12 Ways Kindred is Different
1. Our pastors will never take a single penny from the tithe. The day we do, close it down!
2. We give away no less than 85% of the weekly tithe. That’s right. We insist on being known for radical generosity, and we are willing to invert the typical financial structure of the church to prove it.
3. We are committed to being nomads. Kindred Church will not own a building or property that would necessitate a significant financial commitment. We are going to spend our money differently! As a result, we are committed to meeting wherever we need to meet by valuing impact over aesthetics and generosity over vibes. Kindred might meet in half a dozen different locations in the next five years, and that is fine by us if it means more money leaves our doors for the betterment of our neighbors.
4. One service time. The day you have two service times is the day you have two churches. Kindred desires to multiply, but when we can no longer sustain one service, we will not add a service time – we will plant another church!
5. No live stream. We are committed to the gathering of the saints – emphasis on the gather! Kindred is committed to sharing our content online, utilizing social media to further our connections, and to keep the congregation informed. But we do not believe you can digitize the gathering. We will always care for those who cannot meet with us by physically bringing the gathering to them. The gathering is by nature incarnate, so too will our service be.
6. No announcements during service. We do not gather every Sunday to promote ourselves or our activities. We gather to give our full attention to the One who created, saved, sanctifies, and sustains us. Announcements are for the website, social media, email and while we do life together.
7. Spontaneous baptisms. At Kindred Church, no one has to take a class to get dunked. We don’t vet you first. If God has moved within you - and you are ready to respond – it doesn’t matter if we are in the second verse of the second song or on the first point of the sermon; come up and get wet.
8. Directed prayer. At Kindred Church we actively pray together. We do not listen as one person prays onstage. We pray with intent. We pray as families and as friends. We pray with each other. This is one way we minister to each other.
9. Confession and Testimony each Sunday. How can a Church know the unique ways the Holy Spirit is moving in a person if they never hear from them directly? At Kindred, there will be a dedicated time each Sunday to hear directly from the congregation about what is weighing them down and what is inspiring them. In this way, we can hold each other accountable for how God is making us more in His image.
10. Bring back the potluck! Do you know what is a serious bummer? An empty church parking lot at 1 o’clock on Sunday afternoon. At Kindred, we don’t just have a program and then leave. We are going to eat together every Sunday. We believe the Table is sacred, and as important to the spiritual health of our church as the service itself. We know most of us end up doing the same few things after church any way… why not do them together?
11. Bi-weekly business meetings. When does the average church have their annual business meeting? Is it after a service goes late? In January? On the coldest day of the year? After the Chiefs have already kicked off in the post-season? Is there just enough people to have a quorum? Do only a minority of people actually know what is in the budget? Not at Kindred. If we are going to give away 85% of the weekly tithe, we need to do so intentionally. So, every other week, anyone who tithes will meet after Sunday lunch to propose how we release our tithe. Anyone who gives to the church can make a proposal for where a portion of the funds should go. We weren’t kidding. We are going to empower the laity!
12. No youth group?! That’s right. No youth group. Teenagers want to be taken seriously. They want to know their voice is heard, that their opinions hold value, and that they can make a difference. At Kindred Church, we have kid’s ministry, men’s ministry, and women’s ministry. When your children are ready to join the adults, we will aim to take them seriously!