For follow-up discussion and general commentary on the topic. Comments are sorted chronologically.
Shelly Kate
I've heard some of my close friends and devoted follower's of Jesus say this: We attend a bible study, we partake in communion while we are there, we encourage one another, we study only the bible, we are a body of believers and we pray, so there is not the need to go to church because this is our church. We also tithe to different ministries. What do you think? Thank you!
Jennifer Rothnie
That sounds like a lot of the meetings of the early church. The early church met in homes, and anyone could share a word of wisdom more like in a Bible study. (Acts 5:42, Acts 3:56)
"When you come together, everyone has a psalm or a teaching, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. All of these must be done to build up the church." I Cor 14:26
The church is the body of Christ, not a particular building to meet in. The presence of God no longer resides in the Temple, but inside of us! Bible studies are meetings of the church as much as going to hear a sermon - in some ways, more so since they provide more opportunity for fellowship. There is also no biblical requirement, indeed a lot to speak against it, that we should tithe to a specific church group vs. helping others and giving cheerfully.
[Question: What does the Bible say about Christian tithing? Should a Christian tithe? See Answer: http://ebible.com/answers/7207?ori=167400]
That said, small meetings of less than 20, if they never interact with others in the body of Christ, are more prone to become insular and even go off track theologically as there are not the same checks and balances as in a larger church group. There are many gifts the spirit gives for the working of the church, and a small group might not have a good balance of these. This is not always a problem, but its something smaller groups should be aware of.
Brian Ansell
If god exists and is everywhere, then anyone who wants to speak with god can do so at any time and any place. Places of worship are for people who wish to meet others!