DEAR STARFISH READER !

Please enjoy this latest issue of The Starfish Files. May it be

instructive and inspiring, and may it ignite you into action as
you fulfill your God-given role in the emerging house church
movement across Canada.

Picture yourself taking a trip across this land on a spiritual

trans-Canada highway that stretches from Vancouver Island
in the west to Prince Edward Island in the east.

Every hour or so, you can stop and visit a dynamic and
missional group of believers that meets in homes, coffee
shops, board rooms, and almost anywhere imaginable.

The goal of The Starfish Files is to relationally link the house

churches and networks across Canada for greater missional
impact on our cities, regions, and nation.

Although “hard copies” and e-copies are basically free

for the asking, the magazine requires the talents and
finances of folks like you!

Thanks for considering how you can get involved!

Rad Zdero
Editor, The Starfish Files

CONTRIBUTE YOUR SKILLS (check all that apply)

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 FALL 2009
No.6

Canada’s House Church Magazine

The Anatomy of Church

Planting Movements
Kickin’ It Old School
with Roland Allen

NATIONAL HOUSE CHURCH NEWS

THE GOSPEL OF LENIN?
STARFISH FILES
3
 SPAWNING THE
HOUSE CHURCH
REVOLUTION
The Mission?
3 The Anatomy of Church
Planting Movements
by Rad Zdero
To see the kingdom of God established in our cities, regions, and

7
nation, by linking arms as a relational, intentional, and missional StARFISH STATS
network of house churches, that develop and deploy every believer
in Christ as they impact others.

The Starfish Files?

Starfish line the shores of the world’s beaches. Chop off an arm,
and a new one grows to take its place. Tear a starfish in half, and
8 CROSS CANADA CHECK-UP:
House church news across the country
you’ll soon have two starfish on your hands. A torn-off limb can
even become a brand new starfish. And what’s more, they populate
by releasing hundreds of thousands, and sometimes millions, of
eggs in just a few hours. Just like the house church movement
through the ages. An estimated 300,000 new house churches have
started between 1998 and 2006. And this doesn’t include what’s
10 REACHING STUDENTS FOR
CHRIST: A REPORT
BY Terry Maclean

11
happening in China, which has about 80 to 100 million believers
involved. It’s also taking root in Canada. Enter The Starfish Files.
The magazine’s goal is to inspire, inform, and interconnect the
ACTION paGE
house church networks across Canada and beyond. BY ROB ROSS

12
The Team?
Editor, Rad Zdero, rzdero@yahoo.ca IS THERE GOOD DOCTRINE IN
Designer, Jason Stacey, yellowcanarydesign.com
Print Producer, Kyle Bultman, synkros.org THE HOUSE? PART 1
BY Gord Coulson
Submissions?

12 Field Report from India’s

Send your writings, suggestions, and photos to Rad Zdero (editor),
c/o The Starfish Files, P.O. Box 39528, Lakeshore P.O., Mississauga,
ON, Canada, L5G-4S6, or by email to rzdero@yahoo.ca. Harvest FieldS
BY Victor Choudhrie
Financial Donations?
Non-tax deductible cheques can be made out to “The Starfish
Network” with “Starfish Files” in memo line and sent to the address
above. 13 Billy Blockman Live!

14
Print Run and Electronic Copies?
Intended publication is 3 or 4 times per year—winter, spring, Kickin’ It Old School
summer, and/or fall. A limited but growing print run is available ...with Roland Allen
for each issue. Electronic versions are available free online at
www.housechurch.ca (in “Resources” section) and
www.starfishnetworkconference.org.
The Gospel of Lenin?
15 By Rad Zdero

STARFISH FILES
2
 THE ANATOMY OF
CHURCH PLANTING MOVEMENTS

By RaD ZDERO
Rad earned his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering with a specialization in bio-
mechanics and bio-materials. He is the director of a hospital-based research
group and has been involved in the house church and small group movement
since 1985. He is the author of The Global House Church Movement (2004) and
Entopia: Revolution of the Ants (2008), as well as being the editor of Nexus: The
World House Church Movement Reader (2007) and The Starfish Files magazine.
He lives just outside Toronto (Canada) and can be reached at rzdero@yahoo.ca

Franciscans, Anabaptists, Quakers, CPMs have been well documented

the GOD of HISTORY Methodists, and Brethren. They saw in E.H. Broadbent’s The Pilgrim
God has often shaped the last 2000
many thousands of people changed Church (1931), John Driver’s Radical
years of history through church
and reconciled back to God in their Faith: An Alternative History of
planting movements (CPMs), mainly
generation. the Christian Church (1999), Peter
through simple, grassroots, small
Today, CPMs are everywhere. In Bunton’s Cell Groups and House
groups and house churches. A CPM
China, the church has grown from Churches: What History Teaches
is a rapid multiplication of churches
1 to 2 million believers in 1949 to Us (2001), David Garrison’s Church
planting churches over a sustained
almost 100 million believers today Planting Movements (2004), and my
period of time.
in underground house churches. In own book Nexus: The World House
A CPM is not just another man-
India, over 100,000 house churches Church Movement Reader (2007).
made tactic or trend. It is, in fact,
have been started between 2001 I want to briefly remind us about
God’s work. And its purpose is to see
and 2006. In the USA, Church some vital elements often mentioned
people come to a saving encounter
Multiplication Associates recently by students of CPMs. But, I also wish
with Jesus Christ, grow in spiritual
planted 1000 simple churches in 7 to point out other factors that are
maturity, and then become change
short years at home and abroad. In almost never discussed in this regard.
agents for God.
Latin America, the Basic Christian Everything in the world has a shape,
The past is filled with stories
Communities started in the 1960s a geometry, an anatomy—and so do
of CPMs as people let go (to one
among the marginalized and have CPMs. I believe we must seriously
degree or another) of the trappings
grown to 1 million groups by 2007. consider and prayerfully implement
of religious institutions to grab hold
Past and present CPMs have been the following 10 factors to see God’s
of a living breathing Christianity.
analyzed with modern research grand purposes accomplished in
Some of these movements include
tools to discover key elements for our generation through our simple,
the Monastics, Lollards, Waldenses,
high-quality rapid church growth. organic, house churches.

