Month: January 2010

by Mario Vega

The church’s history shows an oscillating behavior between movements and institutionality. Movements of God count on the dynamism, expansion and freshness. In contrast, when the movement comes to be institutionalized, its dynamism ceases and acquires less flexible structures that continue to last over time. The danger of the institution is that it can become dry and and demand a new movement to awake it.

Up until now, the cellular work has preserved the characteristics of a movement. But little by little, it is institutionalizing. This is not necessarily negative since the institution allows the values of the movement to systematize and be preserved over time. But there is also the risk that the institution will dry up and become another pious tradition.

How can we ensure that despite the necessary institutionalization the cell work may preserve the freshness of the movement? The only way is by maintaining a balance between two key two elements. This is easily said but difficult to put into practice.

The key lies in maintaining a balance that can only be given by the Word of God and the Holy Spirit. It is not about a human calculation but of dependence on God that directs His work wisely. Every institution that becomes dry at some point breaks away from its dependence on God.

The cell work will retain its freshness only when the Word of God and the Holy Spirit remain as the center. The Holy Spirit will enlighten His people to interpret His word in each new circumstance of life. The relevance of the Word will go hand and hand with the Holy Spirit’s illunimation. We must maintain an attentive ear to God’s Word and stay in communion with God. In this way we will find the key for the cell movement to retain its dynamism and conquest.

Want to add other thoughts?

Mario

Translation in Spanish

Preservando la frescura del movimiento.

La historia de la iglesia muestra un comportamiento pendular entre el movimiento y la institucionalidad. El movimiento cuenta con el dinamismo, la expansión y la frescura. En cambio, cuando el movimiento llega a institucionalizarse, su dinamismo cesa y adquiere estructuras menos flexibles pero más perdurables en el tiempo. Esa institución corre el peligro de volverse seca y demandar el sacudimiento de un nuevo movimiento de despertar.

Hasta hoy, el trabajo celular ha conservado las caractersticas de un movimiento. Pero, poco a poco, va institucionalizándose. Esto, no necesariamente es negativo ya que la institución permite que los valores del movimiento se sistematicen y se conserven en el tiempo. Pero, también existe el riesgo que la institución llegue a secarse y se convierta 1en una tradición piadosa más.

¿Cómo podemos lograr que a pesar de la necesaria institucionalización el trabajo celular conserve la frescura del movimiento? La única manera es conservando un equilibrio entre ambos elementos. Esto se dice fácil, pero es difcil el llevarlo a la práctica.

La clave se encuentra en conservar un balance que solamente lo puede dar la Palabra de Dios y el Espritu Santo. No se trata de un cálculo humano sino de una dependencia de Dios que dirige su obra de manera sabia. En realidad, la institución que llega a secarse es aquella que en algún momento rompió su dependencia de Dios.

El trabajo celular conservará su frescura solamente cuando la Palabra de Dios y el Espritu Santo sigan siendo el centro de todo este movimiento. El Espritu Santo iluminará a su pueblo para interpretar su Palabra en cada nueva circunstancia de la vida. La pertinencia de la Palabra será expresión de los caminos que el Espritu abra.

Esta obra solamente podrá ser percibida por aquellos que con odo atento conserven su comunión con Dios y, all, se encontrará la clave para que el movimiento celular conserve su dinamismo y conquista.

¿Más pensamientos para agregar?

by Jeff Tunnell

www.bigbearchristiancenter.org

Fishing in our town is done with poles, not nets.  This is a resort town with a man made lake, stocked to the fisherman’s delight!  Trout, Bass, