Start a Nature-Based Church

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Something is missing. Many people feel it—a quiet disconnection from nature, from each other, and from something deeper. This disconnection reflects not just a personal sense of isolation, but also a broader need for community building. We have become distant from the living world, and in that distance, something essential has been lost. Embracing nature-based spirituality can help us reconnect and foster a sense of belonging, as we explore the potential of a Web Fellowship that nurtures these connections.

A nature-based spiritual tradition rooted in the living Earth, this approach emphasizes community building through direct experience. It is not built on belief alone, but on lived experience: gathering in real community, walking the land, tending soil and growing food, sharing meals, stories, and presence. This is not something abstract; it is a practice of nature-based spirituality that you can live—and something you can begin through initiatives like the Web Fellowship.

The Holy Spring is one expression of this path. However, it is not the only one. Through the Web Fellowship, we are fostering community building by growing a decentralized network of communities—each unique, yet rooted in the same spirit of connection, reverence, and shared experience in nature-based spirituality. You do not need permission to begin. If you feel called to gather people, to reconnect with the Earth, and to create something real, you can start a Web Fellowship church where you are.

We’ve created a guide for those who feel this call to nature-based spirituality. 

The Earthkeeper’s Guide to Building a Web Fellowship Community

A practical, grounded manual to help you:

- start a gathering with just a few people

- create meaningful, repeatable rituals

- build real connection through shared experience

- grow something that can last beyond yourself

You do not need land. 

You do not need money. 

You do not need to have everything figured out. 

You only need a willingness to begin community building.

Each community takes its own form, but all share a common foundation rooted in community building: a commitment to nature-based gathering, a focus on real human connection, openness to spiritual experience, and a respect for the living Earth. For some, sacred practice may include the use of sacrament—always approached with reverence, responsibility, and intention. It is never a commodity. It is never for sale. It is a sacred element of practice, freely given and deeply respected. Remember, we are in this together. You can read about our Shared Future and the role of Web Fellowship in nurturing these values here.

This path is for those who feel called to: bring people together in a meaningful way through community building, reconnect with nature and the living world, and engage in nature-based spirituality. It's about building a community rooted in honesty and presence and creating something real—not just talking about it. You do not need to be an expert in community building or have a title to participate in this journey. If this resonates, you are ready to join the Web Fellowship.

If you feel called to begin a local fellowship, we invite you to take the next step through The Way of the Web. There you can receive the free starter guide: Start a Way of the Web Fellowship, which serves as a high-level checklist for forming a local Earth-honoring spiritual community focused on nature-based spirituality. This guide will help you think through: your fellowship’s purpose and identity, the kind of gathering you want to create, basic structure, values, and responsibilities, first steps for growing slowly and sincerely, and whether the Fellowship Launch Package is right for you. The guide is offered through The Way of the Web, the fellowship path connected to this work, emphasizing community building.

The free guide serves as a simple starting point for community building. For those who feel prepared for more structure and support, The Way of the Web offers a Web Fellowship Launch Package for individuals or small groups seeking assistance in initiating their journey with clarity, responsibility, and direction. This Fellowship Launch Package is tailored for those eager to move beyond mere interest and begin creating something meaningful within their own community. It may include orientation materials, suggested first steps, a sample fellowship structure, and next-step support. Interested individuals can start by completing the request form through The Way of the Web.

If you feel a genuine call to begin your journey in community building, you are welcome to reach out. By starting a community, you become part of a growing network—others walking the same path and each bringing the Web to life in their own unique way. Together, we are fostering a space for nature-based spirituality. We are building this together. For further reading, see our post on building community.

You do not need to wait for the right moment to engage in community building. Embrace nature-based spirituality by starting small. Start simply. Start now, and join the Web Fellowship in your journey.