When Jesus wanted to change the world, He started with just twelve ordinary men. Christians often look at a church plant’s core team and feel unimpressed by the “small” group. Church planters can get discouraged when their team is small. But isn’t it encouraging to hear that Jesus chose to start with only twelve?
You see, a small core team isn’t a liability—it’s an opportunity. It is an opportunity to genuinely disciple new believers, deepen relationships, and solidify the vision. Our early core team was the foundation of everything that followed over the past twelve years. Small core teams also multiply faster. Once a church enters the “program stage,” it may reach larger crowds, but it rarely multiplies at the rate of those early relational seasons. During our core team phase, relationships formed quickly, and new people easily became part of our inner circle.
Church planters, as you build your core team, meet with anyone willing to meet. Talk with everyone. Fine-tune your elevator pitch if God only gives you a few moments with someone. Similar to starting a business, even if someone isn’t interested, ask if they know of someone who might be willing to join.
For example, I tried to frequent different locally owned restaurants to get to know people. At one restaurant, I got to know a few frequent patrons. Those men became friends, yet never came to the church. However, they ultimately supported us and connected us with other people in the community who also joined us. Your job at this stage is to hustle, hustle, hustle.
Church planters, stay connected with people even if they are an early “no.” Early in the process, we connected with a lady who was a “no,” but she did it politely. During those months, it was common for someone to politely say “no” by commenting, “reach out when you are no longer meeting in your home.” Honestly, when I heard her say that, I thought, “Well, she will never come.”
However, when we started meeting on Sunday nights at a local church, she ended up coming, getting baptized, and becoming a faithful and effective leader for many years. Your job at this stage is to love even when someone says “no” and let the Spirit do His work.
Brothers and sisters, would you be willing to join the core team of a church plant? I’m talking to you—yes, you, reading this right now. Is God calling you to join a core team? I’ll warn you that it is messy, uncertain, and demanding. But don’t let fear of commitment or the unknown rob you of the joy of living on mission in the will of God.
Picture yourself five years from now, looking back on all that God has accomplished. You will remember the sticky school cafeteria floors with joy. You will remember the meals where acquaintances became close friends. You will remember the front row seat you had of God transforming people’s lives. Reach out if you’re ready to explore what God might be calling you to.