House of Prayer founder Edward Wayne Runyan (1864–1945) followed the example of the "Holy Jumpers" of the Metropolitan Church Association, a Holiness Methodist denomination that taught that Christians should live communally in accordance with the teachings in Acts 2:44–47,[1][2] the teaching referred to as "All Things Common".
[3] In 1917, several converts were made among the Churches of Christ in Christian Union (CCCU), including one of the denomination's founders, Henry C. Leeth (died 1967).
At first inclined to participate in Runyan's plan for a fully integrated church community, once the leadership became fully aware of the implications of the teaching—the scrapping of tithing, along with the complete community pooling of all members' income—the annual council of the CCCU speedily resolved that those promoting the "All Things Common" movement have their recognition as CCCU ministers revoked.
"[4][6] Though the commune failed, the House of Prayer set up many churches and an annual camp meeting which at its peak attracted a thousand visitors per year.
[4][5] It published the periodicals the Herald of Perfect Christianity and Repairer of the Breach,[4] of which no copies are extant or locatable.