The core group of a new church can be developed in a number of ways.

1. From Bible Studies  A core group can be developed from one or more home Bible Studies held in a certain community.  Surveys are taken to find people in the target community who would be interested in hosting or attending a Bible Sutdy in their own home. These people are contacted and groups for Bible study are begun.  After a period of time, the Bible study groups are invited to do some things together (i.e., a picnic, joint Bible study, etc.).  Next, plans are made to combine these studies on a Sunday morning in the future to provide joint worship and the start of a church.
2. From a sponsoring church  The sponsoring church encourages members to become a part of the new congregation.  Their job is to be the leadership and the bulk of the new congregation.  Their presence, talents, financial support and families leave the existing church for the new church plant.
3. Block Parties  Block parties are "marketed" to specific communities where people will respond to those who want to meet needs in a specific arena, although they can be used in any situation.  They can be very effective and profitable in reaching a large number of people with the plans for a new church in a short period of time.  Often a church is started within weeks of the block party.
4. Revivals/Crusades  Often, a one or two week emphasis is given to a particular town or community.  The ground is plowed before the special emphasis by Back Yard Bible clubs.  Seed is sown through two weeks of door to door evangelism, street evangelism, and servant evangelism projects.  At the beginning of the second week, revival services begin in the evening.  Because of all the previous work, most people in the community are aware of the services when they begin.  Revivals are held under a tent.  Groups to participate in the evangelism projects are recruited from all over the country.  All of this activity usually leaves a core group to begin the church.  It also leaves the core group with dozens, if not hundreds, of names and addresses to follow up.  It is very important to have a mission group that is scheduled to come the week after the crusade to help the small core group and the church planter to do immediate follow up.

              By Steve Nerger