Who casts the vision for Core Discipleship?
The senior pastor must guide the Core Discipleship vision. Other leaders can help, but the vision and overall leadership belong to the lead pastor. From experience we have learned that no matter who introduces the Core Discipleship ministry into a church, that ministry will only go as far as the Senior Pastor s vision for it – sheep follow the shepherd. I encourage church leaders to actually lead a Core group, or at least be in a Core Group. This promotes the idea that the senior pastor is on board with the vision, sends a message that he is transparent with those in his group, and is not super spiritual. He, too, is one of the sheep. The strength of a Core Group resides in safety, transparency, mutual submission, accountability and being Spirit-led. The following aspects should be maintained: regularity (weekly Core gatherings are the norm and should be maintained) penetration (Core meets where people are – restaurants, offices, home – where others see and hear God working in the Core
