First Steps on Your Church Journey
Start a Local Meetup Group
(Cost to start the group is tax-deductible)
Welcome to Church
Starting a church can indeed be both difficult and rewarding. It requires careful planning, dedication, and a deep sense of purpose. By creating a branch of the Church of the Best Possible World you can take advantage of our tax-except 501(c)3 status, as long as your group aligns with our values and meets our standards of transparency and accountability.
Here are a few considerations and steps to help you get started:
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Clarify Your Vision: Clearly define the purpose, mission, and values of your church. What kind of spiritual community do you want to create? What are your goals and aspirations? Write them down to have a clear direction.
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Gather a Core Team: Find like-minded individuals who share your vision and are willing to commit to the church's establishment. They can provide support, guidance, and help you with the various tasks involved.
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Develop a Business Plan: Treat your church as an organization and create a comprehensive business plan. Outline your strategies for growth, outreach, finances, and sustainability. This plan will help you stay focused and organized.
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Legal Considerations: Research the legal requirements for establishing a religious organization in your country or state. This may include registering as a nonprofit, applying for tax-exempt status, and complying with local regulations.
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Location and Facilities: Determine whether you will start the church in a rented space or if you have the resources to acquire a permanent facility. Consider the size, accessibility, and suitability of the location for your congregation's needs.
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Financial Planning: Develop a budget and explore funding options for your church. This may involve seeking donations, applying for grants, or organizing fundraisers. Ensure you have a sustainable financial plan to support the ongoing operations of the church.
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Community Engagement: Engage with the local community to build relationships and create awareness about your church. Consider organizing events, social programs, and outreach activities to connect with people and make a positive impact.
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Worship Services and Programs: Plan the format and content of your worship services, as well as any additional programs or ministries you want to offer. Develop a schedule and consider how to make your services inclusive, engaging, and spiritually uplifting.
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Build a Support Network: Cultivate relationships with other religious leaders, organizations, and the wider community. Collaborating with other churches and community groups can provide support, resources, and opportunities for growth.
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Continuous Learning and Adaptation: Starting a church is an ongoing process of learning and adaptation. Stay open to feedback, seek knowledge and guidance from experienced mentors or leaders, and be willing to make necessary adjustments along the way.
Remember, the process of starting a church requires time, commitment, and patience. It can be challenging, but the rewards of building a spiritual community and positively impacting people's lives can make it a deeply fulfilling endeavor.
Step 1: Create a Meetup/Eventbrite group
(or College student group)
The first step will be to build an interested and committed community. To do this you can start a meetup group on meetup.com, and host regular events
Events can include:
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Meetings discussions the objective morality of the BPW, and comparing/contrasting it with other world religions.
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Host online or onstage debates and interfaith conversation with community leaders, youtubers, other popular figures
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Community service
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Sunday Call-in show
Other helpful social media sources:
Discord (the TJump discord may have many people in your area with a similar interest: discord.gg/tjump)
Facebook groups
Creating a successful Meetup group involves careful planning, effective organization, and thoughtful engagement. Here are some steps to help you create and grow a thriving Meetup group:
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Define Your Group's Purpose: Clearly identify the purpose and focus of your Meetup group. Choose a specific topic or interest that you're passionate about and ensure it aligns with the needs and interests of potential members.
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Choose a Catchy Name and Description: Select an appealing and descriptive name for your Meetup group that captures the essence of what it offers. Write a compelling description that clearly communicates the group's goals, activities, and benefits.
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Set Up Your Meetup Group: Create an account on Meetup.com and set up your group. Provide all the necessary information, including the group's name, description, location, and relevant tags to attract the right audience.
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Plan Engaging Events: Organize interesting and diverse events that align with your group's purpose. Consider a mix of activities, such as workshops, social gatherings, presentations, panel discussions, or outings. Ensure the events cater to the preferences and needs of your target audience.
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Create a Schedule: Establish a consistent schedule for your events, whether it's monthly, biweekly, or weekly. This helps members anticipate and plan for upcoming activities, making it easier for them to participate regularly.
