ARC Church Planting Prayer GuideSample

Gathering a Core Team

Devotional:

By Brian Bullock, Union Church, Charlotte, NC

“You can't do it alone; God's plan always includes community." - Greg Surratt, ARC Lead Team.

Whenever I’m working out with a trainer, and they start making me do core exercises, I always complain. It just feels like a waste of time. Take me to the bench press. Where are the dumbbell curls? These squats and lunges aren’t going to make me look like a bodybuilder.

And without fail, every good trainer says the same thing: "You cannot have a strong body without building a strong core." Well, the same is valid for church planting. You cannot have a strong church without building a strong core team.

If you’re anything like me, you get excited about the thought of preaching that first sermon on launch day. But before reaching that impactful moment, you must work on your core. Building your core team will be the most critical and fulfilling step you will take towards having an incredible launch.

The heart of a church planter is to see a harvest of souls come to know Jesus and build a personal relationship with Him. And because of that desire, we often pray, “Lord, send us the harvest.” But in Luke 10:2, Jesus says that we have a harvest. In fact, He says we are overflowing with harvest. The problem is not the harvest. The problem is we don’t have enough laborers to tend to the harvest.

As a church planter, your prayer must be, "Lord, send us the laborers." As you pray this prayer, you will begin to see God connecting you to people with a heart and mission similar to yours. They will believe in the church's vision and want to see radical change for Jesus in your city.

We asked everyone considering joining our team: “If you had all the money, all the time, and the resources in the world, and you could do something significant for God, what would it be?” And one by one, people shared their dreams and passions for the work they wanted to do for God and the lives they wanted to impact. And in that moment, we realized that our church was an opportunity for so many people to live out God's calling on their lives.

The invitation to join your core team will be an invitation to an adventure that will change and transform their lives forever. As my pastor says, “If you want to go fast, go alone. But if you want to go far, take a team.” Let’s not just go fast. Let’s go far!

Application:

Plan an interest social party where you invite everyone to a coffee shop or game night and share your church's vision. At the end, invite people to join your Core Team and recommend someone else who would benefit from being a part of the movement.

Meditation:

Meditate on this idea: You do not have to worry about the harvest coming in. Jesus says it is plentiful. You do not have to strive but can work knowing that God will help you bring in the harvest as you build your team. Pray that God will send you people who love your city and want to see as many lost people found as they possibly can. Pray that God will send you team leaders who believe in the church's vision and feel called to do life with you.

Closing Prayer:

Lord, thank you for choosing me to carry out your heart for lost people in this city. Because I know that You called me to build Your church, I know You will equip me with the people who can help me do it. Lord, send laborers for your harvest. May this core team be one that pleases you, walks in unity, and fulfills our purpose on earth. I thank you in advance for it. In Jesus' Name, I pray. Amen!