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David Jones

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Greetings everyone! My name is David & I'm new here. I've come for discussion & hopefully answers. Was raised attending a United Methodist Church & I left that church in search of a church I would feel better attending. Fifteen years later, I'm still searching. Dissatisfied with almost every church I've attended, and that accounts for most of the denominations out there. With the exception of a few, that I haven't tried & won't. So I'm more or less a man without a country. Like I said, I'm here for discussion & hopefully answers. Hope to get to know some great people here. Have a great day!!
 

David Hunter

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Welcome, David!!! Love your name by the way... haha

I have a suggestion for a great book that I think will help you. It's called, I Will by Thom Rainer.

Also, if you're not finding a church you feel right in then consider starting your own! That's what I'm thinking of doing. Start with a Bible Study group and grow it from there (that's how a lot of churches got started). Plus, church isn't just some building, it's a group of believers coming together and helping each other with their walk with Christ. :)
 
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David Jones

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I've actually thought of starting a church, another of one I liked. There isn't a church close enough like it, so I'd have to drive over an hour to get to the closest one. I liked how you worded your 3rd paragraph. Starting a new church sounds exciting. Ill have to start thinking of a name or at least for the group and potential beliefs after it takes hold. If you start one & put it on Facebook, I'll "like" it. What thoughts or ideas do you have for yours so far?

But how do I go about starting one? Where do I find people or reach out to them? Most are already established & happy in churches. Putting ads in the paper could get expensive. What are your thoughts?

Btw, David is my name, but its not my first name lol But I just like it better. Nice to meet another Davidite or Davidian lol
 
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David Hunter

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Davidian has a good ring to it! hahaha

Hmm... the one that you like, is it a big or growing church?

You could possibly reach out to them and see about starting one in your town. And, if they don't like the idea, or feel they have others who could start the church, then you know do start your very own.

I'll let you know if I get one started.

One person I really like is Rick Warren. I think it would be great to start a church and have it grow to an international church. Selling books, doing speeches, etc. Not taking any money from the church, only get paid through books, courses, etc. Not from preaching. And, like Rick, donate 90% of my income.

Right now, I'm thinking of just a small Bible Study group. There's one I watched grow down the street from me. These people just started by putting out a sign in their front yard that said, "Bible Study Friday. Call XXX" I've only seen it grow from there. I really need to stop by and ask them about it. I guess if you put out the sign they will come.

Yeah, advertising can get expensive. I have a marketing background, and sometimes I feel God wants me to use that to help spread his Word and help save souls. Since, all we can do is plant the seed and water the seed.

So, you could advertise the Bible Study and offer a FREE Bible to everyone who attends who doesn't have a Bible. Etc. Then, start a website, mailing list, etc. Or, start the website first and share my experiences and then a Bible Study group. Don't know yet.

Just some of my thoughts.

Oh, and regards to "Most are already established & happy in churches." We're not looking to take people away from their current church, we're seeking the lost. The world is full of lost people, just waiting for someone to come by and show them the way.
 
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David Jones

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If that were food for thought, I'd have a fridge full of good. Lol Alot of good ideas to consider. Finances are tight, so ads are out, as are websites & buying bibles for members. I can advertise on Facebook about the kind of bible would be used. Meet at a park in a secluded area. There's also pavilions there in case it's rain. Meet in the outdoors like Christ did when he was ministering & preaching. The thinking gears are turning. Lol

This other church is Primitive Baptist. I actually joined their church this summer. And the church I wanna start would be similar to that. I live in the middle of two churches of that denomination, both being about an hour away from me. Starting a church would allow me to organize beliefs & sacraments. Ones that may have been dropped by the early church. They did have a church in my countyvby the state border but another church took over & kicked out. Will have to start from scratch. Could put an add on Craigslist, or post something on Facebook. Start small scale.
 
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David Hunter

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Glad to see the gears are turning and you got your creative thinking cap on!

Love how you mentioned Craigslist. I didn't even think about that! ha

I found this on the website of a local Baptist Church in my neighborhood: KJVHeartHelps.com Has a lot of great Bible Study lessons, etc. that I've been looking at. I'm not a Baptist, but they're still useful for me... and, since you mentioned Baptist I figured these could be helpful to you too.
 
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David Jones

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I was wondering how a bible study goes, so your help comes in handy. Lol I'll certainly check out that website. How would one make the transition from having a bible study to organizing a church, without overwhelming the members of the Bible study? Wonder how the disciples or at least St Peter did it. He just up & started a church or someone did based on his teachings. J don't think they had bible studies. Didn't have bibles, just oral dialogue or preaching. Plus nowadays, when people try starting a church, people tend to think you're starting a cult, you,'re a weirdo, or a kook. Lol

Yea, can find almost everything on Craigslist these days. From situations to items for sale.
 
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Lulav

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Greetings everyone! My name is David & I'm new here. I've come for discussion & hopefully answers. Was raised attending a United Methodist Church & I left that church in search of a church I would feel better attending. Fifteen years later, I'm still searching. Dissatisfied with almost every church I've attended, and that accounts for most of the denominations out there. With the exception of a few, that I haven't tried & won't. So I'm more or less a man without a country. Like I said, I'm here for discussion & hopefully answers. Hope to get to know some great people here. Have a great day!!

Hello David and Welcome to CF! :wave: You've come to the right place and I'm sure what you're looking for can be found here.

We have forums for just about all the major denominations and faith groups, even ones that are Non Denominational and some with No Creed But Christ!

Check them out under out
Christian Communities
and
Faith Groups

We even have a forum for those like yourself
Looking for a Church! and
House Churches & Cell Groups

There's also a section of
Christian Ministries
which may help you on your way to starting your own group

And here are a few threads that may give you some ideas.

Churches How do you find a church?http://www.christianforums.com/threads/how-does-one-start-a-house-church.7877136/
how does one start a house church?
Finding a Home Church



I hope that helps you in your pursuits and if you need any help in navigating the site or whatever just PM me!

:wave:
 
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David Hunter

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I was wondering how a bible study goes, so your help comes in handy. Lol I'll certainly check out that website. How would one make the transition from having a bible study to organizing a church, without overwhelming the members of the Bible study? Wonder how the disciples or at least St Peter did it. He just up & started a church or someone did based on his teachings. J don't think they had bible studies. Didn't have bibles, just oral dialogue or preaching. Plus nowadays, when people try starting a church, people tend to think you're starting a cult, you,'re a weirdo, or a kook. Lol

Yea, can find almost everything on Craigslist these days. From situations to items for sale.

That... I do not know. All I know is I've checked out a lot of church websites around my area and it seems a lot of them started as Bible Studies in people's basements/garages, etc.

Yeah, I think that's how Peter did it! haha I do know the Catholic Church can trace back to Peter, so they claim he was the first Pope, though he was never called that because it didn't exist at the time.

Make sure you have a mission statement, or statement of faith. That way, people can see your teaches are from the Bible.

I've only told a few people about me wanting to start a church, ministry... and a couple thought I was crazy and the others said to go for it. Really... it's not what people think, it's what God thinks. If it's His Will, then His Will be done.
 
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