I believe churches should be planted with a team. Lone ranger church planting just isn’t healthy. Here are a few words of advice for core teams.
Focus on three things
“Your focus needs more focus.” – Mr. Myagi (Karate Kid Movie)
A church plant needs to narrow its focus to three main things: outreach, small groups, and core team training. In this blog, I will give a summary of the three areas which I feel should be our primary focus. While doing so, don’t try and control every aspect of the church plant. Identify, trust and empower people.
Why only focus on three things?
We can get bogged down in many ministry areas to the point that it would take years to actually plant a church. Youth ministry, for example, is important, but not needed in the start-up phase. It can be developed at a later date.
Stay focused on the three top things. Your core values may differ, but regardless of what they are… focus! Don’t try to do everything all at once.
Core team development is crucial!
The day of the lone ranger church planter has passed. I don’t care how awesome you are or think you are, a team is needed. Teamwork is biblical. Moses could not do ministry all by himself, and neither can you.
This area of team training involves a lot. It consist of so many variables.
So, how do you develop your core team? The core team can consist of seasoned followers and/or people recently saved. The first step is to share the vision and mission of the church plant. Establish the reason for starting a church in the first place. Some might ask, “Aren’t there plenty of churches in the area already? Share your “why” and how you hope to accomplish the mission. If they are interested, invite them to be a part.
Next, identify giftings. Everyone is a “10” at something. Some will be teachers. Other may have the gift of hospitality and can be part of the welcome team. Others will be in worship, tech teams, or children’s ministry.
You may want to use a gift survey such as Strength Finders. to help identify and clarify the appropriate roles of those with different spiritual gifts. The just-released book: The 6 Types of Working Genius: A Better Way to Understand Your Gifts, Your Frustrations, and Your Team by Patrick Lencioni is also excellent.
After identifying gifts, it is important to provide resources. Buy books, recommend videos or connect team members to a mentor who can train them. The focus is to train so that the church can open its doors and have maximum impact on the community.
Outreach is an absolute!
The main reason to start a church is obedience to the Great Commission. This means being outward-focused. Please don’t “fish in someone else’s pond” (aka sheep stealing)! If you are already doing it, repent! Remember why the church exists. You didn’t start the church to merely rearrange the Body of Christ. You and your team have been called to share the good news of Jesus with those who are far from Christ. Your community is filled with people. Go share the gospel! Go make disciples!
If you need help with an outreach strategy, you can connect with my friends at Kindness Outreach Ministries. www.Kindness Outreach.com.
Steve Sjogren is known as the “godfather” of servant evangelism. He has tons of outreach suggestions on his site: SteveSjogren.com
I love what Andy Stanley said at a conference I attended: “If we are going to reach people who have never been reached, we are going to have to do some things that have never been done.”
You are only limited by your imagination.
Great things happen in small groups
Small group ministry is where life transformation often takes place. Something special happens when we gather corporately, but there is an added element of authenticity when we share life with others. Group members build a rapport and look out for one another. They care about the overall well-being of others, whether it’s mental, emotional, spiritual, or physical.
Small groups are also a place where current leaders can spot potential in others and bring them into some type of leadership development.
If you have not read House to House by Larry Kreider, I hope you will click this link and order a copy now. You will thank me later. House to House by Larry Kreider
I encourage you to be intentional about these important things.