3 FALL 2009

1. THE BIG PICTURE
Some house churches wander about
aimlessly. They have no direction and
make no real impact. Some realize this
is a problem, while others wrongly take
pride in this and even mistake it for
being “Spirit-led.” But, there is a better
way! House churches that wish to thrive,
grow, multiply, and make a difference
must be captivated by a bigger vision
beyond themselves.
The Bible tells us that “where there
is no vision, the people perish” (Prov
29:18 KJV) and “except the Lord build
the house, they labour in vain that build
it” (Ps 127:1 KJV). Certainly, the early
church was often directed supernaturally
in the moment before taking action (Acts
8:26-40, 10:1-48, 13:1-4). But, it was the
Great Commission “mission statement”
of Jesus that gave the apostles a clear
mandate for all they did in those early
years (Mt 28:18-20; Mk 16:15-16; Lk
24:46-49; Jn 20:21-23; Acts 1:8).
As house churches today, therefore,
we must get hold of what God is saying
to us before we launch out. We must get
the “big picture” of God’s main purpose
for us locally, regionally, and globally. Let
us pray, fast, recieve God’s supernatural
power, watch the circumstances,
discern our contexts, talk together, set
measurable goals, and even craft mission
statements.
2. THE RIGHT D.N.A.
Some house churches are unbalanced.
They are strong in some things and weak
in others. Instead of seeking to grow in
their areas of weakness, they continue
to operate only in their strengths. But,
there is a better way! House churches
that wish to be vibrant must have the
right D.N.A., as noted by Neil Cole of
Church Multiplication Associates.
“D” refers to Divine Truth and
should include Bible study and allow
for prophetic words, dreams, visions,
miracles, and godly counsel. “N” stands
for Nurturing Relationships and
should involve honesty, affection, and
practically doing life together. “A” means
Apostolic Mission and should include
reaching out in word and deed to family,
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4
friends, neighbours, workmates, and
strangers. The early church had a good
measure of the “D”, the “N”, and the “A”
(Acts 2:41-47).
As house churches today, therefore, we
must be brutally honest with ourselves
and take stock of whether we have the
right D.N.A. for God to work through
us. The D.N.A. should not be unraveled,
but should be fully present within each
individual believer, each house church,
and each network of house churches.
3. AN ARMY OF LEADERS
Some house churches reject the whole
issue of leadership because they feel
that Christ alone is the ultimate leader
of their group or because they have
been hurt by institutional leaders in the
We must
get the “big
picture” of
God’s main
purpose for
us locally,
regionally,
and globally.
past. But, there is a better way! House
churches must look to the Scriptures and
the Spirit to allow for the emergence of
God-given leaders in their midst.
The early apostles certainly
encouraged all believers to use their
abilities (1 Pet 2:5-9; 1 Cor 12:1-31 and
14:1-40). But, they also implemented
two main types of leaders, namely, local
“elders” (Acts 14:23, 1 Tim 3:1-7; Tit 1:5-9;
1 Pet 5:1-5) and translocal “apostles” (Act
13:1-4, 15:6; Eph 4:11) to equip the church
and reach the world.
As house churches today, therefore,
we must encourage the emergence
of healthy leaders. Micro leaders (or
“elders”) are unpaid spiritual moms and
dads who nurture, train, and empower
believers in their house church. Macro
leaders (or “apostles”) are pioneers
and strategists who start new house
churches, adopt existing ones, link them
together into networks, and then move
on to repeat the process.
4. NETWORKS
Some house churches are utterly isolated
due to circumstances. They soon become
ingrown and irrelevant and eventually
implode. Isolated groups simply do not
work. Others create formal organizations
that “brand” their house churches just
like denominations with their various
branch churches. And they will not
work closely with others because they
are of a different “brand”. Even worse,
some house churches refuse to work
with other house churches in the same
town because of competition, limited
vision, or petty differences. But, there is
a better way! House churches that want
to be fruitful must link arms with others
nearby, relationally but cohesively.
The early house churches partnered
together as citywide networks in
Jerusalem (Acts 2:41-47), Rome (Rom
16:3-15), and Ephesus (Acts 20:17,20),
and as a regional network in Asia Minor
(2 and 3 Jn; Rev 2 and 3). They were
linked through leaders meetings (Acts
15:6, 20:17), large group events (Acts
2:44, 5:12, 20:20), apostolic visits (Acts
14:23, 15:36; 3 Jn 1:5-8), and apostolic
letters (Acts 15:22-23).
As house churches today, therefore,
we must form relational, but cohesive,
networks with others close-by in our
cities and regions. Face-to-face cross-
pollination allows us to pool resources,
share experiences, permit accountability,
engage in training, meet our own social
needs, and impact an entire city or
region. We can accomplish far more
together than we can apart.
5. MONEY AND RESOURCES
Some house churches have abandoned
giving money or resources to mission.
Because they rightly believe that 10%
tithing is not a New Testament practice,

