There is no such thing as eclectic ecclesiology. I use the term, following others, to speak of a range of house churches and other miscellaneous small churches. What distinguishes them from other non-mainstream churches, such as Pentecostal churches, is their questioning of how church is done.
These churches look back to the New Testament Church, to the church as it was before episcopal structures, and ask why church has to be the way it is today. The book Pagan Christianity? (look in the side bar) offers a very clear account of this critique of almost everybody. The argument is that Christendom took on the trappings not so much of the early church but of imperial Rome.
The target of the book is not who many readers might expect. Catholics and Orthodox; Anglicans and Methodists come in for little if any direct criticism (although the text inevitably raises questions in the reader's mind). It is the Pentecostal Churches which receive most criticism for being too much in their structures like imperial Rome!
Worship in in this type of eclectic church relies upon the spirit of God. Members might prepare for worship, but there is no overall plan or liturgy. The style comes across to me as similar to the Quakers, albeit with more noise.
The ecumenical implications of these new movements have still to be fully explored. Because they tend to be small and local, they have little if any presence in national ecumenical instruments, although locally some join churches together groups. Some house church leaders used to be members of mainstream churches, or use facilities such as spiritual direction, and so are quite positive about them. I suspect many members will be either frustrated with mainstream churches or members of both mainstream and eclectic!
Disclaimer: My aim in these accounts of ecclesiology is to paint a positive overall picture, although I may from time to time touch upon problems and issues. I am not an expert in this field and may make some mistakes. I welcome any comments that will help me present a clearer and more accurate picture. Please note I am not aiming for an in-depth analysis at this stage.
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