“Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a member of the court of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.” (Acts 13:1-3)

A core community is like the house church of early Christianity. It is a family of disciples gathering together to testify of unity in diversity, to seek the Holy Spirit, to worship and fast, and to support one another. It can be expressed in many ways, but always aim for pure devotion to Christ (2 Cor. 11:3).

• The Holy Spirit
  He is our guide and our Sustainer and the one who strengthens us to pray, to fast, to worship, to unite, and to go. His work is most evident in community.  “Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” Matt. 18:19-20
  
• Unity in Diversity
  Only through Christ is it possible to overcome racism, classism, and sexism. “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.” Colossians 3:9-11
  “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:28
  
• Worship
  As a community we worship God in spirit and truth which can come in a variety of forms and expressions. God loves creativity and relationship, but takes no pleasure in religion. “But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” John 4:23-24
  
• Prayer
  How can church be church without prayer, right? Praying and fasting as a group of followers is powerful and changes things. “And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.” Luke 18:1
• Mission
  When all is said and done, the Great Commission is still the task of the day. Red Letter Church has a special burden for unreached and unevangelized peoples and together, core communities can do great and mighty things in Kingdom work around the world.  Go therefore and make disciples of all nations… Matthew 28:19