Month: August 2008

 

by Steve Cordle

 

Developing an outward-oriented mindset in our groups and churches may be simpler –and maybe harder — than we think.

Knowing that the older a church gets the less outwardly-focused it tends to be, I once asked Larry Kreider “From your experience, what are the keys to keeping a church fired up about evangelism?”

He replied, “You don’t really want to know.”

“Sure, I do”, I said.

“Well,” he said, “the churches which stay strong in evangelism have pastors who are  evangelistic.”

Larry was saying it was the heart of the leader that mattered most, not a program or practice.

Jesus said, “A student is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher.” (Luke 6:40)

As leaders, it is sobering to realize that our groups and churches are becoming a little more like us everyday. So the first place to look for the key to vital outreach is in our hearts. Is my heart increasingly reflecting Jesus’ passion for the lost? Am I personally connecting with preChristians? Am I praying specifically for a few people I know? If so, it is likely my group, my staff, and my church, will be doing the same.

by Rob Campbell

www.cypresscreekchurch.com

Joel’s post yesterday encouraged the cell church to be on mission.  Ideally, every cell should be on mission.  A cell should commit to being missionaries in the neighborhood, city, and/or world.  Seeing outside of the cell gathering and participating in kingdom work by serving others breathes life into a cell.

Let me suggest a few thoughts concerning the cell church being on mission.

First, start by partnering with a few ministries/missionaries/pastors versus supporting a whole array of individuals around the world.  In other words, “do a few well.”  As God grants you more opportunities, then pray and consider expanding your missions support.

Next, connect with those whom you support heart to heart.  Don’t simply send money.  Begin and nurture a life giving relationship.

Third, go visit your ministry partners around the world at least once a year.  If you personally can’t go, then make sure a person from your church family journeys to the particular site.  Such trips will prove to be encouraging to your ministry partners around the world.  Further, you will see their ministry site, the circumstances of their geographical area, and more.  In essence, you will be able to appreciate their ministries in a deeper way.

Finally, make sure that someone in your church family is praying for your ministry partners around the world every day.  Recently, I was in Thessaloniki, Greece teaching at a church that is one of our ministry partners.  I said, “Please know that at least one person from Cypress Creek Church is praying for you every day.”  The place exploded with applause….shouts….and tears.  They were shocked and very thankful for our prayers.  

Comments?  

I just got back Saturday evening from a CCMN (Cell Church Mission Network) conference in Mexico Cty. 3500 people were registered. I, Mario Vega, Ben Wong, and Edmundo Guillén spoke 4Xs each (Edmundo is senior pastor of Lluvias de Gracia, a huge cell church in Guatemala). I felt that Ben Wong raised the bar for the rest of us. Not only is Ben a very engaging speaker, but the theme of his messages were absolutely right on. Ben spoke on the need to send missionaries around the world–especially to the 10-40 area of the world ( this is the area which has the highest level of poverty and the least access to the Christian message).

Ben reminded us about the need to connect cell church with missions. Cell churches are all about raising up new leaders–they are leader breeders. Yet often we don’t go far enough. We raise up cell leaders for our own churches but fail to cast the vision for missionary church planting around the world.

Those who have led a cell group, multiplied it and coached the new leader (s) have a great foundation to plant cell churches worldwide. Jesus longs to send some of those fruitful leaders to mission field–especially the 10-40 window.

What has been your experience with connecting cells and missions?

 

Joel Comiskey

by Mario Vega

In response to the questions posted on this blog I must say that Elim church’s cell system has only two meetings per week. One is the planning meeting and the other one is the cell meeting itself.

Last week I wrote regarding the planning meeting. The cell meeting is, as it’s well known, the one that has the purpose of multiplication, evangelism, fellowship and teaching.

Some churches have made their own adjustments. I know of a church that dedicates its one week meeting for the cells’ nucleus to plan, on the next week they carry out the cell meeting with the guests. In this case, they conduct their cell meetings with guests every two weeks. This is another way to do it.

The purpose of presenting this element of Elim’s model is only to advise the importance of keeping in mind the planning principle. Each church must develop its own model according to their unique circumstances. In El Salvador having these two meetings per week has given us good results. This is only our experience.

Comments?

Mario

DOS REUNIONES CELULARES POR SEMANA

Respondiendo a preguntas hechas a éste blog debo decir que el sistema de células de iglesia Elim tiene solamente dos reuniones por semana. Una es la reunión de planificación y la otra es la reunión de célula propiamente dicha.

Con respecto a la reunión de planificación fue que escrib la semana anterior. La reunión de célula es la que, como se sabe, tiene por propósito la multiplicación, la evangelización, la comunión y la enseñanza.

Algunas iglesias han hecho sus propias adecuaciones. Sé de una iglesia que dedica la reunión de una semana para que el núcleo de la célula planifique, la siguiente
semana realizan la reunión de célula con los invitados. En este caso, ellos realizan las reuniones con los invitados cada dos semanas. Es otra forma de hacerlo.

El propósito de dar a conocer éste elemento del modelo de Elim es solamente para que se tenga el cuidado de tener presente el principio de la planificación. Cada iglesia debe desarrollar su propio modelo de acuerdo a sus circunstancias únicas. En El Salvador nos ha dado resultado el tener estas dos reuniones por semana. Es solamente nuestra experiencia.

by Rob Campbell

www.cypresscreekchurch.com

Recently, a leader from a cell church contacted me concerning finding a pastor.  Now, my preference is to lift up individuals from one’s own church to serve as pastors.  However, I am aware of the fact that this is not the only way to secure pastors for cell churches.

Therefore, if you are a cell church looking for a pastor, then what resources do you utilize?  Further, if you are interested in pastoring a cell church, then how do you find one that may be interested in you?

Let’s comment about “finding a pastor…finding a church.”  Maybe we can be used of God to partner some folks together in ministry.  Please comment.

I’d also be interested in hearing your thoughts on lifting up members from within your church family to pastor versus calling men/women from outside your church family to pastor.  Now, this should be some intriguing interaction, eh?

Take a few minutes and comment