Start a Church Using New Methods

[Andrew Thurbush]

Hi,

Over the past few months I have been putting some details together to possible launch a church in the near future. Most of the details have been your average, interest meetings/preview services to get started. But the other night I had an Idea.. What if we host a series of church events in different areas before we launched at our location? Kind of like a band does a tour. I know it might be "out there" but this is kind of what the band Jesus culture did. They traveled as a band with a speaker, had conferences in different locations, and then launched a church in Sacramento. It's just an idea and wanted to get some feedback!

Thanks.

 

[A_Thinker]

Hi,

Over the past few months I have been putting some details together to possible launch a church in the near future. Most of the details have been your average, interest meetings/preview services to get started. But the other night I had an Idea.. What if we host a series of church events in different areas before we launched at our location? Kind of like a band does a tour. I know it might be "out there" but this is kind of what the band Jesus culture did. They traveled as a band with a speaker, had conferences in different locations, and then launched a church in Sacramento. It's just an idea and wanted to get some feedback!

Thanks.

Sounds like what Jesus and His disciples did. Cultivated a following and ultimately established in Jerusalem.

You might want to keep your events fairly local (same town/city) though ...

 

[ByTheSpirit]

Ask God what he wants...

The last thing society wants is a new church. They have 1,000's to choose from already.

But if God is directing your steps, then you will not fail but prosper

 

[Brian Mcnamee]

People often equate a full church with a successful church and unfortunately we are told in the last days that people would have itching ears and heap up for themselves men of who will not teach sound doctrine and tell people what they want to hear. In Acts the church did a few things they kept in the Apostles doctrine, fellowship, the breaking of bread and prayers. As you go remember the LORD added to the church daily those who would be saved. At these types of events you might attract people from other churches to join yours. I do not like ministries that try to bring in sheep from other flocks as much as new converts to repentance. The building on your own foundation principal is a good one. If your plan for your church is based on fog machines, light shows and hip music I would think that is not the LORD drawing people but a sideshow. There is nothing wrong with good music but the humility of the worship team should not be drawing attention to themselves but to the one we are praising.
Galations 1 is clear if anyone preaches another gospel other than the one Paul clearly preached let him be accursed. This is the foundation stone. the work of the pastor is to equip the saints for the work of the ministry. This is where your vision from the LORD comes into play. Many churches have a social justice vision and not a gospel based vision. They are equipping the saints to do charity and not grow in the LORD very much. The one who is growing in the LORD will pour out good works naturally. The message and purpose for a good church is not to have success say like Sadlleback which followed a Peter Druker marketing scheme. This type of work may not pass the test of fire even though there are droves of people turning out. Check your motives and goals and find your direction through prayer and see what the LORD directs you to do.

 

[Uber Genius]

Hi,

Over the past few months I have been putting some details together to possible launch a church in the near future. Most of the details have been your average, interest meetings/preview services to get started. But the other night I had an Idea.. What if we host a series of church events in different areas before we launched at our location? Kind of like a band does a tour. I know it might be "out there" but this is kind of what the band Jesus culture did. They traveled as a band with a speaker, had conferences in different locations, and then launched a church in Sacramento. It's just an idea and wanted to get some feedback!

Thanks.

What is your demographic? What groups have you influenced in the past and why?

Millennials are not loyal to churches generally so your approach to engagement must be richer than gen X or boomers. Have a conversation between yourself and the local skeptics club at a tavern. Discuss the reasons why the disciples gave up their lives in order to deliver the message of Jesus.

Be provocative. "Why has Western Christianity has abandoned discipleship?"

Are you prepared to lead?

Virtually every serious-minded Christian in my college thought they were called into ministry at one point in time in their walk. Why do you think you are?

How does one gain intellectual, emotional, and spiritual maturity? Do you know how the methods differ? Do you know how to determine the gaps and help someone develop their own plan?

Any beleiver can get up and deliver an inductive bible study or topical sermon for 45 mins. every week. But your congregation will forget your message by lunchtime Monday. How are you going to be different then the tens of thousands of "gospel entertainers," that have littered evangelicalism for the past 40 years? Pastoring over a church filled with spiritually, emotionally, and intellectual immature believers largely unchanged by 30 years of church attendance?

 

[Cubits]

When the West started to bring bibles in to the East, like China for example they would also give away other bible study tools which caused separation in the Chinese churches. Denominations began to form in the underground churches and this caused division. We are supposed to be followers of the way. I would take this into consideration before starting a church. Also have you suffered for Christ because if not then how can you preach the cross? The church cares about numbers and not members, this needs to change. We should pray that God will strengthen His body to endure the cross and not run away from it. Can you handle persecution? Are you prepared to be attacked and press in through anything and everything? Discernment also is a must, because in my opinion this is the most under-rated gift but the most important one, what use are the other gifts if we are lacking in this one? Have you heard clearly from the Lord and has He given you conformation of His will? I pray that the Almighty will guide you and protect you.

 

[1watchman]

Yes, there are a lot of things to consider before starting a church group. I would be afraid of starting something of my own ideas, or ideas of ANY men.

The main thing is to hold the foundation of Bible-only. The religious ideas of men has divided God's testimony in the world. This should never happen, and those who divide God's testimony will surely have to answer for it. The Church universal is "one body in Christ" and God speaks much against division ---note I Cor. 12:25. Opposition by professing Christians (and even real ones) will be judged.

Faithful saints will seek to be part of a Bible-only fellowship, if they know of such a gathering; and there are such in the world, but mostly rejected by religious men who prefer their innovations ---even to the extent of perverting Scripture to mean what they want. It is pervasive in the world today. God will allow ignorance, but rebellion will be judged. One ought to be afraid to deviate from the pure Word of God. Interested souls can see much of what God intends for His testimony in the world at the Biblecounsel.net web site, and can ask questions there. Others may choose that which pleases self, but that is not wise, I am sure.

 

[tturt]

What you have in mind sounds good - of course, we want The Holy Spirit leading us.

Here's a few decisions that need to be made: the basic beliefs of the church and the by-laws formulated. If you want it to be a charitable organization, for filing purposes some required information is the a name of the facility, board members, belief statement, etc. Also, "Know those who labor among you." (Whatever way we response in stressful situations is a good key to knowing us imo). All board meeting decisions documented in as much detail as possible.

If you have a traditional church, will the services be traditional or non-traditional or both? Services be at 10 am on Sun or 2 pm? Need furniture including the nursery, sound equipment, projection screen?, fire extinguishers. Sometimes you can purchase a church that is being discontinued. How will the utilities, trash pickup, pest control, insurance, Sunday School supplies, rent, and other monthly expenses be paid? Will there be an area for social occasions? Will you permit folks who don't attend to have their weddings, birthday parties, etc. at your facility? Whose going to unlock the building, clean up after special events, then secure the building? Will you have a landline with a recorder? Whose going to monitor it? Computers? Signs? Whose going to clean it every week including the toilets? Clean up from accidents by babies, etc? Do building repairs? Musical instruments or DVDs? Who determines the volume? Whose going to determine who sings? If they can't sing but they want to sing? How to handle those who gossip to you about others? Parking? (Needs to be in great condition). Bike rack? Free transportation to services for children? Need vans? Chaperones and nursery workers paid or volunteers? Will there be a lawn? Buy the equipment? Do that task? Maintain equipment?

How will you handle requests for food, rent, or utilities from folks who don't attend the church? From those who attend your church? How to handle when they get mad if you don't give them cash? Who will you help? Will it have a soup kitchen or some other type of charitable service? Visiting the sick, funerals, and other calls for that type of assistance, how will those be handled? Are you going to counsel with people especially those getting married? (Need full visibility at all times for counselor and those who work at the church). Bank account - whose gong to write checks? (suggest two people) balance checkbook, audit the books. Publish to the church how expenditures are handled?

Are you going to be accessible all the time? How do you handle criticism?

You might want to do a search and look at some of the problems folks express about their churches and ministers and learn how they can be avoided as much as possible. Whatever Yahweh ordains, He maintains.

Welcome to the forum.