10 Steps to Start a Church
Can’t find a church? Can’t find a pastor? You are not alone. Millions of Christians have been in the same place for 2,000 years all over the world…not just in oppressive regimes, but in Christian cultures as well. There can be an absence of safe places to gather where there are no churches or where there are thousands.
It is a control-driven church culture that demands there be theologically trained leaders who are accountable to centralized authorities. That isn’t necessary, and it isn’t required. Don’t be afraid.
So here’s what you do:
1. Choose a place and time…anywhere, anytime, any frequency.
2. Tell your friends who want something like this.
3. Inform them of the intention: church, fellowship, community, worship, prayer, etc.
4. Even if leaderless, appoint a moderator: just someone to keep it centered.
5. Open with a prayer: impromptu, written, ancient, modern, or maybe best…silent.
6. Play a worship song or hymn: live or recorded. No cheese please.
7. Read a passage from the Bible without agenda.
8. Talk about it. Try not to hold to any theological persuasion. Keep it open.
9. Close with prayer…maybe for someone present.
10. Have an end time and promise to keep it.
Please keep it free of goals, vision, and agenda. Don’t recreate what you ran away from.
David Hayward was baptized Anglican as a baby, came to faith in a Baptist church when he was a teenager, changed to Pentecostal in his late teens, married another Pentecostal named Lisa, was ordained Presbyterian, pastored a Vineyard church, and planted others. He has a Masters in Theological Studies from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, as well as a Masters in Religious Studies and Ministry from McGill University in Montreal.
More from David Hayward or visit David at www.nakedpastor.com/
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