We’re better together. Jesus repeatedly emphasized this message to His motley band of followers. He sent the 72 out on their ministry internship with coworkers but no possessions. As a resource-poor people, they would have to rely on the leadership of the Spirit and the hospitality of people who did not yet appreciate the significance of their message. Jesus sent them in pairs to demonstrate authentic community and invite others to join their fellowship. He was introducing a church-planting strategy that reflected the very nature of our triune God—the One who sent Jesus to bring flesh to our understanding of the Father and exemplify the communion of the Trinity. The disciples must have internalized Christ’s directive; apostolic partnerships and teams crisscrossed the world, forging communities of faith by welcoming people into the family of God.
In Europe, we firmly believe in the power of teams because:
THE BATTLE TO ADVANCE HIS KINGDOM ON OUR CONTINENT IS INTENSE.
For centuries, faith has diminished here as intelligence, self-reliance, and rebellion against God have compacted the soil into stony ground. Just as effective plowing requires multiple points of contact, long-term ministry in Europe requires time-intensive, strategic relationships with multiple workers. Cultivating the ground of secularism into rich, fertile soil takes the concerted effort of diverse teams working together with one heart in the Spirit. Even in areas formerly suffocated by communism or currently held in Islam’s grip, faith can thrive and people can be discipled. The damage is deep, but it is not irreversible.
TOGETHER WE REFLECT GOD’S NATURE MORE COMPLETELY.
Europeans jaded by hollow and corrupt religious systems need to see a variety of expressions of faith. An unbeliever might attribute a missionary’s warmth to a cultural quirk, but encountering that same enduring joy in a whole team and connecting it to relationship with Jesus triggers the search for truth. Diverse populations need to know God uses diverse individuals—males and females of all ages, races, and personality types. Pioneering together encourages future churches not to settle for the usual church model, but to contextualize for the unique population of their location, reflecting the beauty of multicultural Europe.
GOD WANTS TO RELEASE EVERY BELIEVER INTO HIS OR HER GIFTING.
Planting a church with a team illustrates the way every member of Christ’s body should function cooperatively. Historic church models where only the pastor is considered “trained” to minister stunt congregations’ spiritual growth. Conversely, healthy teams demonstrate New Testament fivefold leadership and enable believers of any demographic to discover their place of service under the covering of their leaders. Teams also raise up a new generation of apostolic church planters as veteran missionaries come alongside new team members and form organic mentoring relationships in the style of Paul and Timothy.
As individuals connect deeply and serve side-by-side, they soon recognize the beauty and potential of working together.