Starting a congregation

So. I want to start a congregation / assembly in my local area. Any advice on how to get started?

For example: what is a reasonable amount to pay for rent for a building? I've found a tentative place, but it's $1000 a month, 1800 sq ft and a great setup / location.

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Permalink Reply by James Trimm on March 23, 2011 at 11:26am

Can you afford that? How many people do you have to start with? Is the place so large that it will make the group look to small? A small group looks larger in a home, but people hesitate to come to home groups, they feel intrusive. Do you have a plan to advertise and grow the group?

Perhaps I can advise you. If you email me your phone number and good times to call, I can try to call you.

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Permalink Reply by J. Jury (אליהוא) on March 23, 2011 at 11:47am

Well there are a few offices in the back (and upstairs) that I was thinking I could rent out and help cover some of the cost, and a place up front where I could put a retail storefront to sell Bibles, DVD's, music, etc (and maybe a coffee stand, not sure). That would operate during the weekdays when we weren't meeting, so there's a little extra income too.

The place would practically advertise itself- the location is totally awesome. Tons of auto and foot traffic. Plus I would do a substantial amount of of "word of mouth" advertising. I know a lot of people. :-) And when all else fails, I try Craigslist.

I had a really cool Bible study going in the last house I lived in. Probably about 15-20 people attended regularly, and we met in my home. The only problem with home meetings is that I feel that I am extremely cautious about who I bring in to a place that is supposed to be "safe" for my family- and there are certainly a lot of crazies out there. Know what I mean?

I would love to hear any advice you can throw my way- I'll PM my number to you.

James Trimm said:

Can you afford that? How many people do you have to start with? Is the place so large that it will make the group look to small? A small group looks larger in a home, but people hesitate to come to home groups, they feel intrusive. Do you have a plan to advertise and grow the group?

Perhaps I can advise you. If you email me your phone number and good times to call, I can try to call you.

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Permalink Reply by 命 on March 23, 2011 at 12:41pm

"The only problem with home meetings is that I feel that I am extremely cautious about who I bring in to a place that is supposed to be "safe" for my family- and there are certainly a lot of crazies out there. Know what I mean?"

I was just struck by the truth you shared here.
I would love to study with other people regularly and in pre-planned sessions, and would desire the same relationship with my family, but I would probably have trouble putting the two groups together.
You're right, there are people out there (dogmatic, self-secure people, elitists and non-Hebrew speaking Hebraicists) who would make such a bad impression my family and other seekers so as to scare them off.

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Permalink Reply by James Trimm on March 23, 2011 at 1:52pm

Some ideas for local assemblies:

1. Have a guest book near the front door and encourage them to sign in with
their name, address, phone and email address, or pass out cards for guests to
fill out… then mail them a letter or card thanking them for their visit, and be
prepared to follow up but calling them in the future. You also develop a
mailing list for special events.

2. A freebie for guests. A guest packet, a pamphlet or two along with a free CD
or DVD teaching.

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Permalink Reply by James Trimm on March 23, 2011 at 1:53pm

Q: How do I start a Nazarene Torah study?

* Open your home to a few friends for an evening Scripture study.

* Print and distribute copies of the “Free Bible Quiz” at http://www.lulu.com/nazarene with your address and meeting time written on each copy. Distribute them as widely as you can, put them on doors and under windshield wipers.

* Take 10 to 15 minutes before opening for some get-to-know each other time. (This is only needed in new groups or when there are visitors). Go around the room asking an ice breaking question. Below are a list to work from:

When did "God" become more than a word to you?
What was your religious upbringing?
What is your favorite book of the Bible? (Why?)

* Using the free booklets, free bible course and “blog” articles from WNAE at http://www.lulu.com/nazarene and http://www.nazarenespace.com teach the truth of Torah and Messiah to the group.

* Start at the beginning… teach the first nine chapters of Genesis as a starter for Gentiles in order to introduce them to the Seven Laws of Noah and ultimately the rest of the Torah.

* Close with prayer

* Fellowship and refreshments.

ATTITUDE: Always welcome everyone. Do not be negative. Maintain Torah as truth and freedom and as a thing to rejoice in. Also, If you do start a group in your home let us know. We are keeping a list of the study groups and will be corresponding with them in particular concerning Nazarene Judaism.

If you have any questions in regards to Nazarene Torah Study Groups, please contact us: Email: cleartruth@yahoo.com

Don't delay. Get a Nazarene Torah Study Group started in your home. We will help you with the details.