an church
So. How does one go about starting a church? I don't mean starting a new religion. I know how to do that. I mean a church - a local fellowship of people that come together to worship Christ. How does one do that? Where does one start? Rent a hall, send out flyers and knock on doors? Hire a billboard?
It seems a bit elusive to me.
I've started businesses. I've started a family. I've even started a fight or two. But a church? I have no idea how you do that.
You may be wondering why I am even asking this.
I am not trained to be a minister. I don't have a seminary education. I have not been ordained by any denomination. I can't read Greek or Hebrew. I'm not even confident that I am the best public speaker in the world. I have a bad attitude lots of the time, I drink a little alcohol, smoke the odd cigar and generally don't like hanging out with church people.
So, even I have wondered why I want to know how to start a church.
But, here's the thing. Jesus is amazing to me. Just amazing. And the way he lived his life on earth and the things he taught have imposed on me a vision of how my life should be. I am being transformed. And I have a vision of his kingdom that I can't get away from. I feel compelled to live it out.
Feeling compelled to live out the Kingdom of Heaven is not a reason to start a church. In fact, it is a great reason to *join* a church and get with others who are trying to live it out. Right?
I wish it were that easy.
I can't find a place to live it out. I can't find a group of people who share my vision or my world view. There are a lot of great christians out there and a lot of fine churches. I am having trouble finding one that is focused on the kingdom and apply it in a way that is in integrity with my vision.
I know, there is a lot of "my" in the statements above and it is not all about me. It is about God. Yeah. OK. But, at the end of the day, I have to answer to God. I don't get to point at you and say, "but they told me it was OK" or "I was just doing what the group thought we should do!" Something tells me if that is your argument you get the old, "Depart from me I never knew you" and I did not come this far to hear that!
I am a starter. I am a developer and a builder. I am not a great employee, but I love running a business. I am not a great follower, but I love to lead. I was not a great son as a kid, but I love being a father.
I don't know how else to get at the burden on my heart and to realize the vision I have without making it a reality--without starting something.
So, how does one go about it?
