Anyone ever started their own church?

[mandyky]

I am day dreaming about that powerball jackpot and the feasibility of starting a UU type church.

Does anyone know how states recognize "religions"? I heard Texas took status away from UU in that state.

[Maat]

1. I think you should.

I was going to, but I found the perfect belief system (faith) for me:

www.rsintl.org (Religious Science).

But we are Universalists, like the UU's, and honor all paths.

So, I'd celebrate your new organization!

Hey, Mandy, did you ever take the test on this site?

www.beliefnet.com (the Belief-o-Matic).

I always come up 100% UU, because I honor all paths. Found out that wasn't the only Universalist choice, however.

[intheflow]

2. Look up "house church" and "church cells."

You will have to wade through tons and tons of awful fundamentalist Christian language and theology, but these are the two phrases that are most used when talking about forming new church communities. Oftentimes they a referring to splitting off from a megachurch, or giving megachurch members more intimate experiences, but the movements have good organizing strategies. A kind of UU equivalent would be to search under "covenant group."

Another church-starting strategy I've heard about was from my friend & her husband, both Lutheran pastors. They went door-to-door in an area around Denver where new sub-divisions were popping up left and right, inviting people to their start-up meeting. They got 30 people their first meeting, and within a couple months were holding regular services at a local HS gym on Sunday mornings. Now, less than 4 years later, they have a church building and about 200 members. But they also had some backing from the Lutheran Church of America.

Out of curiosity, why are you looking to start a "UU type church," and not a UU church? It would be easier to start any kind of church with some denominational backing.

BTW, the Texas town clerk that tried to rule that UUism wasn't a religion was overruled. Even other Texans had their bullshit meter go off on that one! LOL!

[mandyky]

3. on reasons to start a new church

do you watch Judging Amy - One episode was about a Wiccan woman and the Wiccans said she wasn't their type ( because they were trying to gain credibility). I am really anti-organized religion. UU is better than most.

[supernova]

4. I've pondered this lately

Mostly because while I am deeply spiritual, regular church services are leaving me feeling unfullfilled lately. Mostly it's a hierarchy issue: The standard setup of Leader at the Pulpit and the congregation audience who sits in the stands.

I'm tired of sitting in the stands.. er... pews and covering the same territory every year --- the same bible verses (well, there is a limit to that) at the same time each year (my current church follows a lectionary), the same hymns, year in and year out. I don't seem to be progressing in my understanding there.

I need a more active practice of some kind. When I think about the early house churches, in the case of early xtianity, this seems to be more my speed. Just a small group of people who get together to study/ discuss and share a meal.

I don't know what kind of church does this though.

[Maat]

5. Have you tried:

1. United Church of Christ
www.ucc.org or

2. a Unity church or

3. a Unitarian-Universalist church ( www.uua.org )?

[LWolf]

6. I am supremely uncomfortable in churches.

I don't know if it is the decade's worth of bad experiences with the first husband's dysfunctional fundamentalist family and their church, or if it is my own adamant, defiant independence that will not allow me to "follow" anyone's doctrine, or my introvert/loner avoidance of large groups, or a combination of all 3.

I attended a spiritual cinema event at a church of religious science last year; the first time I'd darkened the door of a church in 20 years. It wasn't a service. I was looking forward to attending. I drove around the block a couple of times and steeled myself to walk in. I sat in the very back by the door, enjoyed the movie, and left while they were still saying "thanks for coming." I skipped the food and fellowship after. I'd recognized some well-respected and liked people in the audience. I didn't even stop to say hello.

At the same time, I'm a deeply spiritual person. I just seem to "connect" best away from other people. I really don't think I need regular attendance anywhere. I like to attend interfaith services once or twice a year. I like to attend sweat lodges and drum circles whenever I can find them. That seems to be more than enough for me.

[Ranec]

7. On the Texas story--

The decision was that UU wasn't a "religion" was overturned relatively quickly. I can't find the original news report, but here is a blog article

http://www.offthekuff.com/mt/archives/003534.html

In fact, I know my UU congregation goes out of its way to never call itself a church. There are a lot of members who are very senstive to the language of organized religions.