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Promote Your Meetup Group: Spread the word about your Meetup group through various channels. Leverage social media platforms, local community websites, relevant forums, and word-of-mouth to attract potential members. Encourage your existing members to invite their friends and colleagues who might be interested.
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Engage with Members: Actively engage with your members by responding to inquiries, feedback, and suggestions promptly. Encourage open communication and create a welcoming and inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and heard.
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Utilize Meetup Tools: Take advantage of Meetup's built-in tools and features to enhance your group's visibility and engagement. Utilize features like polls, discussion boards, and member testimonials to encourage interaction and participation.
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Seek Collaborations: Collaborate with other Meetup groups or organizations with similar interests. Co-hosting events or participating in joint activities can help expand your reach and attract a broader audience.
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Encourage Member Contributions: Foster a sense of ownership and participation by encouraging members to contribute their ideas, skills, and expertise. Give them opportunities to lead events, share their knowledge, or suggest new activities. This promotes a sense of community and helps build lasting connections.
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Evaluate and Adapt: Continuously evaluate the success of your Meetup group by tracking attendance, member feedback, and engagement levels. Adapt your approach based on what works best for your group and make adjustments as needed to ensure continued growth and success.
Remember, building a successful Meetup group takes time and effort. Be patient, stay committed, and focus on providing value to your members. With dedication and a genuine passion for your chosen topic, your Meetup group can thrive and become a vibrant community.
Step 2: Grow Membership
Growing a meetup group involves various strategies and efforts to attract new members and engage existing ones. Here are some effective tips to help you grow your meetup group:
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Clearly Define Your Group's Purpose: Ensure that your meetup group has a clear and compelling purpose or theme. Define the group's focus, whether it's based on a specific interest, hobby, profession, or cause. This will attract like-minded individuals who are genuinely interested in participating.
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Optimize Your Meetup Group Page: Create an appealing and informative meetup group page. Use high-quality images, a catchy description, and relevant keywords to optimize your group's visibility in search results. Include details about upcoming events, member benefits, and the group's mission to generate interest.
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Promote Your Meetup Group: Utilize various marketing channels to promote your meetup group. Leverage social media platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram, to share updates, event announcements, and engaging content related to your group's theme. Consider running targeted online ads or partnering with local organizations to reach a wider audience.
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Organize Engaging and Valuable Events: Plan and host interesting and valuable events for your meetup group. Ensure that the events align with the interests of your target audience and offer something unique or educational. Consider inviting guest speakers, hosting workshops, or organizing group activities to keep members engaged and attract new attendees.
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Encourage Member Participation: Actively engage with your group members and encourage their participation. Respond promptly to inquiries, address member concerns, and foster a welcoming and inclusive environment. Encourage members to suggest event ideas, provide feedback, and share their experiences to foster a sense of community.
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Collaborate with Other Meetup Groups: Explore collaboration opportunities with other meetup groups or organizations with similar interests. Jointly organize events, cross-promote each other's groups, or exchange guest speakers to reach a broader audience and build connections within the community.
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Utilize Member Referrals: Encourage existing members to refer friends, colleagues, or acquaintances who may be interested in joining the group. Offer incentives, such as exclusive content or discounts, for successful referrals. Word-of-mouth referrals can be a powerful way to grow your meetup group organically.
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Seek Local Partnerships: Establish partnerships with local businesses, community centers, or organizations that align with your group's theme. They may be interested in sponsoring events, providing venues, or promoting your meetup group to their networks, thereby expanding your reach.
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Analyze and Adapt: Regularly review your meetup group's performance and analyze the effectiveness of your strategies. Monitor attendance, engagement, and feedback from members to identify areas for improvement. Adapt your approach based on member preferences and evolving trends to ensure ongoing growth and success.
Remember, growing a meetup group takes time and consistent effort. Stay committed, provide value to your members, and actively promote your group to attract new attendees. Building a vibrant community requires patience, dedication, and continuous engagement.
Step 3: Purchasing Church Facility
Once you have an affordable housing project, you can use the income to fund a church facility.
Step 4: Purchasing a Building for Affordable/Lower-cost Housing
Once you have regular membership, you can start saving for an apartment complex (we suggest at least $200,000).
