Part 1 - What do you put on the blank sheet of paper when launching a new church???

When Gateway Church was being formed, before we launched (we went public on Easter Sunday 2011), we had a blank sheet of paper about how we might function as a local church. Of course, the blank sheet of paper soon began to fill up, as we considered what is binding upon us by God's Word. In other words, what must we include - no matter how new a church we are? But then we still had some blank space to fill in where Scripture is silent or at least where it's negotiable. Yes, ultimately, as a local Christian church, there are areas of belief and practise which are essential, which without, our constitution as a Christian church would be in doubt. Instead, we would be labelled as some cult or sect and rightly so. On the other-hand there are areas of belief and practise which are non-essential.

So for example, at one Gateway pre-launch meeting we examined 2 Timothy chapter 3.10-4.5. We discovered that some things are better ‘caught’ than ‘taught’ (verses 10-13). The Apostle Paul said to Timothy, without spelling it out, ‘Watch me’ (v10). We need to say (at least in our minds) to unbelievers or young Christians – you want to see the difference Jesus makes to life then ‘watch me’. Who is going to teach others to clean up their foul language or treat their family with respect (e.g. wives/girlfriends) or to pray or how to handle pressure? YOU ARE! These things can and should be taught, but often are better caught, by others watching you. So holy living, becoming more like Jesus, is an essential and is mandated throughout the Bible. As a Christian, empowered by the Holy Spirit, it should be a delight!

In chapter 3.14-17 we recognised the privilege of those who have been nurtured in a Christian home which is awesome and puts children in good stead for later years (v14-15).  Biological growth is just as important as Conversion growth. We are not into Transfer growth, better known as sheep-stealing from other local churches, unless it's absolutely obvious it's the right thing!

Then in verse 16, we saw the purpose of Scripture. It’s God-breathed – everything is there because God intended it to be there. We need Scripture to guide us in starting a new church – teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness. We are bound by Scripture, especially where is it clear and plain, e.g. *Jesus is the Son of God, *Jesus is the exclusive way to God, heaven and eternal life - there is no other alternative, *the Bible is the supreme authority over all other authorities, because it is the Word of God, *marriage is between one man and one woman for life - not same-sex as being advocated by the present UK Government. These and many other beliefs are foundational, that we cannot budge from because the Bible is so clear about it. Therefore, a faithful church and individual Christians should put these truths into practise.

But also we are free to change our thinking on ‘church’ not mandated by God’s Word – otherwise we would end up worshipping tradition and not Jesus Christ. Examples of tradition not commanded by Scripture is the type of venue/building, the style of music, the structure of the church, collection of money. This where the remaining blank sheet is completed, but looked at through the lens of context and culture, as well as theology.

Gateway, which has now been in the public sphere, for just over a year has the following features:

We still meet on a Sunday, which most people still have as a day off from work, but at 4.00pm. Why 4.00pm? Our thinking is, if we are trying to reach new people in Barnsley, then Sunday morning is either a ‘sleep-in’, or ‘the kids are playing football’, or ‘it’s a trip to Meadowhall’. Sunday evenings are no good, especially if you are seeking to reach families with children. So 4.00pm is as convenient time as possible. The Bible does not stipulate what time your new church must meet, so be as strategically relevant as possible.

We meet in a football stadium. Why? At the time, we needed to find a culturally relevant building. We met once in the Civic buildings, then moved to the upstairs room of the Chambers Pub in Barnsley town. Essentially we needed two rooms, one big enough for everyone, then a second room allocated for the kids work, as part of the Gateway Sunday meeting. The opportunity arose to meet at Barnsley Football Club which meets these requirements and we also have a reception area for the welcome upon arrival and buffet food. All in all, we are pleased with what we get for the rent fee, although our long-term vision is to be right in the town centre, but that's another post for another time. As you can imagine there are advantages to meeting at the town's stadium. Whilst the New Testament term for 'church' always means the gathering of the people, the building and the venue is important for your main gathering place. The Bible does not stipulate where you should meet, so be as strategically relevant as possible.

At our Gateway Sunday meeting, we do not have any hymn or song books. For starters, which books would we choose? Plus it costs money. We simply select some contemporary songs on Power Point and play them through the PA system and sing along if we can. We ensure that those who don't know the songs, which sometimes can be most of us, feel comfortable just listening and hopefully pick it up as we go along. The lyrics are more important than the tune, because we are singing God's truths to each other, but the tune does help to lodge the words in our hearts. Most of the songs are 'band style' which especially appeals to the younger generations. Yes, it is deliberate we don't sing to an organ, holding a hymn book, although that might be strategically relevant elsewhere. Who knows, we might be blessed in the course of time, to have our own band of musicians. We have one musician - which is a start! The Bible does not stipulate what style of music you should adopt, so be as strategically relevant as possible as you sing to God and to each other.

Another example is money. Whilst is essential is that people do financially support the mission, but the Bible does not mandate the precise way to give. So far, we have never taken up a collection at the Sunday meeting! Rather people give discreetly with cash (discreetly is what Jesus taught) via the treasurer or appropriate alternative, or people give by standing order (the majority). Our message, as we think of newcomers at Gateway, is we're not after your money to replace the broken stained-glass window! But we do emphasise, at the right moments, generous giving in proportion to ones income.

So whilst there are many examples of biblical mandates that all Christians/local churches are to put into action including: evangelism, prayer, sacraments (Baptism and Lord’s Supper), holy living, unity amongst church members, there is still some blank space on the paper which moves us on to think more contextually and culturally about starting a new church. The Apostle Paul was very strategic when planting new churches. He headed straight for the big cities, which makes sense - to launch Christianity where the most people are gathered!

So we are to be faithful to the biblical mandate in the essentials, the non-negotiable, and we are to learn from church history (don’t make the same mistakes). But we are to be relevant to our generation. The Apostle Paul said, ‘I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some’ (1 Corinthians 9.22).

Some more examples will follow in the next post, and the biggie: what do you decide about the policy on baptism, when there are strong views either way about the inclusion of infant baptism amongst the core team of a new church! Is this a recipe to a church spilt or is there an alternative?

Finally, returning to 2 Timothy, chapter 4.1-5, ‘Preach the Word, be prepared in season and out of season’ (v2). We proclaim Jesus not only from the ‘pulpit’ but also over the garden fence when chatting to the neighbour. We are to speak what God has spoken, sometimes when it’s inconvenient! Now that really is essential!