Key: Work
WORK together with like-minded people
Jesus set the example when He sent out the 72 workers, two by two. All the church planters Stephanas knew always worked in teams. People with a good balance of spiritual gifts working together bear much more fruit than one person working by himself. [1]
To cover their financial needs, some of the team planned to use their trade to earn money (like the Apostle Paul, who made tents). They would also receive some financial support from their sending churches.
The churches were confident that the Holy Spirit called this team to go. They held a special gathering to commission and send them out.[2] The believers committed to pray regularly for the team. Stephanas and his team promised to maintain regular communication with their sending churches.[3]
[1] Luke 10:1, Acts 10:23, 11:12; Romans 12:4-8
[2] Acts 13:1-3 The Holy Spirit told the sending church in Antioch, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Cross-cultural church planting teams need to be set apart from other ministry responsibilities and set apart with the authority to accomplish their work.
[3] 14:24-28