5 "house church" attendees also attend weekly church services, this seems to be what they are talking about.

Any further information about how "house church" is defined would be greatly appreciated.

>If they are referring to Christian faith-sharing groups, I am not at all.<

I attend a fast growing Pentacostal Church (having been sorely disappointed in the antics of the Episcopal Church long ago) and our Pastor sticks purely to Biblical teachings. We also have house churches which meet once a week in small groups to discuss the prior Sunday's sermon and how it applies to each of our lives, our own concepts of it, prayer, worship and a short social time with refreshments afterward. We find this time very fulfilling, and an important part of our week.

Define "house church." If it is truly akin to the first-century Christians, whose "house church" ceremonies were quite elaborate and included the Lord's Supper, fasting beforehand, scripture, and a homily/sermon, led by an ordained pastor/presbyter, I'm impressed. What ever gave you the idea of early Christians having ceremonies, ordained pastors, sermons, etc.? Luther and company reformed much of the doctrine, but certainly didn't reform the practice of the church. What happened to the priesthood of all believers? We've gone from one pope to many popes (senior pastors). The self chosen few to lead the people. The Lord said, I myself will shepherd my people. We have one Father, and one mediator.

[ Any further information about how "house church" is defined would be greatly appreciated. ]

Biblically "church(gk)" does not mean building or organization(club).. The word church simply defines a gathering.. The real metaphor defining believers is "The Body of Christ".. not "church".. Not the body of christ that walked in Galilee but the Body of Christ that Jesus came to create, AND DID...

A church(gathering) can be in a home, park, or restaurant etc... i.e. "wherever 2 or 3 gather together in my name -Jesus".. like that..