Generating the "core group"

[Good King Edward VI]

Hello all,

I'm new to CF, as well as new to church planting, working on Anglicans Of Michiana. Over the past half-year, I have been trying various approaches to generating interest in what I term a "Word and prayer fellowship" (basically, a Bible study), as a step toward establishing an evangelical Anglican parish in the South Bend, Ind. area.

I've read some resources, corresponded with various people on the internet and telephone on their experiences in church planting, but basically, I'm flying by the seat of my pants. I'm not a know-nothing in that I think there is value to be found in studies on church planting techniques, etc.; neither do I believe that if one does not experience "success", then God is not honoring one's honest efforts to proclaim the good news and spread the word about his kingdom.

But it can get discouraging. There's this concept of the "core group" that one has to gather before one can even really consider the idea of a new congregation. All the literature I've read assumes the existence of this core group, and is concerned with what you do at/after that group has been gathered. My core group, so far, is my wife and 2 1/2 year-old son.

Any suggestions out there on getting that initial traction?

Thanks in advance.

- Jeff

 

[BrotherAtArms]

Possibly one of the answers not many people want to hear is to do exactly what they did in the first 2 chapters of Acts... pray.
They prayed for 10 solid days and then boom! Thousands came in.
I'm not going to say that thousands will come in, but just ask God and do what you know to do on your part and see how the Power of God moves

 

[Good King Edward VI]

Thanks for the reply, BAA. It is always good to be reminded to PRAY.

Oh, and lucky for you you added that disclaimer that you're not saying thousands will come in. Lest I slap a lawsuit on you or something like that. ;-)

 

[BrotherAtArms]

Thanks for the reply, BAA. It is always good to be reminded to PRAY.

Oh, and lucky for you you added that disclaimer that you're not saying thousands will come in. Lest I slap a lawsuit on you or something like that. ;-)

Haha, well I'm not ruling it out, all things are possible with God. I suppose the question is within a verse that says :

[FONT=Times New Roman,Times]“Whoever is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much; and whoever is dishonest in a very little is dishonest also in much. If then you have not been faithful with the dishonest wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches?”[/FONT]

Think about that in account of people.
This verse was my own personal verse for my first year as a youth minister.