by Jeff Tunnell
We have a propensity to want to know where we are going before we leave where we are. That is, we desire answers before we even know all of the questions. When we spend too much effort on this it is called the ‘paralysis of analysis.’ We can spend anywhere from hours to years trying to sort through all of the possible solutions, often before we encounter any problems. The bottom line is this: we have to start and then make mid-course corrections as we move along. The old Chinese Proverb holds true: the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.
This month’s blog is all about taking the secret, the mystery of cell ministry. The mystery, the secret, that what you don’t know now will be revealed as you take the next step. For some of you, this means starting the first pilot group. For others, it’s developing the discipleship equipping, or leading a cell group so that you as the lead pastor can experience cell life.
Just do it. Step out. Be like Peter and take that walk on the water. Jesus is there, just like he is committed to house to house ministry.
Be comforted. Many biblical figures took the first step and found that God was right there:
- Abram left Ur
- Peter stepped out of the boat onto the water
- Saul went to Straight Street’
- The 120 remained in the upper room until God’s power came
- David faced Goliath
Each of these situations might not have happened because of the paralysis of analysis. But faith in God won the day. Stop looking for all of the answers (especially the secret ones offered by many) before you launch out into cell ministry. Just do it. Launch out into the deep of relational cell ministry today!
Jeff
Korean blog (click here)
Portuguese blog:
Análise ou Fé?
por Jeff Tunnell
Nós temos uma propensão a querer saber onde estamos indo antes de sairmos de onde estamos. Ou seja, nós desejamos respostas antes mesmo de sabermos todas as perguntas. Quando nós gastamos muito esforço nisso, chamamos de "paralisia de análise". Podemos gastar desde horas a anos tentando passar por todas as soluções possveis, muitas vezes antes mesmo de encontrarmos quaisquer problemas. O ponto-chave é esse: nós temos que começar e depois fazer correções durante o trajeto à medida que avançamos. O velho Provérbio Chinês é válido: a jornada de mil milhas começa com um único passo.
Os blogs deste mês são sobre encontrar o segredo, o mistério do ministério de células. O mistério, o segredo, de que o que você não sabe agora será revelado conforme você dá o próximo passo. Para alguns de vocês, isso significa iniciar o primeiro grupo piloto. Para outros, é desenvolver o equipamento de discipulado ou liderar uma célula de modo que você, como o pastor principal, possa experimentar a vida da célula.
Apenas faça. Saia. Seja como Pedro e faça aquela caminhada na água. Jesus está lá, exatamente como ele está comprometido com o ministério de casa em casa.
Seja confortado. Muitas figuras bblicas deram o primeiro passo e descobriram que Deus estava com eles:
- Abraão deixou Ur
- Pedro saiu do barco e pisou nas águas
- Saulo foi à Rua Direita
- Os 120 permaneceram no cenáculo até que o poder de Deus veio
- Davi enfrentou Golias
Cada uma dessas situações poderia não ter acontecido por causa da paralisia de análise. Mas a fé em Deus venceu o dia. Pare de procurar por todas as respostas (especialmente as secretas que são oferecidas por muitos) antes de lançar-se para o ministério celular. Apenas faça. Se lance hoje na profundeza do ministério celular relacional!
Jeff
Spanish blog:
Análisis o la fe.
Por Jeff Tunnell
Tenemos una tendencia a querer saber dónde vamos antes de irnos de donde nos encontramos. Es decir, queremos respuestas antes de saber las preguntas. Cuando pasamos mucho esfuerzo en esto se llama la “parálisis de análisis". Podemos pasar en cualquier lugar desde horas a años tratando de ordenar todas las posibles soluciones, a menudo antes de que nos encontramos con algún problema. La conclusión es la siguiente: tenemos que empezar y luego hacer correcciones sobre la marcha a medida que avanzamos a lo largo. El viejo proverbio chino es cierto: el viaje de mil millas comienza con un solo paso.
El blog de este mes se trata de tomar el secreto, el misterio del ministerio celular. El misterio, el secreto, de lo que usted no sabe ahora se revela cuando se toma el siguiente paso. Para algunos de ustedes, esto significa poner en marcha el primer grupo piloto. Para otros, es el desarrollo del equipamiento de discipulado, o dirigir un grupo celular como el pastor principal para experimentar la vida celular.
