by Joel Comiskey
One pastor of a cell church with 200 cells recently asked me two questions:
1. “How do I solve the problem of rivalries between the leaders?”
2. “How to I make sure that leaders don’t rob members from other cells and from other leaders?”
I answered him saying:
There is no easy answer to this problem. You will need to speak to these issues in your training and coaching. I believe that the essence of the cell church is to make disciples that make other disciples (generate other leaders). I believe that the atmosphere of the cell is the best one to produce disciples. At the same time, we must take heed to what Jesus said about those who would be His disciples. Jesus said that the entire world would recognize His disciples by their love, service, humility, and how they consider others better then themselves.
Jesus has been showing me lately the importance of applying the “one anothers” of the Bible and how a disciple of Jesus must practice these principles. Success in God’s kingdom revolves around serving one another and walking in humility–just like the community that exists within the Trinity.
You are going to have to teach your leaders and future leaders these principles. Yes, you could make “rules” to prevent “member stealing,” etc., but it seems to me that it’s much better if change comes from the leader’s heart, rather than from an external rule.
Perhaps you’d like to comment on one or more of the following questions:
Have you experienced rivalries between your leaders? Cell leader sheep stealing?
How have you dealt with such problems?
Joel
p.s.: remember to check out the cell symposium seminar sessions at cellsymposium.com (I teach on cell church transition and cell church planting)