Circle Up
Let me add one thought to a cell church’s quest to equip future leaders. Don’t underestimate the power of the “circle.” Let me explain. Inevitably, the vast majority of cell churches have a linear approach to the training of cell leaders. Typically, it looks like: Potential cell leader completes course of sudy “1,” he/she now is enrolled in course of study “2,” and when he/she finishes course of study “2,” off to course of study “3.” Now, these studies may be brilliantly written, passionately delivered, and intellectually stimulating. But, this linear approach needs to be challenged. To me, life looks more like a circle than a step by step “line.”
Simply put, while we desire to equip others for cell ministry, life is happening! When you provide to your (potential) leaders a circular training experience, then you are joining them in their real life journey. You are coming alongside them in a practical, reasonable and workable manner. You are acknowledging that they have a life that may not always mesh with the calendar of the church.
Some questions to consider: Is there pliability and flexibility in your approach to equip others? Is the senior pastor doing all the equipping or are others able to equip? What about group size? Can your equipping be done with 3 or 30 people? Can your equipping be delivered in a living room, sitting around a cafe table, or in a worship center? Can a cell leader train others?
I trust the point of these questions is clear: Diversify how you equip your (potential) leaders. Everyone does not have to be equipped the same way for all time.
In summation, if your training experience is linear (lacking fluidity and flexibility), then maybe it’s time to circle up.
James Needham said,
April 23, 2008 @ 6:12 am
Some Somewhat Random thoughts -
I like the “circle” language AND the concept. It seems to me that this was the way that Jesus and Paul did it. Perhaps he had a “Lesson 5 - the Trinity and You” booklet, but somehow I just don’t think so. (A budding academic seeking tenure might investigate this and come up with a new theory *grin*).
Moreover, I get impatient with those kind of approaches because they tend to see discipleship as a “head experience” alone. The “stuff em with knowledge” approach means that the way Jesus saw discipleship - “teaching them to OBSERVE whatsoever I have commanded you” is shortchanged.
The value, however, is that it is intentional and systematic. So if one is meeting weekly to “work thru the next “discipleship” book they can also talk about real life.
Perhaps the book we should work through is the Bible? I admit, I’ve never tried it — and don’t know of many discipleship manuals that do it either. Hummm.
Randall Neighbour said,
April 23, 2008 @ 6:30 am
Ah Rob, you drive home a good point. Ask anyone if they want training and few will say they want it. Ask them if they want deeper friendships that will help them grow personally and in ministry, and everyone will jump at the opportunity. It’s all about ongoing and deepening relationships with leaders who know a little more about leading and want to gently relate to others over the course of time to share what they know.
I love the way The Message version reads from 1 Peter 5:1-3:
I have a special concern for you church leaders. I know what it’s like to be a leader, in on Christ’s sufferings as well as the coming glory. Here’s my concern: that you care for God’s flock with all the diligence of a shepherd. Not because you have to, but because you want to please God. Not calculating what you can get out of it, but acting spontaneously. Not bossily telling others what to do, but tenderly showing them the way.
It’s the spontaneous aspect of leadership that’s so non-linear.
Jeff Bassette said,
April 23, 2008 @ 8:01 am
HI Rob,
Joel just got done working through discipleship track issues with our leadership board and pastoral staff last weekend. I like what you’re saying, and what Randall says, about leading with relationship first. I”m wondering what your church uses for a “discipleship path” and how you implement in in “circular” fashion. Perhaps you could comment on this, or write an entry on it in future blogs.
PS. I just picked up your book, Dance With Me Daddy, and look forward to reading it.
Rob Campbell said,
April 23, 2008 @ 1:57 pm
Jeff~
Great suggestion. I will briefly discuss CCC’s “discipleship path” in next week’s blog post.
Iain said,
April 23, 2008 @ 10:11 pm
Concerning discipleship tracks etc. I have heard similar issues similar to what James has raised… It seems a common difficulty, especially in transitioning church scenarios. A flawed concept of ‘maturity’ is one of the root causes that causes problems when trying to sort out how to use discipleship ‘materials’ when ‘disciplying’. A lot of people equate ‘maturity’ with knowledge. That’s the old style of disciple making. A linear approach is consistent with knowledge gathering. A circle approach is of course relational. In fact you can dispense with close relationships if knowledge is the key to becoming a better disciple! So what do we do to break this thinking? I have found this helps.
Make sure that people understand that discipleship track materials do not disciple anyone. People disciple people. The discipleship track is just a tool that the leaders in the church use. A booklet, a seminar, a DVD, great teaching etc cannot disciple anyone. These are just tools to be used. The circular discipleship method can use many tools, in many formats, in many configurations. But the tools do not disciple anybody. They are just tools!
I work in the IT industry. We have a special term that can be used to describe the type of disciplying we are aiming for here. It is ‘iterative’. “Characterised by or involving repetition, recurrence, reiteration, or repetitiousness.” When we build software we keep checking and rebuilding it using an iterative approach. This is to make sure it works! This is where linear approaches to disciple making fall down, no one goes back to check if teaching material has resulted in any change in the disciple. This can occur even if you are using cell based material (like the expensive booklets you brought back from the conference you might have been to …). Magic is not in the booklets!
The questions Rob asked in his post are all about the ‘process’. That’s what has to be sorted out first. Key is in the process, how you USE the materials…
Bishop Joseph Kimani said,
April 27, 2008 @ 11:10 am
I appreciate the lessons in the different topics given through email…..I shall be happy to read more materials as I said I had had such training before but in different topics aimed at reaching our goals through the Church Cells but equally was very effective. The different sbjects are very helpful indeed.
Bishop Joseph Kimani said,
April 27, 2008 @ 11:19 am
The cell group is easily effective to three people… this better than to 30 or to congregation,and better around a cofee table in the sitting room.Yes, one becomes more frexible as he/she understands the end or the aims, and objectives of the Church cells, hence the goals to be reached through the growth of the church cells