Transformation Church International is a global family of house churches with a simple ecclesiology and structure for how our churches are organized, governed, and managed.
Decentralized Community
The early church didn't meet in large assembly halls like prominent businesses or government organizations. They operated in a simple structure, decentralized from a "holy building," priest roles, or a clear distinction between the professional clergy and the laity (all the lay/ordinary people). They met in house churches that were led by qualified, trained, commissioned, and appointed Elders, functioning as Pastors. Individuals are invited to be part of a spiritual family with a pastor that they were personally known and shepherded by. We've removed any other structures or programs that compete with participation in a house church, community, and discipleship.
Collaborative Community
House churches are similar to Small Groups or Bible Studies in some ways, but they're so much more in other ways. House churches are diverse, cross-generational gatherings of people who often share meals, help meet each other's needs, and help one another to grow in their faith and callings. Diversity may include ethnicity, age, spiritual maturity, gender, personal preferences, political preference, or socio-economical status. Unlike a small group, Bible study, or book study, they aren't just meeting for a semester or a few weeks to learn about a topic. House churches represent a diverse spiritual family seeking to hold each other accountable and do life together.
Common Oversight and Identity
The early church met in house churches but it was also accountable to the apostles and leaders of the church movement. There are many benefits of staying small while being part of and accountable to, a larger, united community. All our house churches are overseen by a common plurality of Senior Elders. This way, our house churches are supported by elders, given doctrinal and ecclesiological accountability, and live in community with other house churches, helping to ensure long-term health. A Church of house churches has much greater impact through its shared resources and networking that an isolated house church does not have on its own.
House Church Leadership and Qualifications
The early church didn't function like business or government organizations, led by a CEO and staff from the top-down. We empower all members of the church to participate in all functions of the church. However, all TC house churches are led by a qualified, trained, ordained, and empowered Overseer/Elder. They have primarily Pastoral gifts/duties (see Eph. 4:11), and likely use the title "Pastor," but they are an Overseer/Elder that meets the qualifications listed in 1 Tim. 3:1-7; Tit. 1:5-9; 1 Pet. 5:1-4. This TC house church pastor is responsible for overseeing the community, preaching, teaching, discipleship, counseling, training, benevolence, and discipline within their house church. They are also responsible for performing baptisms, weddings, funerals, hospital visits, etc. for those in their house church. TC house churches have a plurality of elders, at minimum, two: a TC Pastoral Coach designated by TC corporate, and a reference chosen by the house church pastor during launch that will vouch for them and help hold them accountable. TC house churches may also have a secondary role (deacon), that assist the pastor with his leadership responsibilities. They must fulfill the qualifications of a deacon (1 Tim. 3:8-13; Rom. 16:1; Phil. 1:1). For more see also Heb. 13:17; 1 Pet. 5:5; Acts 6:3-4, 20:28; 1 Tim. 4:6-13, 5:17-22.
Gender Roles in Church Ministry
Men and women are created equal, and are equally called and gifted by the Holy Spirit, but they have different roles in marriage, parenting, home, and in the church. God's Word alone determines the nature and extent of these roles. It teaches that God reserved to men the role of Overseer/Governing Elder, and primary responsibility for preaching and teaching God’s Word at corporate gatherings of men and women. This does not mean women cannot teach; it means that the male Overseers are responsible for what is taught. This is the only restriction we place on women. We do not prohibit women from praying, prophesying, reading Scripture, teaching, leading worship, leading communion, or participating in any other expressions of public ministry. Both men and women may be ordained as deacons in TC and serve with leadership responsibilities. We permit and encourage husband and wife teams co-shepherding a TC house church, provided she submits to her husband as head of their marriage, household, and overseer of the church. We see an example of a married pastoral team with Priscilla and Aquilla (Rom. 16:3-5; 1 Cor. 16:19; Acts 18:26). We also encourage overseers to empower women with even greater pastoral care leadership responsibilities over the women, children, and administration (Tit. 2:3-5). For more see: Acts 1:21-23; 6:3-4; 1 Tim. 3:1-2, 2:11-14; Tit. 1:5-6; Rom. 16:1; 1 Cor. 11:3). See also our Beliefs page section, "Women in Ministry — Equal in dignity, gifted for ministry, ordered by Scripture," and "Women in Church Leadership — Important but with restrictions," for more info.
