This is your guide to launching Starting Point.
The Basics
What is Starting Point?
Who does Starting Point serve?
Starting Point is for people who are brand-new to Christianity, are processing things have been away from church for a while, or just have questions or doubts about faith and spirituality.
Why does Starting Point exist?
Starting Point exists because we believe that people want to have conversations about faith. Unfortunately, they don’t view the church as a safe place to ask their questions about God, Jesus, or the Bible.
Starting Point aims to change that by creating a conversational environment where people can explore faith and experience community.
When we use the phrase explore faith...
We mean allowing people to ask questions and voice their doubts, free from pressure and judgment. Starting Point is not a class or presentation; it’s a conversation.
When we use the phrase experience community...
We mean showing curiosity about and care for others, regardless of their viewpoints. Relationships marked by that kind of genuine acceptance can be transformative.
Getting Started
As you explore if Starting Point is the right fit for your ministry, take time to watch these videos.
The Vision Behind Starting Point
How to Use Starting Point
How Starting Point Groups Work
Leaders
Step One: Recruitment
Leader Description
Start with an outline of what the expectations, values, and qualifications are of leaders.
Download Leader Description →
Leader Application
Before someone can lead, he or she must apply.
Download Leader Application →
Step Two: Training and Equipping
New Leader Orientation and Training
New Leader Orientation (NLO) is a three-week, 75-minute, conversational small group. Not only does it model the methods we use in our Starting Point groups, it gives potential Starting Point leaders ownership of the content and their leadership.
New Leader Orientation • Weekly Guide for Leaders
Use these pages as weekly reminders to your Starting Point leaders. Each guide starts with a video, has a brief "win" for the week, and some bottom lines to keep in mind. A PDF link with additional notes on what to expect is also included.
Weekly Leader Guide • Leader Materials
We want to make sure your leaders are fully equipped with the resources to effectively run Starting Point
Promoting to Attendees
When Sunday morning brings you unchurched people, you need to be ready to give them a next step.
But how do you move people from a seat in the service to a Starting Point circle?
We thought it might be helpful to gather a few examples of what it looks like to encourage people to sign up for Starting Point.
If you see something you like, feel free to borrow it, keep it, or make it better.
Most of our promotional material you will find in the Starter Kit, but here are a few to review.
We All Have Questions
What Is Starting Point
A Conversation
We’re here to help.
If you have questions, feel free to reach out.