Start an Expression in Your City
Our gatherings are simple, meaningful, Jesus-centered communities that meet in bars, coffee shops, restaurants, homes, and other everyday spaces. If you feel called to create a place where people can explore faith without judgment, you’re in the right place.
Our Launch Journey
PHASE 1 - DISCERN
“Am I being called to start a Launching Faith Gathering?”
Before you plan, invite, or gather - pause. Launching Faith gatherings begin long before the first meeting: with prayer, listening, and discernment.
SECTION 1 - Understanding the Heart of Launching Faith
This is not about building something impressive; it’s about creating space where Jesus can meet people honestly.
Contents:
Core vision from the book
Why gatherings happen in everyday spaces
What Launching Faith is (and isn’t)
The difference between a gathering and a traditional church model
Your posture as a host, not a performer
SECTION 4 - 7-Day Prayer & Listening Guide
Daily themes:
Day 1 — Surrender
Day 2 — Listening
Day 3 — Compassion for People
Day 4 — Courage vs Fear
Day 5 — Patience
Day 6 — Alignment with God’s Pace
Day 7 — Peace & Confirmation
SECTION 2 - The Calling Reflection
Reflection prompts:
Your Story - Why does this matter to you personally?
The People - What kind of people feel drawn to you naturally?
The Burden - What breaks your heart about faith or church today?
The Invitation - Are you trying to build something… or respond to something God is already doing?
SECTION 5 - Signs of Calling & Timing
✔️ Signs You May Be Ready
You feel drawn toward people, not ministry success
Conversations are already happening naturally
You feel peace even without a plan
⚠️ Signs to Slow Down
Trying to prove something
Burnout or exhaustion
Hoping this will “fix” your church pain
SECTION 3 - Readiness Assessment
Categories:
Spiritual Readiness - Am I rooted spiritually right now?
Relational Readiness - Am I comfortable with conversation over control?
Emotional Readiness - Can I lead without needing results?
Practical Readiness - Time availability, Energy level, Support system
SECTION 6 - You Don’t Discern Alone
Discernment happens best in community.
Before launching anything, talk with someone you trust.
PHASE 2 — Launch
Starting a Gathering Where Life Happens
This phase guides you through the practical steps to launch your first gathering - not perfectly, but faithfully.
SECTION 1 - Preparing For Launch
Launch Readiness Checklist (Quick Version)
Choosing the Right Gathering Space Guide
Defining Your First Circle Worksheet
SECTION 4 - The First Month Plan
Simple weekly rhythm:
Week 1 — Start Small
Focus on connection.
Week 2 — Deepen Conversation
Normalize honesty.
Week 3 — Invite Ownership
Ask others to help host.
Week 4 — Establish Rhythm
Set a consistent next step.
SECTION 2 - Planning Your First Gathering
Simple Gathering Flow Template
Conversation Starter Pack (First 4 Gatherings)
The Host, Not the Expert Guide
Hospitality & Emotional Safety Checklist
SECTION 5 - Early Challenges Guide
“When It Feels Awkward” Guide
Avoiding Early Burnout
SECTION 3 - Hosting Posture (VERY “You”)
The Host, Not the Expert Guide
Hospitality & Emotional Safety Checklist
SECTION 6 - Momentum & Next Step
After Your First Gathering — What’s Next?
Remember, you don’t have to do this alone. Now is a great time to read the book, Launching Faith in Secular Spaces, and move on to Phase 3.
PHASE 3 - Grow
Moving from a gathering to a sustainable spiritual community.
This phase guides you to move beyond “we started” into healthy rhythms, shared ownership, and long-term fruitfulness. All without turning into a traditional program-driven church.
SECTION 1 - The First 90 Days Guide
Month 1 — Establish Safety
Month 2 — Build Rhythm
Month 3 — Deepen Ownership
SECTION 4 - Pastoral Care Without Pressure Guide
Teaches leaders:
You’re not responsible for fixing everyone
Listening is ministry
Presence is pastoral care
SECTION 7 - Community Health Check
A simple assessment that leaders can revisit.
SECTION 2 - Shared Leadership Guide
Teaches leaders:
You are a host, not the center
Community grows through shared voice
Leadership is relational, not positional
SECTION 5 - Spiritual Growth Pathways
People naturally ask: “What’s next?”
Offer a light-touch pathway:
Explore
Engage
Grow
Launch
SECTION 8 - Renewal Practices for Leaders
Short devotional-style resource:
Leading from rest, not exhaustion
Staying connected to Jesus personally
Letting God carry the outcomes
SECTION 3 - Sustainable Rhythms Planner
Suggested Rhythms:
Weekly or biweekly gatherings
Monthly reflection gathering
Quarterly reset/prayer time
SECTION 6 - Multiplication Discernment Guide
Signs multiplication may be happening:
New leaders emerging naturally
Conversations extending beyond gatherings
New people asking to start something nearby
SECTION 9 - Stay Connected to the Movement
Includes:
Join the Launching Faith newsletter
Stories from other gatherings
Monthly encouragement call/livestream
“Need help?” coaching connection
Where Can a Gathering Meet?
A Bar Table
An Outdoor Patio
A Home/Living Room
A Coffee Shop
Gatherings Happen Anywhere People Already Gather
Bars • Coffee Shops • Homes • Restaurants • Breweries • Parks • Community Spaces
Wherever people share life, Jesus meets them.
It felt more like family than anything I’ve experienced in years.
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Our gathering is warm, honest, and human.
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People talk, listen, laugh, share stories, and explore faith at their own pace.
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There’s no pressure to perform.
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No expectation to pretend.
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No requirement to believe before belonging.
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It felt more like family than anything I’ve experienced in years. 〰️ Our gathering is warm, honest, and human. 〰️ People talk, listen, laugh, share stories, and explore faith at their own pace. 〰️ There’s no pressure to perform. 〰️ No expectation to pretend. 〰️ No requirement to believe before belonging. 〰️
FAQ
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Two or three is enough to begin. Gatherings grow naturally through relationships.
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No. Most hosts are everyday followers of Jesus.
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Everyday followers of Jesus - You don’t need a title, just a heart for people and a desire to create safe, welcoming spaces.
Ministry leaders and pastors - Use our model as outreach, discipleship, or as part of a micro church/church planting strategy.
People returning from hurt - Your story can become someone else’s healing. Many hosts start out of their own restoration.
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There is no cost to start a Gathering. Coaching and optional resources may have small fees, but gatherings themselves are free.
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Most Gatherings meet weekly or biweekly.
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Absolutely. Many pastors use Gatherings as outreach, discipleship, or community-building tools.
Ready to Start a Gathering?
If God is stirring something in you, we’d love to walk with you. You don’t need perfection - just a willing heart and a place to gather. The best place to start is by reading our book.
Launching Faith Where Life Happens is a practical, grace-centered guide for creating faith communities in the real places people already gather - without pressure, performance, or pretense. Rooted in relational discipleship and radical hospitality, this book invites leaders to join God in everyday spaces and help people explore faith with honesty, belonging, and hope.