they wrongly conclude they do not need
to give at all. Consequently, many things
God wants accomplished get delayed.
But, there is a better way! House
churches that wish to make a difference
must take the locks off their wallets and
give generously to God’s mission.
The early Christians were taught
to give gladly. There were two groups
of people they mainly gave money and
resources to, namely, those in dire need
(Acts 2:44-45, 4:32-35; 1 Cor 16:1-3; 2 Cor
9:1-15) and apostolic workers (Lk 10:7-8;
1 Cor 9:1-18; Philip 4:10-20).
As house churches today, therefore,
we must ask God where he wants us to
give. Each house church or network
should do several practical things. They
should give money to their own bank
account or money bag. They should
circulate amongst themselves good
teaching resources such as books and
videos. They should help the poor and
destitute locally and abroad. They should
give finances to apostles and apostolic
projects that help house churches learn,
grow, multiply, and connect.
6. CULTURAL CONTEXT
Some house churches are completely
uninterested in (or unaware of ) the
economic, religious, philosophical,
linguistic, political, artistic, and
technological factors that shape their
culture. So, their attempts at impacting
non-believers and reaching church
drop-outs are ineffective. But, there is
a better way! House churches that want
to influence people must be students of,
and participants in, mainstream culture
(except, of course, without sinning).
The early Christians related the good
news of Jesus using culturally relevant
methods (1 Cor 9:19-23). To fellow Jews,
Peter would retell the familiar story of
God’s dealings with the people of Israel
and how Jesus was the fulfillment of
that drama (Acts 2:14-41, 3:11-26). To
philosophical Athenians, Paul felt free to
quote from pagan religious inscriptions
and poets to make his argument (Acts
17:16-34). Jesus, too, told simple stories
about daily life to ordinary people (Mt
13:1-52), while debating theology with
religious leaders (Mk 12:13-40).
As house churches today, therefore, we
must engage society in relevant ways and
live lifestyles that others can relate to.
Have we seen the latest popular movie?
Do we know about the economic issues
shaping our day? Have we studied the
world’s religions and cults? If so, we will
be much more effective.
7. THE LORD OF TIME
Some house church people want to grow
and multiply easily and quickly. This
is an understandable and noble desire.
But, when they discover that God often
takes a long time to do things, they quit.
These folks are not true world-changers.
Maybe they are not actually called by
God to the work. Maybe they are fickle
pragmatists with little real conviction.
Maybe they are immature believers. But,
there is a better way! House churches
must recognize that our God is the Lord
of Time who often takes longer to put
his plans into action than we sometimes
expect or want him to.
Abraham waited 25 years before God
fulfilled his promise of giving him a son.
Moses spent 40 years in exile tending
sheep before God called him to free
Israel from Egyptian bondage. David
waited 17 years after his anointing by the
prophet Samuel before becoming king.
Jesus spent 30 years in obscurity before
launching his public ministry. Paul had
to wait over 10 years after his conversion
before actually being sent as an apostle
to the Gentile world.
As house churches today, therefore,
we must be in this for the long haul if
we are to see God firmly establish his
“household strategy” among all the
nations of the world.
8. BLOOD, SWEAT, AND TEARS
Some house church people are absolutely
unprepared to endure the necessary
hardships and do what it takes to see God
accomplish his purposes through them.
They will only be involved if personal
sacrifice is not required. But, there is a
better way! House churches that want to
produce quality disciples of Christ must
be ready to be refined by the fire.
Jesus and his early followers knew
this well. They spilt their “blood” as
they were physically persecuted by
civil authorities, religious leaders, and
lynch mobs through arrests, trials,
imprisonments, beatings, stonings, and
assassination attempts (Jn 19:1-30; Acts
4:1-7, 5:17-27, 7:54-60, 8:1-3, 19:23-41,
23:12-22; 2 Cor 11:23-25). They poured
their “sweat” from the hard work of
praying, evangelizing, healing, teaching,
traveling, battling physical hardship,
and persisting in their concern for the
5 FALL 2009
 churches (Mk 3:20; Lk 6:12, 8:1, 9:6;
Acts 1:14; 2 Cor 11:23,26-28). They
shed their “tears” as they were denied,
betrayed, abandoned, and criticized by
family, friends, and fellow Christians
(Mt 10:34-37; Mk 3:21, 6:1-4; Jn 6:66,
18:1-3, 18:25-27; 2 Cor 10:10; Philip 1:15-
17; 2 Tim 4:10,16).
As house churches today, therefore,
we must be ready to expend blood,
sweat, and tears, for God is asking us to
help repair the broken foundations of
his church to reach his broken world.
9. LASER BEAM FOCUS
Some house church people are not fully
engaged and are not fully committed
to God’s agenda. They are dabblers.
They are sometimes too distracted by
hobbies, ambitions, sinful habits, and
participation in other good institutional
church ministries. But, there is a better
way! We must fully dedicate our time,
energy, abilities, passions, resources,
and even life-decisions into the local,
regional, and global house church
movement that God is raising up today.
we must focus
like a laser
beam on the
specific task
God has for us.
We must never
allow the good
things in life to
replace the God
things in life.
Anyone who puts other relationships
ahead of following Jesus cannot be his
disciple (Lk 14:26). Anyone who puts
their hand to the plow and keeps looking
back is not fit for the kingdom (Lk 9:62).
Anyone who does not count the cost
STARFISH
STARFISH FILES
FILES
before embarking on a new venture
will often fail (Lk 14:28-30). Anyone
who allows the worries, riches, and
pleasures of this life to dominate them
will never bear fruit (Lk 8:14). Anyone
who perpetually practices sin will get
entangled and enslaved (Jn 8:34-36; Heb
12:1-2; 1 Jn 1:6-10, 5:18).
As house churches today, therefore,
we must focus like a laser beam on the
specific task God has for us. We must
never allow the good things in life to
replace the God things in life. We must
sweep aside anything that would slow us
down. We must run the race to win.
10. PERSONAL CALLING
Some house church believers have not
been genuinely called by the Spirit to
get involved in this new, yet ancient,
way of being the church. Maybe they
are just looking for quick church growth
results. Maybe they just want to follow
the latest Christian trend. Maybe they
just want a platform for their personal
ministry. Maybe they are just reacting to
past emotional hurts from institutional
churches. Maybe they are just looking
for a comfortable fellowship to belong
to. But, there is a better way! House
churches should gently encourage their
members to do some real soul searching
before God to figure out if they really
should be involved at all.
Noah was called to help save a remnant
from the flood of judgment (Gen 6:13-
22). Moses was called to help deliver the
Hebrews from Egyptian slavery (Exod
3:10). Gideon was called to deliver God’s
people from the Midianites (Judges
6:14). Jesus was called to rescue the world
from the spiritual darkness of sin by his
sacrificial death on the cross (John 3:16).
Paul was called to be the chief apostle
to the Gentiles (Acts 9:15-17, 13:1-3).
And only because they were genuinely
invited by the Spirit to put their hand to
the task did they fulfill their mission.
As house churches today, therefore,
we must be 100% sure that the Spirit
has truly summoned us personally to do
what we are doing. If we are unsure at
all, we may indeed be messing things up.
So, we had better get into our proverbial
prayer closets and stay there until we get
an answer one way or another. Only then
will we be able to endure the trials and
accomplish the tasks that lay ahead.
May Jesus Christ continue to get his
spotless Bride ready and allow us to wage
war in his holy revolutionary struggle.
Amen. 
STARFISH STATS
In a survey of 255 house churches in the U.S.A. --