Simplemente hazlo. Sal fuera. Sé cómo Pedro y da ese paso por el agua. Jesús está all, de la misma manera que se ha comprometido al ministerio de casa en casa.
Mantente cómodo. Muchas figuras bblicas dieron el primer paso y encontraron que Dios estaba all:
• Abram salió de Ur
• Pedro salió de la barca al agua
• Saúl fue a la calle Recta
• El 120 se quedaron en el aposento alto hasta que llegó el poder de Dios
• David enfrentó a Goliat
Cada una de estas situaciones no podra haber ocurrido a causa de la parálisis de análisis. Pero la fe en Dios ganó el da. Deja de buscar todas las respuestas (especialmente los secretos ofrecidos por muchos) antes de que despegues en el ministerio celular. Simplemente hazlo. Despega mar adentro en el ministerio celular relacional hoy.
Jeff
“Take another lap around the mountainâ€.
I have vehemently disagree with those pursuing cell-based church ministry who seem stuck in this “Que Sera, Sera — Whatever Will Be, Will Be†matrix.
The following comes from chapter 15 of my book titled, “Creating Christian Communities – The Structure and Strategy of a Simple Cell-Based Church Systemâ€â€¦
————
Why Do We Need a System?
In a session titled, Picture of a Pure Cell Church, Brother Billy Hornsby taught:
1. It is imperative that we have a clear picture of what we want to be in our mature and final state. We can’t just hope that we end up that way; we must start out that way! To do so, we must have a mature template to follow throughout the entire process. A highly developed model can be reproduced endless number of times until the city is saturated with cell groups that are part of a predictable system where the Holy Spirit can move freely.
2. We need a predictable system to fully utilize the unpredictable people in our churches; people with different gifts, backgrounds, and temperaments.
3. Each component must be simple, easy to learn and have predictable results.
4. We cannot ask people to go out and create their own groups or ministries and expect a large percentage to be successful. We must plug them into a successful system. Example: 80% failure rate for small businesses compared to 80% success rate for franchise stores with proven systems.
5. With a proven system, we will have an 80% or better success rate.
Yes, We Need a System
Around the world there are franchise sandwich restaurants known as “SUBWAYâ€. “Fred DeLuca’s SUBWAY is a success story with a message.”
Evidently, when SUBWAY began selling sandwiches, DeLuca knew he needed a system to follow in training ordinary people with ordinary skills to make and sell extraordinary sandwiches. DeLuca’a SUBWAY system has proven to be successful.
I have a sister who once owned and operated her own sandwich shop. Sure, when my sister started her shop she knew how to make delicious sandwiches and had some accounting skills. But, unfortunately, my sister’s venture in the sandwich shop business was unsuccessful. Why? After all, a sandwich shop is a sandwich shop. Isn’t it?
What Made the Difference?
SUBWAY evidently began with a clear picture of what they wanted to be in their mature and final state. My sister had no idea.
SUBWAY evidently understood that to be successful a business must start out with a proven system. My sister had no idea.
SUBWAY evidently understood that to be successful a business must have a mature template to follow throughout the entire process. My sister had no idea.
We who claim to have caught the vision for cell-based church ministry and are attempting to plant a simple cell-based church can learn much from SUBWAY.
Acts 1:8, Jesus says,
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and we will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
SUBWAY’s sandwich shops are located throughout the world – literally, to the ends of the earth! How did SUBWAY manage that? Was it with the help of the Holy Spirit? Possibly. I don’t know DeLuca so I can’t say whether or not the Holy Spirit contributed his success. But hopefully, we who claim to have caught the vision for the structure and strategy of a simple cell-based church system do have the Holy Spirit within us! And so, why can’t we establish simple cell-based church systems in our city, state, and nation and beyond?
Jesus said,
“You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”
He who is in us is greater than he who is in the world! Imagine the possibilities once we understand the importance of identifying and implementing a proven system working in tandem with the presence of the Holy Spirit.
————
God, I pray I live long enough to see leaders within the cell church movement come to understand and embrace the need for structure and strategy within a simple cell-based church system.
Sharing the Journey,
Rick Diefenderfer