I found a website for a church called Walls Down. Their web site is http://wallsdownchurch.com/.


- They are connected to three different networks:

The Free Methodist Church
Association of Related Churches
Churchplanters.com

I reviewed the information on their home page and on some blogs and I am sending the Pastor a letter requesting more information for us to use in our project. Here is the letter is sent.

Pastor,

Hi! My name is Lillian Hertel and I need your help! I am member of a United Methodist Church in North Georgia. I am currently taking a Leadership class given by the North Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church. A group of six class participants, including me, are doing a class project entitled “Back to Basics: Building a Church Without Walls”. Our project focuses reaching the underserved parts of the population which would include many nonreligious and nominally religious people. We are examining the figurative walls that keep people from joining a church and therefore keep them from becoming part of the Church (i.e. the body of Christ). We will then be formulating a plan to present to the North Georgia Conference on what can be done to build a church without wall.

We are looking at how Old Testament Church fulfilled the great commission; the application of those methods to the 21srt century environment, (“The Masters Plan for Making Disciples” by Arn & Arn); Wesley’s approach; and, the approach used by Adam Hamilton and explained in his book “Leading Beyond the Walls”.

I’ve found information on the internet on literally “no wall” churches which are based entirely on cell or small groups that meet at homes. Nice idea but they forget that it is imperative for believers to gather together every Sunday for mutual support, encouragement, and worship.

Then I came across the Walls Down Church website. I read all the information and I am impressed with the concept and your approach. Very briefly my understanding is that Walls Down offers
· Sunday worship as a “community of believers unified through faith in Christ who are committed to the teachings of Christ, to obeying all of His commands and it seeks to bring the gospel to the world.”
· LIFE Groups that get together regularly
· Focus Seminars offered regularly throughout the year based on a handful of Biblical priorities
· Similar programs and experiences for kids.

I have reviewed the information on the internet about your planning which includes, “making as many connections as possible, building relationships, making friends, being in the community, etc”. I would appreciate it if you would be so kind as to provide me information as to how you do all this.
What are your initial meetings about?
What kind of marketing do you do?
You refer to “putting the final touches on our church systems” what do you mean by church systems?
How do you recruit volunteer?
How do you get financial support?
What is the Core Group?
How do you determine what Community service project(s) you will pursue?

I really would appreciate any information you can provide me that would help with our project. We will recognize Walls Down Church as a contributor to the project. The final report will presented to North Georgia Conference at our final class in May.

I truly believe that there is a better way to reach the underserved parts of the population than what is being done in the mainline churches today. I don’t mean that the mainline churches have outlived their usefulness as part of the great commission. I mean that these churches must change the way they function. They need to get out of their comfort zones; stop assuming people will come; and, expecting the pastor to provide all the pastoral care. As members of the Church (Body of Christ) churches need to figure out how to be missionaries working right outside their front doors.

You and your organization are in our prayers. I thank you in advance for any help you can give us.

Lillian M. Hertel