146 (or 57%) had baptized at least 1 person in the previous year

123 (or 48%) had planted at least 1 new house church in the previous 3 years

“Ratios of this size automatically place these [house] churches… among the most
effective evangelistic churches…[and] in the highest category of churches planting
churches in North America.”

(Source: J.D. Payne, Missional House Churches, 2007)

FALL 2009
 CROSS CANADA
BRITISH COLUMBIA
Gord Coulson (Vancouver, BC)
homechristian @gmail.com
T O
he organic
h o u s e
c h u r c h
movement is
making steady
progress in B.C.,
but there is much
work to do. Several of us attended
the June 2009 Starfish conference in
Newmarket, ON, where Frank Viola
was the main speaker.
The conference was excellent.
Randy Wollf and I were privileged
to meet Ron and Laurel Kellington
from Mission, BC. Networks require
connections, and this was surely
arranged by the Lord!
The Kellingtons organized a
conference in Mission, BC, in July
2009, featuring Milt Rodriguez, an
associate of Frank Viola’s. About 60
folks attended. A number of house
churches could be starting in the
aftermath in Abbotsford, Kelowna,
Mission, Prince George, and Victoria.
We also need to pray for Vancouver. It
is one of the most highly secularized
regions in the province and maybe
the country.
Please pray for Randy and Lore
Wollf and their three kids as they
head off for a 9-month missionary
assignment in Thailand starting in
September 2009. If you feel led to
help with expenses, you can donate at
www.powertochange.org and specify
Wollf (980 680). 
STARFISH FILES
8
ALBERTA
Terry Johns (Red Deer, AB)
terryjohns@shaw.ca
www.reddeerhousechurch.com
n July 23,
2009, the
Alberta
House Church
Network once
again gathered in
Red Deer for our
bi-monthly chat, plan, and dream.
Usually 6 to 8 folks come from
Calgary, Edmonton, and Red Deer.
We have penciled in October 2009
to run Alberta’s first provincial house
church summit (No, this isn’t the G8;
it’s more the HC8).
With Bob Carroll from Edmonton
bringing much of the impetus, we
talked through our expectations.
The goal will be to bring awareness
to those testing the waters and to
empower those already engaged.
Between 40 and 60 people are
expected to attend.
One of the main topics on our
agenda is intercession for Alberta.
One weakness I have observed in
house church networks is the lack of
prayer, spiritual warfare, and fasting.
If we are to see this movement grow
in Alberta and across Canada, we
must hear what God is saying.
If this Alberta network is to grow
and flourish, we also need to move
from talking about cross-pollination
of ministries to actually doing it.
Only then will “networking” not be
misinterpreted as “not working.”
Please pray for God’s work in this
province. 
ONTARIO
Rad Zdero (Mississauga, ON)
rzdero@yahoo.ca
O
n t a r i o’s
s i m p l e
h o u s e
church movement
is emerging from a
sea of prayers, tears,
sweat, mud, and
blood. There has been a cost!
In recent years, very loose
connections have been forming
between house churches. We have
invested in relationships through
“think tanks”, visits, emails, phone
calls, and weekend retreats.
Consequently, the province-wide
links are starting to foster more
cohesive city-based networks of
house churches that want to partner
together practically to impact their
area with the good news of Jesus.
There is now a Golden Triangle
network linking leaders from Baden,
Cambridge, Guelph, Kitchener, and
Waterloo. A Metro Toronto network
of a dozen leaders now meets every
6 weeks. Leaders are clustering from
the Hamilton, Norfolk, and Niagara
region. The Barrie-area and Trenton-
area networks are pressing on. And
preliminary links are being forged in
the greater Ottawa region.
All told, there are at least 30 towns
where there is a “house of peace”
that wants to start a work (Lk 10:1-
11), a functioning house church (Rom
16:3-5), or a full-blown house church
network (Acts 2:41-47; 20:20). Let’s
continue to stand in the gap for each
another! 
 CHECK-UP
THE MARITIMES
Mike Maclean (Fredericton, NB)
mkmac44@hotmail.com
I
n recent years in
the “Maritimes”
(Canada’s east
coast), some of us
have been concerned
primarily with our own
autonomous house
fellowships. Beginning
in the New Year, I felt an increasing
desire to gather with others having a
similar heartbeat. The need to develop
a network of house churches seemed
pressing.
Two home fellowships began recently
in Woodstock, NB. We helped plant
another in Carribou, Maine. Another
in Saint John, NB, is flourishing. Each
fellowship has sent representatives to
form a regional resource team. This
team does not function hierarchically,
but exists for mutual encouragement and
planning of regional gatherings.
We have had two regional team
meetings so far and found them to be
quite helpful. We are planning a future
time to bring all 5 house churches
together for fellowship and sharing a
meal, as well as regional workshops on
“coaching” and “redemptive listening.”
We are also linking with folks in NS and
PEI.
Cell and celebration. Local and
regional. Micro and macro. One without
the other is like trying to fly with only one
wing. We need to get to know others in
our various regions. Once relationships
are established, larger gatherings and
strategic partnerships will be much more
natural and fruitful.
Jesus is coming back. Will we as his
Bride be ready? 
2009 NATIONAL CONFERENCE
Sam Buick, (Waterloo, ON) | samthemacman@gmail.com
T
he Starfish team facilitated the recent Canadian
National House Church Conference. There were
214 people from 7 Canadian provinces and 3 US
states. The gathering was held in Newmarket, ON, on
June 26-27, 2009. Newmarket Alliance Church graciously
