In this fourth installment of the Easter Prep Series, Dale Sellers and Joseph Bennett talk about why prayer cannot be an afterthought for small and mid-size churches. They share a practical “team huddle” rhythm that motivates volunteers, aligns everyone around the mission, and builds expectancy for what God can do. At the core of the conversation is a simple but often overlooked truth: prayer is not an accessory to Easter—it’s the engine. When teams are grounded in God’s presence, everything else flows from the right place.
Dale and Joseph also unpack how volunteers are not just helpers, but part of the mission itself—shaping first impressions and spiritual openness for every guest. They explain how a loose structure for prayer can keep teams focused without becoming rigid, why it’s important to protect the moment by setting clear expectations, and how to pray not just for Easter Sunday, but for lasting momentum in the weeks that follow.
Easter Prayer Guide:
Links to Resources Mentioned or Related
- Podcast Episode 291 (w/ John Finkelde): Do Your Work From Rest . . . Instead Of Resting From Work
- Email Joseph
- Easter Devotional From Fishhook
- Link to NEW! Soul Care Essentials Online: 3-Session Video Series
- Link to NEW! Soul Care Essentials Cohort: 6 Weeks of Guided Conversations for Post-Conference Groups
- 95Network – Soul Care Essentials
- 95Network – Healthy Church Assessment
- Read Stalled: Hope and Help for Pastors Who Thought They’d Be There By Now
- Watch Podcast on YouTube
Key Takeaways
1 – Prayer is the engine, not the accessory. Easter effectiveness is not primarily about production, but about God’s presence.
2 – Volunteers are not just helpers. They are the mission. How volunteers serve shapes first impressions and spiritual openness.
3 – Structure can serve spirituality. A “loose structure” for prayer keeps teams aligned without becoming rigid.
4 – Protect the moment. Set expectations up front so the prayer time stays focused on the day’s mission.
5 – Momentum matters. Easter is important, but so is the Sunday after Easter. Pray for lasting discipleship and engagement.
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