If you were going to start a small church, how would you go about it? With prayer and counsel from a local pastor, what else would you do?

Would you start a small Bible study group and then when you have enough people look for a church?

Would you hold evangelistic meetings and then start a church from the people who were baptized?

Would you rent a church and and then wait for them to come?
(With advertising on the radio and newspaper)

What other ideas do you have concerning this?

Norman

A very interesting and important question, friend Norman. Starting a church would require several steps. First, you need some place to meet for fellowship. that can be in a home, for starters. You would need to build up a core group. It could start with a couple of people, and might take some time to build up. Fellowship activities such as inductive, life application Bible study series, weekly meals together, other activities, will be important to strengthen the group bond.

As you are doing that, go on a recruiting drive in the area. A two-mile radius around where you are meeting, is a good place to start. Make flyers, and pass them out. Do community surveys. Offer health and lifestyle classes. Do things to reach out to those in need. Build a positive reputation for your ministry, in the community.

Once you have a core of, say, 10 to 12 good, solid people in your group, and have done some PR work in the community, then is the time to conduct an evangelistic series. The people who accept the message will need to have that core group, to connect with. Trying to start a church with a group of new believers who do not know each other, can be problematic. As you outgrow your meeting location, people in the group will take the initiative of looking for larger locations. Make an effort to conduct administration in such a way that the group feels ownership. Skillfully guide the study and group activities. With God's blessing, you can jump to 25 in the group, and become a church company, and from there, continue growing into a full-fledged church. If you would like more info, PM me. This is a topic of special interest for me, and something I am working with presently.

Regards, Dave

Dave

Thanks for this wise advice, I will use it as we go and when I need, I will PM you. At this time we only have Denise, myself and another woman who is not an SDA but believes in the Sabbath and foot washing. We are doing Bible studies with her (2 so far) and this Sabbath she is coming to church (I will be preaching at our former sister church in the area) and we look forward for her to meet with other SDAs.
Pray for us.

Norman

Abba bless you on this endeavor Norman.

Listen close... He's got some surprises in store.

Clio

Just be aware that if you start a new church:

1. It is usually true that anyone who is disgrunteled with your current church will want to join yours, which can cause big problems, no matter which side of the fence they are on ("liberal" or "conservative" and I dislike labels.)

2. Unless your church grows quickly, you will also have fellowship needs. So you may want to keep attending your current church and have your church plant meet in the afternoon. This also makes it seeker friendly as people often sleep in on their day off...and aren't interested in changing that unless they have a really good reason.

3.Expect some flack from well meaning people as they will think you are leaving because of a grudge...not because you wish to plant a church. There have been so many "groups" that have "left" and only congregated with those who "agree with them" that they have a legitimate reason to question you.(Even though that is not my impression of you at all.)

4. Work closely with your pastor.

Hiu Clio,

Thanks for the encouragement.

Norman

Hi Taylor,

The current church I attend is great, it's small and everyone gets along. I'm sure there may be some little problems here and there but nothing major.

To be honest I will not like leaving my church. I'm the head elder there and I preach and teach and love our members.

If there are any situations that come up I'll know the root of it and we'll just have to press on. I have spoken to my pastor about this and he's for it and I want his help. I want to do everything according to God's will and if at anytime someone else needs to do anything that will advance the cause of God I am ready to assist. Also I don't see this as my project but am waiting to see the Lord guide and I will follow.

There are many things I know about but this isn't one of them. We had our 2nd study with an older woman who goes to sunday church but believes in the Sabbath and foot washing. I already told her that I've wanted to start a SDA church here in Eatonton. I'm not sure if I mentioned it here but she called Denise and I a few days after I told her that, and said she knew of a church that was being renovated which just happens to be about 5 miles from where we live!

Please pray for us here in Eatonton.

Norman

Hi Norman,

I do hope you didn't think my post was negative about what you are wanting to do. I think church plants are wonderful! I have just seen my points above, become issues or "pains" for those who are planting the church (like disgrunteled members who have a bone to pick...suddenly showing up at the new church plant). True our churches need to be for everyone, but some people cna be so difficult that it can make the church plant project slow down.

It is wonderful you go to such a great church. Most of my experiences with SDA churches no matter where I have lived have been wonderful as well!

I am so glad that you are willing to step out and plant something new in your area! May God abundantly bless your efforts!!! And for the record, I am a bit envious. Sounds like fun! (I live in an area where they are SOOO many SDA churches within 20 square miles that church planting is not something I will be getting to do anytime soon. But I think it would be a learning, rewarding, and exciting experience.)

Have a great day! Keep us posted on how it goes for you.

This forum is such perfect timing...as is God's will!
Curt and I live in a small town in the Idaho panhandle along the North-South route. We drive 45 miles either direction to church, but there are a number of Sabbath-keepers in our canyon that would be financialy strained to make that journey.
Recently, our church family prayerfully decided to move ahead and rent a Sunday church for which I occassionally play piano when their pianist is gone. The Lord moved upon them to rent to us for a very reasonable price and we started a "branch Sabbath School" We started January 4, and each successive week our attendance is growing by one, two, or three.
Your posts have already inspired us...we (Curt and I) are looking forward to more.
Please pray that our group will be led by the Spirit and the Word and that we will be a light to our community as we share the good news of Jesus' love.

Hi Taylor,

Quote:

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I do hope you didn't think my post was negative about what you are wanting to do.

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No I didn't think that, I wanted to let you know what our church was like without saying, "Our church is not like that" and sounding proud or presumptious.

We do have a wonderful church and I am thankful that we are part of it. Even though I don't want to be "in charge", of this new work, I will be in a leadership role. I am careful about God's work. Even in our church now, I (by the authority and grace given me as an elder) have to protect the pulpit, the activity in the church and the spiritual health of the members and I must carry this on in this new work.

We are still at the Bible study stage with just one person but we are praying that this will grow. I want to be ready when it does.

Norman