partnered with us to pull off the event, which offered
an opportunity to hear from Frank Viola, one of the
messengers at the forefront of the organic church movement.
Author of works like Pagan Christianity and Reimagining Church, Viola
set the stage on Friday night with a clarion call by raising vital concerns
about the movement in North America that were sobering to many.
Frank pointed out on Saturday that the foundation of organic life was
the Godhead and God’s eternal purpose to find a Bride for his Son. He spoke
about leadership as participating together through followership of Christ.
He reminded us that church planting was really about seeing the Lord birth
a new community. Frank displayed great humility in his interactions.
The Starfish team (Sam Buick, Ed Peng, Al Remley, Marc Wright, and
Rad Zdero) also shared about the great need for networking, outreach,
forgiveness, persistence, grace, and vision.
Participation was encouraged through small group “table talk”, a Q/A
time, lots of breaks, and lunch. Strong relationships were begun and existing
ones were strengthened.
May we take the next steps boldly across this nation as Christ leads us! 
CANADIAN CONNEXIONS
British Columbia Ontario
Gord Coulson (Vancouver) Sam/Lori Buick (Waterloo)
homechristian@gmail.com samthemacman@gmail.com
Rich Finlay (Okanagan Valley) Marc/Christina Wright (Ottawa)
jusnexdoor@shaw.ca just1church@gmail.com
Ron/Laurel Kellington (Mission) Rad Zdero (Toronto/Mississauga)
rkell@uniserve.com rzdero@yahoo.ca
Grace Wiebe (Surrey)
wiebe.grace@gmail.com Quebec
Donald/Lorraine Gingras (Montreal)
Alberta donald.gingras@videotron.ca
Terry/Christine Johns (Red Deer) Claude Massana (Quebec City)
terryjohns@shaw.ca clama@distributel.net
John Pritchard (Calgary)
john.pritchard@cschurch.ca The Maritimes
Rob Ross (Calgary) Rik Berry (Nova Scotia)
oikosministries@shaw.ca rik@valleygate.org
Mike/Anne Maclean (New Brunswick)
Manitoba mkmac44@hotmail.com
Ken/Valerie Stade (Winnipeg)
kenstade@shaw.ca
 REACHING STUDENTS A R e p o r t
FOR CHRIST
D
unnville
is a small
town in
southern Ontario
(Canada). The
residents enjoy a
vibrant downtown
core where greetings and easy chatter
are the norm. Accepting a teaching
position here 27 years ago, it has been
my home ever since.
In March 2009, our house church
was discussing the theme, “Find out
where God is working”, when a knock
came to the door. A curious neighbour
wanted to join in on our meeting. We
discovered he was befriending some
students from China. He and his wife
had already extended their hospitality
to them in marvelous ways.
Why were these students from
China now living in Dunville of all
places? Well, a somewhat dubious
claim to fame has been an inactive
airport which was used as a training
centre for pilots during World War
II. The government of China sent
these students to Dunnville where
they would receive pilot training.
Although lifestyle evangelism
was our neighbour’s preferred
method, he would not neglect to tell
them his thoughts about God. “Shall
I keep going,” he would ask, “tell you
more, or do you want me to stop?”
“No, no, tell us more,” the students
would reply.
We began discussing ways we could
reach out to these students in a more
proactive way. As the discussion
continued and enthusiasm mounted,
it was soon apparent to everyone that
God had an agenda, and we needed to
get on board.
God immediately began to put His
STARFISH FILES
10
By Te
t
plan into action. Our house church
resolved to put on a dinner of pancakes
and sausages. The local Baptist church
in town offered their facilities. One of
the members of our house church was
given a 10 pound bag of pancake mix.
We also obtained a Mandarin language
version of “The Jesus Film” from a
friend in another house church.
Someone else donated $100 towards
for food. Another
person made a bulk
purchase of sausages and donated
their expertise with sound and video
equipment. One of our house church
members obtained 300 gospel tracts
in the Mandarin language.
What’s more, a Chinese Church
in Toronto agreed to send a team of
6 people to lead in praise songs and
personal testimonies. The word went
)
nv ille, ON
, (Dun
aclean
rry M
sn.com
e r e n c eliz@m
out through the grapevine to the
Chinese pilots. And we prayed.
The following Saturday night, a
swarm of 70 young and energetic
Chinese students arrived. The
Jesus video started, but there was a
restlessness in the hall. By the time
the video ended two hours later,
there were only about 35 to 40 people
left. However, we felt the hand of
the Lord was still orchestrating the
proceedings.
A testimony was given. And the hall
went silent. The young Chinese pilots
were visibly moved. Then a young
Chinese girl from Tyndale Bible
College gave her testimony, following
it up with a timely altar call. Following
her appeal, 7 young men responded
to the gospel, going forward for
prayer and dedication.
One of the converts was
immediately convicted of an
idol that he had worn around his
neck for 15 years. A tire iron was
secured. Laying the idol over
a curb in the parking lot, and
raising the iron above his head,
this young man smashed the false
god, freeing him from bondage and
into a new found liberty in Christ.
The Chinese Church team were all
actively speaking and praying with
those who were still seated at the
tables doing follow-up on the video
and testimonies.
Our small house church was
privileged to see God at work. God
used not only us, but others we really
did not even know from the Body of
Christ to reach the students.
We looked where God was working
and responded out of obedience. And
God did the rest. 
 HOUSE CHURCH Rob Ross (Calgary, AB)
oikosministries@shaw.ca