Universal Accountability
We expect all TC house church pastors and members to have the highest standards of moral behavior. Everyone is accountable to everyone else, even the house church pastor, who is also accountable to their other elders and our Senior Elder Leadership. If you're sinned against by another member, or know they are living in sin, follow Matthew 18:15-17. All concerns are to be investigated and disciplined accordingly, especially those with multiple witnesses or corroborating evidence. Don't assume everything is good. Don't ignore your perceptions or gut feelings. Bring everything into the light and tell those in authority. Be a safe space that encourages sharing concerns without judgment. Lean into uncomfortable conversations, communicate concerns, ask questions, and discuss openly. It's essential for the health of our churches. See 1 Cor. 5:12-13; Gal. 6:1; Jam. 5:19-20; 1 Tim. 5:19-21; Eze. 33:11.
House Church Pastor Qualifications and Oversight
In addition to meeting the biblical qualifications for Elder above, all TC house church pastors are:
- UPFRONT QUALIFICATIONS
- Educated — In addition to any additional training they may have, at a bare minimum they've completed our Certification in House Church Pastorship at Empowered365 Ministry Academy, after completing 500-hours of training in biblical studies, theology, pastoral care, and church development. This certification program also thoroughly trains pastors through all of our specific Beliefs, Values, and Governance guidelines.
- Ordained — They are ordained with Transformation Church International by completing the ordination add-on in Empowered365 Ministry Academy (both pastor and deacon are available). They've personally agreed to our beliefs and moral standards, provided references, and had a virtual interview with members of our board.
- Authorized — They submitted a detailed application covering their personal and spiritual history, verified their identity, signed legal paperwork, were manually approved, and recognized as an official TC house church.
- ONGOING OVERSIGHT
- They agree to their members' right and responsibility to report any concerns about their church to us. TC house churches are autonomous but not without oversight or accountability. (see "Universal Accountability" section).
- They provide at least one person, functioning as an elder (or at least a deacon) in their church, that they maintain an active relationship with and will be accountable to (whom we may contact with concerns or disciplinary action).
- They maintain regular accountability with their assigned TC Pastoral Coach, routinely submit church+member status update reports to them, and schedule counseling (as needed) to prevent or catch issues early. The official TC Pastoral Coach is considered an elder of their church and bridges the gap between their church and TCI.
- They maintain an active TC house church, which includes donating a percentage of their church's giving to TCI, and faithful attendance in monthly group coaching with their TC Pastoral Coach, Senior Elder Team, and other TC house church pastors. They agree to be radically authentic with our leadership team, and to discuss their personal lives and church situations (which helps them remain connected, accountable, and healthy).
Legal and Organizational Clarification
TC house churches are spiritually affiliated with Transformation Church International through shared beliefs, values, governance, training, recognition, and oversight. However, local TC house churches are not separate legal entities of Transformation Church International unless specifically established as such in writing. TC house church pastors and volunteers are not employees, agents, partners, or legal representatives of Transformation Church International or MPowered Christian Ministries Inc. They have no authority to act on behalf of our organization or bind it to any obligations. By participating in a TC house church, you acknowledge this and agree to release Transformation Church International, MPowered Christian Ministries Inc, and all of its employees, contractors, or partners, from any and all liability for injury, illness, death, property damage or loss, financial obligation, loss of privacy, loss of reputation, and all other consequences, regardless of cause. If you believe any TC house church pastor is involved in illegal or immoral activity contact us immediately so we may take appropriate action.
This outline of our ecclesiology, polity, and governance does not exhaust the extent of our beliefs and practices regarding these matters. The Bible itself, as the inspired and infallible Word of God, speaks with final authority concerning truth, morality, and the proper conduct of mankind, and it is the sole and final source of all the church governance that we hold to. For purposes of Transformation Church’s faith, doctrine, practice, policy, and discipline, our Governing Board of Elders is the final interpretive authority on the Bible’s meaning and application.