For pastors and ministry leaders, there’s constant pressure to keep up—with schedules, sermons, team development, and the needs of the people they serve. But sometimes, the most effective way to lead forward is by slowing down. Leaders across the Association of Related Churches (ARC) have found that consistently meditating on a single passage of Scripture can bring deep clarity and strength—for personal growth and lasting impact in ministry.
Dino Rizzo, Executive Director of the Association of Related Churches, often shares how he returns to one passage at a time, reading it repeatedly and allowing God to speak through it in fresh ways. He refers to this as “binging on Scripture”—not for content consumption, but for spiritual transformation.
The Impact of Staying with One Passage
When a leader revisits the same verse again and again, Scripture shifts from being something we read to something that reshapes us. What starts as familiar can suddenly become timely. Repetition creates space for God to speak—not in volume, but in depth.
This practice is especially powerful for church planters and teams connected to the Association of Related Churches. The fast pace of launching and leading a church often leaves little time for reflection. However, the discipline of staying rooted in one passage can bring spiritual focus and peace that’s otherwise difficult to maintain.
A Verse That Anchors Vision
One example Pastor Dino Rizzo often references is Matthew 9:37–38: “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”
A single reading of this verse might offer encouragement. But returning to it repeatedly can shift the way a leader sees their role in ministry. For ARC pastors, it’s a reminder of why the Church exists and the urgency of raising up leaders and reaching communities with the hope of Jesus.
Bringing It Into Practice
This approach doesn’t require hours of study or theological degrees. Start by identifying a passage that resonates with where you are in ministry or where your church is headed. Write it down, pray it daily, and invite your team to reflect on it together. Let it guide conversations, inform planning, and shape your sense of calling.
Within the Association of Related Churches, the goal has always been more than launching churches—it’s about launching leaders who are grounded in the Word and led by the Spirit. Meditating on Scripture is a simple but profound way to stay connected to that purpose.
If you’re navigating leadership, church planting, or simply searching for clarity in your calling, one verse may be all it takes to hear what God is saying right now.
About the Association of Related Churches (ARC):
The Association of Related Churches (ARC) represents a collaborative network comprising independent congregations from various denominations, networks, and backgrounds. Its primary mission is to provide essential support and resources to church planters and pastors, enabling them to effectively share the teachings of Jesus Christ. ARC’s operational approach revolves around empowering and equipping church leaders, thus helping them foster the widespread dissemination of Christ’s life-changing message. Established in 2000, the Association of Related Churches has evolved into a worldwide entity and has played a pivotal role in facilitating the establishment of over 1,160 new churches globally.
