I'm a Christian, and I ask because I was talking to an old friend earlier this evening, and he mentioned that another one of our old friends had started his own church. My buddy said that he asked the guy why he decided to start up his own church, and the answer he got was simply, "I've got a better way to reach people for God." The guy is a Christian, and has always dedicated his life to serving God. My buddy verified that the church was a Christian church (just to be sure our old friend hadn't went Waco or anything like that.) But knowing this guy as I do, I have no doubt that he believes he has a new technique that will reach more people for God than what's currently available.
So if you had the money, resources, etc. to start a new church, what would you do differently than................well, whatever you think is or isn't being done now. Just curious.
2006-10-05 16:03:31 · 8 answers · asked by dgindiansfan 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I would start by announcing all church services would be outdoors around our tree
I would tell them if they didn't want to give to God then we would not take up a collection and rely on the weather to shelter us
we would meet at soup kitchens and serve others before self
we would ask others to join us 'just because'
we would say all was forgiven and start anew
then we would say that we don't discuss 'God and Politics' in church because it causes fights
we would focus on our compassion, charity and love to others and self
we would have a good time and teach others new skills to be self sufficient, starting with the leader who would then make more skilled followers and learn to support self before asking for handouts
how is that for starters?
2006-10-05 16:08:42 · answer #1 · answered by god_is_real 1 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Lol @ Waco -- so much for the davidians. That's pretty funny and appropriate.
If I could start my own church...
I think I'd like services to be three times a week -- and not on Sunday.
I'd not have water baptisms, but I would do marriages and funerals.
I'd offer myself and my pastors online help via IM chat, probably through our church webpage.
My church would not have any symbols in it -- not even a cross or a dove.
It'd be heavy into Bible Research, we'd use the KJV version and the sermons would be straight from the Word. No heart-warming reader's digest three-legged dog stories.
We'd dress enough for respect, but casual in general.
Lot's of efforts around food -- pot lucks, bar-b-ques, pie eating contests.
The kids would be part of AWANA
Once a year we'd hoist a banner that says, "This church welcomes the Hells Angels" and hope they come.
Zero evangelizing.
Lot's of visits to old folks homes and hospitals.
Services would have a middle half-hour for socializing and coffee, the opening would be songs, the end would be the sermon.
Insist on "sister chapters" and cross-crafting with other churches -- emphasizing the need for ethnic and social and 'core belief' differences (welcomed) because we are all Christians even though we carry different banners.
Bible, Bible, Bible -- it says what it means and it means what it says. Stick to the Word and church should be about fellowship.
2006-10-05 23:40:15 · answer #2 · answered by wrathofkublakhan 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Be open, and attentive to the Holy Spirit. Be in pray and fasting for continuous guidance and direction. Being a leader is a very hard job, you're open to a lot of criticism. Cannot be sensitive and personalize everything. God bless.
2006-10-05 23:16:04 · answer #3 · answered by charmaine f 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'd get rid of everything the church cooked up after the Gospel of Mark except Pelagius.
2006-10-05 23:15:05 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would do nothing different.
1 Cor.11:2
Now I praise you, brethren, that ye REMEMBER THE ORDINANCES, AS I HAVE DELIVERED THEM TO YOU.
Rev. 22:19
And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part OUT OF THE BOOK OF LIFE, AND OUT OF THE HOLY CITY, AND FROM THE THINGS WHICH ARE WRITTEN IN THIS BOOK
2006-10-05 23:13:11 · answer #5 · answered by Rhonda 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I would STAY away from RELIGION! and stay in the WORD!!! and I would base my entire mission to LOVE! I think that one of the biggest problems that churchs have is that they are toooo religious and have to many standards based on tradition! I would stay in the word and bring as many people to Christ as I could
2006-10-05 23:10:18 · answer #6 · answered by comingofage03 4 · 5⤊ 1⤋
Drop the fear -- replace with compassion.
Drop the dogma -- be open to new ways of expressing faith.
Drop the judgments -- it's not our place to judge others.
Drop the "front row" seats -- play musical chairs!
2006-10-05 23:23:34 · answer #7 · answered by ohio healer 5 · 6⤊ 1⤋
I'd invite Jesus in, and it'd be all about Him, what He wants, what He's doing. Nothing could go wrong with that.
2006-10-06 00:38:47 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