An extraordinary story unfolds in Acts 19:1-10. Paul arrives in Ephesus to launch his 3rd mission effort in Asia Minor (population: 8-12 million) after previously successful trips to Galatia and Macedonia. He spends 3 months gathering in a local synagogue before getting kicked out and renting space in the   nearby Hall of Tyrannus. Within two years,

"all the residents of Asia heard the word of the Lord" (Acts 19:10)

While house churches are the primary expression of church in the New Testament, there is also a very important role that larger gatherings can play in encouraging, teaching, networking, and mobilizing disciples to be the family of God on mission. As the number of house churches warrant in any given area, faithfully being church may include launching large gatherings – not as ends unto themselves, but as opportunities to encourage, teach, network, and mobilize the disciples of nearby house churches for the type of impact exemplified in Acts 19.