ACTION PAGE
FOCUS
on living in such a way that Jesus’ message
is clearly expressed through our lives. We
LEAVE your comfortable Christian activities, go
outside your comfort zone, and take the
time to build and invest in relationships
with those around you like workmates,
neighbours, and students.

LIVE
can trust God to do the rest.

LOVE
as a participant in the natural activities
of culture while maintaining lines of clear
conscience and non-compromise.

generously, genuinely, and with no

strings attached. LISTEN in a way that
demonstrates
sincere
interest in
others.

CHOOSE
an activity you
can do as a
BRAINSTORM
and pray for specific ideas about
house church. living on mission. For example…

GO
Adopt a park. Adopt a family. Help
a neighbour. Start a storytellers
group. Donate to a food bank.
Volunteer at a homeless shelter.

FOLLOW-UP
the activity with a meeting as a group to prayerfully and just do it.
determine what worked and what did not.

READ Hugh Halter and Matt Smay’s book The Tangible Kingdom:
Creating Incarnational Community.

FALL 2009
 IS THERE
GOOD DOCTRINE
IN THE HOUSE?
O
ur house
churches are of-
ten comprised of
believers (and hopefully
some seekers too) from
various backgrounds,
from the mainstream to
the fringe. Questions of
doctrine will undoubtedly emerge. At
times, serious doctrinal error must be
dealt with head on (2 Tim 2:14-26; Tit
1:9-16). But, how can we stay united in
Christ and avoid destructive debates
over secondary issues or theological
speculation?
One strategy is to ignore the prob-
lem. This is based on fear. Like a dys-
functional family, no one likes talking
about so-and-so’s drinking problem.
We pretend everything is peachy, but
we walk on eggshells. There is little
FIELD REPORT FROM INDIA’S HARVEST FIELDS
Victor Choudhrie
INDIA
vchoudhrie @gmail.com
Victor is a key leader in India who has helped
plant tens of thousands of house churches since
the early 1990’s. He is a former cancer surgeon
and is a fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons in
the UK and the American College of Surgeons. He
is also the author of the book Greet the Ekklesia
in Your House.
T here is a major harvest being reaped in
India today. Over 250,000 new believers
have been baptized from about January to
March 2009.
There are thousands more we have not
incorporated, as we are not sure that they
went through proper repentance.
God gave us the vision to move to the next
level and reap a harvest of at least 100,000
STARFISH FILES
12
PART 1: WHAT’S THE PROBLEM?
By Gord Coulson
homechristian@gmail.com
spontaneous love or creativity. It will
not take much for this family (or house
church) to unravel. Obviously, this is
not a good solution. We need to talk
about it.
Another strategy is to control the
problem. This is also based on fear.
To preserve truth, many Christian or-
ganizations, churches, denominations,
and movements officially adopt a bind-
ing doctrinal statement. The Nicene
Creed, for example, has shaped much
of Christian thought over the cen-
turies. Although not wrong in them-
selves, creeds do not fully work either,
since bad behaviour and bad theology
abound even among those bodies that
have adopted creeds.
Frank Viola, in Reimagining Church,
wisely writes that, “The indwelling life
of Jesus Christ is the only requirement
souls, which has been far surpassed.
My wife Bindu and I went to many distant
places and shared the vision with grassroots
people. Many partners in the gospel fasted
and prayed. I also fasted for 2 months, the last
11 days on total fast where I just lived on water
and nothing else.
We have shifted from thinking small to
thinking big. Those who used to baptize ten
are thinking in hundreds, and those who
were in the hundreds category are thinking in
thousands, and those who were in the thousand
for the unity of the Spirit... the fact
that Christ dwells in them obligates
us to accept them as family members”
(p.128-9).
Rather than ignoring or controlling
the problem, we can look to Jesus for
unity. If we stay “in the vine” (John
15:5), and remain humble and teach-
able, our lives and beliefs should be
conformed to his over time.
However, for many Christians, doc-
trinal disputes cannot be set aside so
easily. We grow fond of certain teach-
ings or practices we feel are crucial.
Perhaps these beliefs, to some extent,
define us. And in our need to defend
them, we unwittingly divide the Body
of Christ.
But, what does the Bible explicitly say
we must believe to be saved? In Part 2,
we will drill down and see. 
mindset are planning in tens of thousands.
We praise God for this great change in our
paradigm. Women played a great role in this.
This has annoyed some of the traditional
pastors.
Now we must go to the next level and flock
them into house churches and mature them
so that they can bring thirtyfold, sixtyfold,
and even hundredfold fruit.
We need to make sure that each new
believer has a New Testament. We must also
train hundreds of master trainers to train
multiple generations of disciples. If you have
any surplus money, please do not forget to
send it this way. This is urgent.
Thanks to all who support us through prayer
and practical support. We want to declare
Yeshua Messiah the King of this nation in
our generation. 
(Editor’s note—To send a non-tax deductible
gift, please make cheque out to “Starfish
Network”, put “Project India” in memo line, and
mail to Rad Zdero, PO Box 39528, Lakeshore PO,
Mississauga, ON, Canada, L5G-4S6.)
 by
RAD ZDERO
rzdero@yahoo.ca

