Month: June 2007

On an earlier blog I said that cell multiplication is simply the context in which a disciple is formed, and that the true goal of cell multiplication is to make disciples who make disciples.

I just got back on Tuesday from a week-long cell ministry trip to Cordoba, Argentina. I spoke in Spanish throughout the day to the 300 participants in this cell/mission conference. In the evening, Pablo Deiros, a well-known Argentinian pastor and scholar, preached on missions. I really liked the way that Marcelo Abel, the main organizer, tied cell and missions together.

Cell and missions, in fact, are natural partners. Both are committed to making disciples who make disciples. Jesus said, “. . . go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19).

Notice the phrase “all nations.” We know that cell ministry is perfectly suited for making disciples who make disciples. Yet, a true disciple of Jesus Christ should ALSO have his or her eyes fixed on the nations. A true disciple will always be missionary oriented.

Some cell churches have done an excellent job of connecting missions with disipleship. Take Antioch Community Church in Waco, Texas. This cell church breathes Christ’s passion for the nations and is well-known for starting cell churches all over the world. Their web site proclaims what they’re all about: “A Passion for Jesus and His Purposes in the Earth.” The Hong Kong Cell Church and Missions network is another great example on connecting cells and missions.

If we’re committed to making disciples that make disciples through cell church ministry, let’s make sure that the disciples we produce also have a vision for the nations.

Comments?

Joel

Another key factor that positively impacts multiplication is making new contacts. I’m referring here to contact with non-Christians or unchurched people. The critera was simply “new contacts.” The survey showed that cell leaders who contact five to seven new people per month have an 80% chance of multiplying the cell group!

Now, the survey was mainly focused on the cell leader making the contacts but the same principle applies to group members.

The reality is that we reap what we sow. Galatians 6:7 says, “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.” Many groups behave as if people will unexpantantly just walk in the door. They act like a farmer hoping that an unexpected crop will show up in the summer without any seed sowing or preparation. No, Scripture is clear that we reap what we sow.

One tool that will get your cell leaders and members thinking about reaching out and making contact is Dave Earley’s 8 Habits of Effective Small Group Leaders. This book offers practical tips and suggestions to evangelize and invite new people to the group. I highly recommend it. My book Share: Make Christ Real to Others is another one that you’ll want to place in the hands of your cell members.
Comments?

Joel

P.S.: If you’re interested in seeing the 29-question handout that was given to 700 cell leaders (as well as the general summaries), click here. If you’d like to see all the statistical details,click here

Joel’s post yesterday reminds us of the importatnce of training cell leaders.  The comments to this post from Jeff, Iain and Bill were thoughtful, sincere and constructive.  Take a moment to read them.  I, too, appreciate Jeff’s transparency concerning the cell journey in his church family.  I also like his willingness to own where his church family is concerning training and multiplication.

Let me add one major thought to a cell church’s quest to train the leaders.  Simply put, I would say 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 study “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 intellctually stimulating.  I hope this is true for your church family!  But, this linear approach needs to be challenged.  To me, life looks more like a circle than a step by step “line.”

For example, one key ingredient in my church family’s training of cell leaders is the Enounter retreat.  Currently, we offer this retreat two times per year (for children, youth, college, men and women).  For illustrative purposes, let’s say that the next Encounter retreat is in October.  Yet, in August (obviously, two months prior to the Encounter retreat) we want to equip our (potential) leaders in “Developing a Heart for the Harvest.”  Back in the day, we required our (potential) leaders to attend Encounter and then enroll in “Developing a Heart for the Harvest.”  This was a mistake.  The pastoral team helped me see:  “While we desire to equip/ train our people, life is happening!”  We needed to shift from a linear training mindset to a circular mindset.  We have made this shift!

I’ll be the first to confess that it’s not always tidy and may even seem illogical.  You may have an individual attend your course of study “3,” then course of study “1,” attend the Encounter retreat, and then enroll in course of study “2.”  But, please stay with me (especially my melancholy friends)!  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 (potential) leaders and training 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.

A question to ponder:  Has an individual in your church family been delayed in leading a group because she couldn’t attend a certain equipping seminar, training session, or course of study?  My hunch is that a large percentage of cell pastors would exclaim, “Oh, absolutely… this has happened before…a bunch of times!”

Let’s continue to probe.  Is there pliability and flexibility in your approach to train (potential) leaders?  For example, is the senior pastor doing all the equipping or are others empowered to equip?  What about group size?  Can your training be done with 3 or 30 people?  Can your training 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 blatantly clear:  Diversify how you train your (potential) leaders.  Everyone does not have to be trained 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, my friends!

Comments?

Another factor that correlated positively with cell multiplication was training. According to the survey, cell leaders who feel better trained multiply their cells more rapidly. However, training is not as important as the leader’s prayer life and goal orientation.

But training is essential. Training gives a future cell leader confidence. Training will never answer all the questions, but it does give the future leader the foundational principles to minister to others.

Training comes before multiplication. Sometimes people mistakenly think that the cell leader picks a willing member and says, “go lead the new cell group.” The proper order, rather, is “get into the equiping track and prepare to someday lead a new cell group.” Great cell churches have clear-cut equipping tracks that prepare regular church members to become future cell leaders. The path is clear and so are the steps to get there.

My book Leadership Explosion talks about the different training tracks among cell churches and the principles that characterize the best ones. I’ve also designed my own five-book equipping series that takes a person from salvation all the way to leading a cell group.

Why do you think training is important? or What are some key training principles that you’ve found important?

Joel

P.S.: If you’re interested in seeing the 29-question handout that was given to 700 cell leaders (as well as the general summaries), click here. If you’d like to see all the statistical details,click here

For the last two blogs, we’ve been looking at factors that had nothing to do with cell multiplication. Let’s now look at some things that have a lot to do with cell leadership and multiplication.

My blog on May 23 and 25th explored the cell leader’s devotional life and intercession for cell members. You’ll remember that these were key factors that DID correlate with cell multiplication.

Another aspect was the leader spending time with God in preparation for a cell meeting. The statistics clearly showed that spending time with God preparing the heart for a cell meeting is more important than preparing the lesson.

More than lesson preparation, small-group success depends on the leader’s personal spiritual preparation. It’s a mistake, in fact, to think that anything is more important than the leader’s spiritual preparation before the group starts (such as, refreshments, lessons, a vacuumed rug, etc.). Basking in God’s presence will fill a leader with the power, insight and confidence necessary to successfully lead the group to new heights.

I tell leaders to do themselves the favor of spending 30 minutes or even an hour in His presence before the small group starts. Even if time is scarce, it’s so important to MAKE time for soul preparation. The group will benefit from that time spent!

Comments?

Joel
 

P.S.: If you’re interested in seeing the 29-question handout that was given to 700 cell leaders (as well as the general summaries), click here. If you’d like to see all the statistical details,click here