You're starting a church?

In a time when more and more churches are closing their doors, it does not make a ton of sense to most people when I tell them I am trying to start a new one. 'Aren't there are plenty of churches already?' 'Why would you start another church when so many are practically empty?'

The questions are fair, and (shameless plug ahead) I hope to talk about them more at our . But for now, let me just make two quick points.

1. A church is not a building: If you grew up in a church or in a 'church-going' culture it's hard to separate the word "church" from the large cathedrals or cinder block buildings that seem relatively useless Monday-Saturday each week. However, when Jesus spoke the words "I will build my church" he was not talking about expanding his carpentry business. In greek (the original language of the New Testament) the word for church is ekklesia which literally means "assembly" or "called out people." It is a term referring to a community, not a structure.

My hope in pastoring Christ the King, is that we would become a community where people from all backgrounds can live life together. We will assemble on Sunday to celebrate and worship, but the rest of the week is when the church has the opportunity to shine. Seven days a week helping one another make it through the ups and downs of life, cooking meals when people are sick, babysitting when couples need to get out for a date night, praying together, or just drinking a beer and watching a game.   

2. Where is your church? If you are like most Massachusetts residents then you have not been to church in a long time. In fact, the thought of it is rather unappealing (http://www.pewforum.org/How-Religious-Is-Your-State-.aspx). Put all those thoughts aside for just a moment and consider this question. If you were to attend a church, which one would it be? Where is your church? JP and Roxbury are rapidly changing neighborhoods. Each generation has seen major demographic shifts racially, economically, and culturally. 

The great advantage of a new church is that we can begin with a focus on the current state of the community. Christ the King will be a church focused on having leadership that represents the present multicultural reality of our neighborhood, genuine relationships that exist amidst the technological complexity and disconnectedness of our daily lives, and humility and love for a neighborhood (and the other churches) that has a lot to teach us.

If you want to find out more about Christ the King

• Check out our website www.ctkneighborhoodchurch.org
• Like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/ctkneighborhoodchurch
• Check out our events page listing 

PS. A pastor I admire wrote this article on why new churches are a good thing. If you have more questions about the implications of a new church in the neighborhood, click this link. http://download.redeemer.com/pdf/learn/resources/Why_Plant_Churches-Keller.pdf