REVOLUTION
What’s the
deal with And house
house churches are
churches?
.. spreading
around the
..
world like
a virus!
Have
you
A virus!!!
heard
That can’t
about
be good for
this?
anyone!

Apparently, It’s just like

people come when my uncle
over to your
house…
.. …which
really just
Morty and his
friends come to
..
means you my house
have to for dinner
clean up uninvited and
someone unannounced!
else’s mess
when they
leave!

KOM IX
Hello! Am I the only
The one here who thinks
meetings are
interactive…
.. this is a really bad
idea?!
...which really
just means you
never get a
word in
edgewise!
..

...which really That’s it for

just means me folks. BY
Local leaders
are unpaid
.. there’s no
money in it
for you!
You’re too
kind. I’m .. RAD
ZDERO
here all
volunteers… week!
RZDERO
@YAHOO.CA

13 FALL 2009
 KICKIN’ IT
Old School
ROlAnD ALLEN (1868-1947)
influential writer and apostolic leader
Roland Allen trained for ministry at Oxford and became an Anglican priest in 1893. He had two
stints in northern China working for the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel. These early
difficult experiences caused him to undergo a shift in his understanding of strategies commonly
used to spread the gospel versus those he saw in the New Testament. He became an advocate of
self-supporting, self-propagating, and self-governing churches that adapted to local conditions,
rather than being merely imitations of western-style Christianity. Near the end of his life, he
became disillusioned with the established churches of his day, believing that his ideas would be
better received by future generations. His books Missionary Methods: St. Paul’s or Ours? (1912)
and The Spontaneous Expansion of the Church (1927) have become influential classics.

The Church was first established and organ-
ized with a worldwide mission for a world-
wide work. It was a living organism com-
posed of living souls deriving their life from
Christ... It was an organism which grew by
its own spontaneous activity, the expression
of that life which it had in union with Christ,
the Saviour.
The rapid and wide expansion of the
Church in the early centuries was due in the
first place mainly to the spontaneous activ-
ity of individuals. [The] natural instinct to
share with others a new-found joy, strength-
ened and enlightened by the Divine Grace of
Christ, the Saviour, inevitably tends to impel
men to propagate the Gospel.
The names of a few great Apostles were
known to the whole Church; but the first
teachers of the majority of the Christians
were probably unknown to any but those
whom they had quietly influenced…Thus
as men moved about there were constantly
springing up new groups of Christians in dif-
ferent places.
The Church expanded simply by organ-
izing these little groups as they were con-
verted, handing on to them the organization
which she had received from her first found-
ers. It was itself a unity composed of a mul-
titude of little Churches any one of which
could propagate itself, and consequently the
reception of any new group of Christians
was a very simple matter. By a simple act
the new group was brought into the unity of
the Church, and equipped, as its predeces-
sors had been equipped, not only with all
the spiritual power and authority necessary
for its own life as an organized unit, but also
with all the authority needed to repeat the
same process whenever one of its members
might convert men in any new village or
town.
The spontaneous expansion of the
Church reduced to its elements is a very
simple thing. It asks for no elaborate organi-
zation, no large finances, no great numbers
of paid missionaries. In its beginning it may
be the work of one man, and that a man nei-
ther learned in the things of this world, nor
rich in the wealth of this world.
What is needed is the
kind of faith which,
uniting a man to Christ,
sets him on fire.
The organization of a little Church on the
Apostolic model is also extremely simple,
and the most illiterate converts can use it,
and the poorest are sufficiently wealthy to
maintain it. Only as it grows and spreads
through large provinces and countries do
any complex questions arise, and they arise
only as a Church composed of many little
Churches is able to produce leaders pre-
pared to handle them by experience learned
in the smaller things.
No one, then, who feels within himself
the call of Christ to embark on such a path
as this need say, I am too ignorant, I am too
inexperienced, I have too little influence,
or I have not sufficient resources. The first
apostles of Christ were in the eyes of the
world “unlearned and ignorant” men: it was
not until the Church had endured a perse-
cution and had grown largely in numbers
that Christ called a learned man to be His
Apostle.
The missionaries who spread the Gos-
pel and established the Church throughout
the lands round the Mediterranean are not
known to us as men of great learning or abil-
ity. Most of them are not known by name at
all. Only when the Church had been estab-
lished and had spread widely did Christ call
the great doctors whose names are familiar
to us by their writings, or by their great pow-
ers of organization and government.
What is necessary is faith. What is needed
is the kind of faith which, uniting a man to
Christ, sets him on fire. Such a man can be-
lieve that others finding Christ will be set
on fire also. Such a man can see that there
is no need of money to fill a continent with
the knowledge of Christ. Such a man can see
that all that is required to consolidate and
establish that expansion is the simple ap-
plication of the simple organization of the
Church. It is to men who know that faith,
who see that vision, that I appeal. Let them
judge what I have written (Roland Allen, The
Spontaneous Expansion of the Church, 1927).

