Start a New Community

Where to Begin

How to create a new Via de Cristo community

Initially we begin the process in Via de Cristo (VdC) with the National Vice President of Outreach (outreach@viadecristo.org) and later work with your Regional Coordinator to support this effort.

1. Pray for clarity and discern God’s will.
2. Discuss your ideas and expectations with the Vice President of Outreach (VPO).
3. Identify a core team of disciples who share the vision and are ready to take on the task.
4. Meet with the VPO and the core team to begin the journey.
5. Choose a name for the community
   a. Prayerful consideration
   b. Internet search to see if the name is available or already in use
6. Create By-laws
   No need to re-invent the wheel. Start with another community’s By-laws and revise for your own purposes. The VPO will supply options.
7. Research and begin process for incorporation by writing a constitution, per the requirements of your Secretary of State, and file for 501c3 status.
8. Map the geography of the community
   a. Identify all the ELCA and Missouri Synod Lutheran Churches within a reasonable geography
   b. Identify the other denominations in your geography for future outreach
9. Outreach. Touch base with those Lutheran Churches
   a. Attend the Synod Assembly or District Meetings
   b. Tap into the Lutheran Churches in your Synod/ District
   c. Ask VdC pastors to carry the message of VdC to the Synod or District meetings and find other pastors who have attended a weekend or are interested in learning more. Don’t hesitate to leverage other 4th Day Spiritual Directors to support the pastor to pastor dialog.
   d. Conduct ‘temple talks’ at local churches and pass out VdC brochures after worship service.
10. Begin to identify and build your community
    a. Meet with leaders of other 4th Day Communities, especially those ecumenical communities (Walk to Emmaus, Tres Dias, Episcopal Cursillo, and Presbyterian Cursillo) Ask for support to build 4th Day community.
    b. Host and/or attend joint Ultreyas with other 4th Day communities throughout the Region.
    c. Encourage everyone to participate in a Reunion Group.
11. Elect the Governing Body
    a. With a small core group, it is recommended that the initial governing body should be required to only serve one year as opposed to a full two or three-year term. This may make the commitment easier for some.
    b. Begin to build your community. Make a friend, be a friend and bring your friend to Christ. Invite people to attend a weekend.
12. Plan for and send at least two people to the National Annual Gathering
13. Begin Planning for your first weekend
    a. Identify Financial Resources
    b. Work with the Regional Coordinator to help with this effort.
    c. Other 4th Day communities from your area (Tres Dias or Walk to Emmaus) may provide team members to help host your first weekend.
    d. Identify Weekend Supply Resources Other VdC communities may donate supplies or financial support needed to host an initial weekend.
    e. Identify a facility to host the weekend. The governing body should develop a sub-team to research and visit a number of potential places…camps, churches and retreat centers.