In a metal outbuilding at a shuttered horse track near San Antonio, Jeff Bishop says he will celebrate at his \u201csimple church\u201d\u009d under a rough-hewed cedar cross, with \u201cfolks who speak \u201d\u02dccowboy\u2019 like I do.\u201d\u009d<\/p>\n
In Washington, D.C., at Saturday night Easter Vigil, while \u201csome folks go to services dressed to the nines, we\u2019ll be dressed to the fives: We\u2019ll keep it casual and focused on Christ,\u201d\u009d says William D\u2019Antonio, a member of a network of Catholic-style house churches called \u201cIntentional Eucharistic communities.\u201d\u009d<\/p>\n
No matter what you call them, house churches, or \u201csimple\u201d\u009d or \u201corganic\u201d\u009d churches, have long thrived in third world countries where clergy and funds for church buildings are scarce. Now, however, they are attracting a small but loyal following across the USA.<\/p>\n