STARFISH FILES
 RTHEEGOSPEL
VOLUOF LENIN?
EDITOR’S COMMENTS
“T
T I O N
Rad Zdero (Mississauga, ON)
rzdero@yahoo.ca
he success of the revolution
is the supreme law! Now,
until you can say that
comrade—and mean it—history will have
no use for you!” So said Vladimir Lenin, the
founding father of the Russian communist
state, in the BBC television drama Fall of
Eagles. It was with disturbed fascination
that I first watched this program that
retold the story of the gradual demise of
the European monarchies of Germany,
Austria-Hungary, and Russia in the late
19th and early 20th century. In their place
emerged a new world invigorated by new
ideologies that promised equality, liberty,
and fraternity. As well as work, land, and
bread!
Among those who attempted to
overturn the oppressive and self-
indulgent political establishments of
the day were the Marxists, the most
successful subgroup of Communists. In
Russia, as in other countries of Europe,
radicals were gripped by the writings of
Marx, Chernyshevski, and Plekhanov.
Among their leaders was the fiery and
intelligent young law student Vladimir
Ilich Ulyanov, best known to the world as
Lenin.
Some aspects of Communism (and
Capitalism) are certainly in direct
contradiction to Christian faith. But, my
own research into the actual personalities
and events of the time have led me to
believe that there are many positive and
negative lessons we can learn as a Christ-
powered house church movement from
the “gospel” of Lenin.
Lenin single-mindedly dedicated
his life to the Revolution. A political
adversary once said of Lenin that “there’s
no such person who is so preoccupied
twenty-four hours a day with revolution,
who thinks no other thoughts except
those about revolution and who even
dreams in his sleep about revolution.”
He would eventually strip himself of
personal hobbies—such as listening
to Beethoven, reading Latin classics,
playing chess, and ice skating—that were
taking too much time and energy away
from his revolutionary role. Although
he did marry, romantic relationships
were of secondary importance.
lenin aggressively spread the ideas
of the Revolution. He organized and
met with secret home study groups. He
wrote numerous articles, pamphlets, and
books to disseminate his ideas to a wide
audience, but primarily to his fellow
Marxists. He even tried to gain a hearing
among labour unions, student groups,
and others oppressed by the government.
Lenin built a cohesive network of
fiercely devoted leaders of the
Revolution. “Give us an organization
of revolutionaries,” he once wrote, “and
we’ll turn all Russia upside down!”
Those for whom revolution was a mere
hobby, the latest trend to join, or a
convenient activity to engage in were
never going to change the world. Only
a small nucleus of radicals that was
organized and disciplined could catalyze
a movement to accomplish the mission.
Lenin worked persistently while he
waited patiently for the Revolution.
It was 30 years from the time of the young
Lenin’s initial interest in radical politics
in 1887 to the Russian revolution in
October 1917 that saw him come to power
as Russia’s head of state. During those
many years, Lenin underwent arrests,
exiles, conflict with colleagues, financial
troubles, and a host of health problems.
But, he never stopped speaking, studying,
writing, networking, organizing,
traveling, and agitating for change.
Lenin, however, did have major
character flaws. He could be a
domineering bully. He was argumentative
and rude and would mock his opponents.
He gave no thought to personal loyalties
and quickly purged unreliable people
from the emerging movement. He was
a workaholic and had an extramarital
affair. He was an ardent atheist.
And after he took official charge of
the Russian empire in 1917, he used
brutal force against his own people.
Even so, something about the early
Marxist movement in Russia resonates
with me. I sometimes wonder how the
world would be different today had Lenin
become a Christ-follower. Put simply, the
kind of dedication, discipline, and deliber-
ateness Lenin and other radicals showed
in pursuing their humanistic utopia puts
many of us Christians today to shame.
How much more so should we as fol-
lowers of Christ—filled with the very
spirit of the Living God and armed with
the true Gospel—be passionate, persist-
ent, patient, and practical in reaching the
world for Christ and seeing the kingdom
of God established among the nations!
15 FALL 2009
 RECOMMENDED FREE e-BOOK

READING
TRIBES:
We Need You To
Lead Us
by Seth Godin

THE STARFISH AND • Biblical analysis.

• Archaeological discoveries.
THE SPIDER: • Manuscript evidence.
The Unstoppable • Perfect for skeptics and seekers
• Packed with graphs, stats, photos
Power of Leaderless • Ideal for those who are visual learners
Organizations • 8.5 inch x 11 inch size (printer friendly)
• 25 pages
by Ori Brafman and
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

SOS! Save our Starfish!

The STARFISH FILES magazine needs your
stories, poems, photos, practical teachings, book
reviews, and artwork. Financial support is also
needed to pay for design and printing costs.
Please make a cheque out to “Starfish Network”
with “Starfish Files” in the memo line. Send to:
Rad Zdero (editor)
P.O. Box 39528
Lakeshore P.O.
Mississauga, ON
Canada, L5G-4S6
rzdero@yahoo.ca
RAD ZDERO earned his Ph.D. in Mechanical
Engineering, specializing in
orthopaedic biomechanics.
He is currently the director
of a hospital-based research
lab in Toronto. Rad has been
involved in the house church
and small group movement
since 1985 and is committed to
the full restoration of original New Testament
Christianity in our day. He is the author of The
Global House Church Movement (2004) and
the allegorical novel Entopia: Revolution of the
Ants (2008). He is also the editor of Nexus: The
World House Church Movement Reader (2007)
and The Starfish Files house church magazine.
He lives just outside Toronto, Canada.

STARFISH FILES