What Will Our Church Be Like?

(entry written by Kristine)

There's one thing we don't know... and that's everything that is going to be involved in starting a church.
But there is one thing we do know... it will be different.

It will draw people who have never been or have no desire to go to church as we have always known it. Is there anything wrong with traditional church services? Absolutely not. But there is a generation out there desperately needing someone to meet them where they are, not where we are.
Let's face it - we live in a brand new generation of Youtube, reality shows, MySpace, Facebook, iPods, iTunes, internet dating, chat rooms, video games, text messaging, i-Phones and bluetooths! Or is it... blue teeth? lol. There are also people out there who have no idea what any of those terms are, but do know that they have a void that needs to be filled. God has called us to go and get them. Everyone will be welcome. Every age, at every stage of life. We do believe the demographic who will be drawn to the church are the 20, 30 & 40 somethings. The Lord impressed on Josh's heart "to go to the marketplace." So that's what we're going to do. We want to be relevant. To be fun. To be different. To "be love" in a culturally relatable way. Isn't that what Jesus did? It requires a brand new mind set. To think outside the box. To ask ourselves... "If we had never been to church in our lives, and had no desire to ever go, what would draw us?"...and to go from there.

The church will start small. We'll begin meeting at Starbucks - smack dab in the middle of marketplaces all over Naples. As we grow, we will require space and we plan to hold our Sunday morning services at Hollywood 20 Theater in Naples. A very cool venue - a familiar place that most every person in Naples has been. A strategic door into their hearts. We're planning for three theaters, one for adults, one for youth, and one for children. Infants and toddlers will also have a special place with teachers & learning relevant to their little hearts and minds.

Every church member will be plugged into a small group which will meet throughout the city at Starbucks, Calistoga, Panera, anyplace with couches or chairs & tables and a welcoming atmosphere. Again... right in the middle of the marketplace. Are you seeing the vision? Of course, small groups may also take place in homes. These meetings are going to be where the majority of our individual spiritual growth takes place. We will be coaching & training small group leaders to effectively foster an environment of biblical learning and growth, where the truth is not watered down and life issues are met head on. Accountability will be in effect, and needs will be met.

Different classes will also be offered. These will most likely take place in the homes of leaders throughout the city of Naples so that church-goers will be trained and equipped. But with that will be an unrelenting focus on evangelism. We refuse to be comfortable and complacent. We refuse to let the information come in and not go out. We have hands and feet, and we need to use them. At every church meeting and small group meeting we will encourage you to individually reach your world in your sphere of influence daily, and we will also organize church-wide community group efforts to impact our city. We are going to reach our area and the surrounding areas strategically - untraditionally.

Of course, this is just the beginning. We realize that the ideas God has given us will grow, and even change a bit, but the vision in the midst of all of it will remain. We are only about 6 weeks into this and we are already seeing God's hand at work as he sends us blessing after blessing. Our hearts are so full we can hardly contain it, and though we're still dealing with the emotions of leaving the only church we have known and loved we are so excited about the days ahead.