On August 3 of this year Coram Deo Baptist Church was born. On that Sunday morning at Willow Spring High School, my wife and I along with 20 couples and two single adults signed a covenant together. It was a sweet, milestone moment. Documents were adopted, elders were installed and now, some three months later, we are going strong by God’s grace. But there was a lot of work behind that special day. It didn’t happen overnight.
For the 13 months prior I had served as the church planting resident at Fairview Baptist in Apex, NC, which would become our sending church. For the bulk of those months I trained and prepared for church planting on every level. But it was in the last stretch of my residency that I had to grab another gear—to form a core team.
Dear reader, perhaps soon to be planter, I’d like to share some insights on core team development. Knowing, however, that every planting journey is different (keep that in mind) perhaps these will help you along the way.
Language
Church plants often use similar vocabulary, but different definitions. Clarify what you mean by “core team.” For us, these folks would be the charter members of the church. We used the language of “launch team” to designate the outer band of those interested, involved and invested, yet not completely committed. They serve a different purpose than your core team, yet you’ll need them on the journey. And chances are, they’ll be some of your earlier new member candidates.
Commitments
“What am I signing up for?” is the question you’ll be asked. You need a clear and simple answer. In short, the core team takes corporate responsibility for planting the church. They will be the champion of vision and the harbinger of information. For starters, preview services are on their backs. At the ground level, we set four commitments: aim to covenant; attend bi-weekly meetings; join a life group; and give regularly (to the sending church). Each of these show signs of “skin in the game” and get the core team functioning like a church before they become one.
Members
When onboarding core team members, you need a tool to filter and align candidates. Like-mindedness is key. We opted to use the membership process of our sending church. Our core team members would first be church members, together. When people expressed interest in joining the core team, we pointed them to the membership process. It allowed the Fairview Elders to be the “no vote.” It proved a candidate’s commitment to healthy ecclesiology. And, it set the precedent for Coram Deo’s first membership process. [We also onboarded five families from a sister Pillar Network church, Redeemer Community in Fuquay-Varina, that aligned with our philosophy of ministry. Perhaps you’ll have the opportunity to do the same.]
Timeline
Like the gestation cycle of a baby, there’s a set time from conception to delivery. I believe the same is true with church planting. Yes the Spirit guides, but a plan is needed. Set a date to form your core team, with no further additions. Then set a second date to launch the church (covenant Sunday). Strategically calendar both, share with your wider base of interested parties, and then get to work. Between those two dates is the time for intense training, preview services, ministry purchasing, facility contracts and all the rest. Every journey is different, but the calendar is everyone’s friend.
Network
Don’t go at this work alone. Just like you need friends in ministry, churches need partners. Some will provide financially, others will give physical resources. Perhaps others will send people. But all will pray. We are thankful for the support of our partners in the Send Network (SendNC) and the Pillar Network, along with a host of kingdom-minded churches. Cast vision, ask for help, keep moving forward and watch the Lord meet your needs every step of the way.
Church planter, remember that God is not just writing your story. Rather he’s doing something in the life of every core team member and their family. Few are the Christians who get to be a part of a church plant. Savor the moment and lead your people to do the same. Core team development: it’s not prepping for ministry, it is the ministry. One Sunday at a time. Stay encouraged, dear brother.
MDiv Preaching and Pastoral Ministry
The Preaching and Pastoral Ministry track prepares students for pastoral ministry in the local church with a special emphasis on expository preaching.
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