North American Church Planting Foundation

It was two weeks before Christmas and we had scheduled our first Christmas party as a team. I wastrying to finish up last minute school work, working 40 hrs a week, teaching the Sunday before, andtrying to raise money for our church plant. I had a lot on my plate and was late getting the planstogether for the party. That same week I had lunch with Eric, one of my team members, and I wasexplaining how much I had going on and he volunteered to plan the party. He told me that he and hiswife enjoyed planning out parties like this. The night of the party I was anxious about what I would sayand how I would lead the party, I am the leader and leaders lead parties right. When it came time togather everyone for the prayer before the meal, Eric took over. He gave instructions on how the nightwas planned and asked me to pray. Socialize and pray for the meal that was all I had to do for the entireevening. I felt a weight lift from my shoulders as God began to show me the fruit of having a team.

In a report authored by Ed Stetzer on issues that church planters face he said “A healthy core groupis key to a viable church plant.” He explained that when a planter has a team it is easier for him tospend time making relationships with those in the community without being bogged down with thetime consuming pre-launch administrative tasks. When these tasks are dispersed among a relationallystrengthened team they become less burdensome.

A team is also able to have a wider range of influence of the Gospel, as each team member gets a job,moves into a new neighborhood, and begins to interact with the community the amount of potentialdisciples for Jesus is multiplied. The amount of fruit that is produces is dependent upon each memberseeing themselves as a missionary to the target area.

The principle of going out in teams is displayed for us in the Scripture. The first place we see it iswhen Jesus sends out the 70, two by two, to preach about the Kingdom of God (Luke 10:1-8). Whenthe church in Antioch sent out the first missionaries they did not just send out one (Acts 13:1-13).Throughout the book of Acts and in the letters of Paul we see that he and Barnabas were never alone asthey planted churches throughout the known world.

As a planter who is only months away from relocating to our target area I must say that I am thankful forthe team members who are preparing to move with me. I am excited to see how God uses each one ofthem, young and old, to reach the people of our city. I can already see how our different gifts balanceeach other out and how we are beginning to form a new body of Christ. May He be glorified by the teamthat He has put together.