The cruciality of community
On the night before his death (John 13ff), Jesus said that the purpose of his death was to form a new community. His disciples were to become a new humanity which was to be a 'demonstration plot' of the kingdom of God. In their relationships to one another, and in the way they related together to the rest of the world, they were to be a sign that Jesus is the Lord who is going to redeem all of creation. Christian community is a comprehensive and distinct way to be human in deep relationship with others who have been transformed by the gospel.

Everything is a sermon. When you meet, where you meet, and how you meet are all proclaiming something about your perception of God and your new congregation. Therefore, in selecting a facility a new church plant is doing a great deal more than simply finding a place to house a gathering. You are crafting a sermon, and in crafting that sermon there are multiple variables to consider according to your priorities. The following booklet is intended to be a practical means of aiding young churches as they consider a physical home for their gathering(s). The information is collected over a few years of personal struggle as our young new church met in four locations at four different service times in the first two years.