Become a Religious Entrepreneur

Opening a Non-Sectarian Church

We've collected some good advice that is written for those of you who hope to start a non-sectarian church. Read these tips before you open up shop.

Thinking about opening a non-sectarian church? We tell you what you need to know to get started.

The Non-Sectarian Church Movement

Many U.S. churches identify themselves as non-sectarian to communicate that they are not aligned with a Christian denomination or sect. But the non-sectarian has taken on a life of its own and often marks churches that inhabit their own, unique organizational category.

For the most part, non-sectarian churches are self-governing, conservative and evangelical. Their reasons for adopting a non-sectarian classification frequently extend beyond governance to include theologies that are free of denominational influences. Yet despite their independent commitments, many non-sectarian voluntarily affiliate with other non-denominational churches in loosely structured associations.

Church planting is entrenched in the DNA of non-sectarian Christianity. Independent church planters routinely break away from existing congregations to launch new ministry works, sometimes without the blessing of the mother congregation. But for religious entrepreneurs, it's difficult to find a spiritual environment more suited to church planting initiatives.

Social Networking for Non-Denominational Church Plants

Social media offers a convenient and effective resource for non-sectarian church planters. Effective church planting typically boils down to the religious entrepreneur's ability to quickly connect with unchurched members of the community and establish relationships that invite participation in services, events and ministry programs.

Social networking sites facilitate relationships and allow church planters to cost-effectively forge relationships with prospective attenders. Facebook alone has given non-sectarian church planters the means to create vibrant virtual communities around their churches.

However, the key is to learn how to use Facebook and other social networking effectively. We recommend visiting Gaebler's suggestions for using Facebook for churches to achieve the maximum benefit from Facebook and other social media websites.

More Advice for Religous Startups

These additional resources regarding starting a religious organization may be of interest to you.

Tips for Marketing a Religious Startup

Top Three Mistakes New Religious Organizations Make

Strategic Planning for a Religious Organization Startup

Share this article


Additional Resources for Entrepreneurs

Lists of Venture Capital and Private Equity Firms

Franchise Opportunities

Contributors

Business Glossary