Commencing a new Affinity Church Team 

Developing relationships is always the initial purpose of any conversation with friends or neighbors, even conversation within a group gathering.  An Affinity Church is all about relationship with an extended family and with God. Allowing people to become familiar with us and our purpose, allowing them to see into our lives and discover our own sincerity and genuineness, is the foundation for the development of long term friendships. 

The initial gatherings, of a few unchurched or pre-Christian friends, are not meetings as usual, but are preliminary vision casting and interest builders. There should be a similar pattern to our regular gatherings: a couple of songs, prayer, fellowship, our current project, meeting needs within and outside of the group, plans for the next time and refreshments, but the teaching portion of the gathering is for explanation of the purpose and the objectives of the Affinity Church Network.  Make no mistake about it, you are enticing them to participate in a new Christian experience: a biblical lifestyle development team based on faith principles. 

Decide what evening and what time you're weekly gathering will occur and mark it on your calendar.  You need to plan on being there, since it's at your house. 

Strike up a conversation with a number of your relatives, neighbors, co-workers, friends from other common activities, and people on your Christmas card list.  These invitational conversations are to be fairly short and be either face-to-face or by phone.  This cannot be done by email or a fax.  Some degree of the vision must be communicated, in order to be honest and believable. This entire process is the modern day version of what is described in Luke 10:1-9. 

Determine where the person is spiritually fairly quickly, and tell them what is going to begin to happen over at your house or at a particular home. Invite that person or couple to a planning or description get-together for a new life uplifting personal growth experience.  It's based on the Bible and biblical principles. 

The invitation is critical, since their concept of what you are describing will either perk their interest or completely repel them. 

The first gathering should include some reading material to take home with them.  That should include a description of the Affinity Church Network, as well as the first study mater­ial, textbook and weekly homework assignment. You are expecting a continuation of the relationship. Move the person forward in full expectation of a long-term affinity connection. 

The visitor should go away with a sense of welcome and openness toward them. They should have a good understanding about the difference in a house church and a service at a traditional program based church.  There should be some unanswered questions that they will have to return to the team again, to learn the answers. 

Contact the Affinity Church pastor of the city where you live, or the national office, for some coaching on launching the ministry in your home.  Let them know about your plans, in detail, and then let them know how the gathering went after it happens.  Set up a time to receive coaching and wisdom from someone in the network with experience in this personalized ministry.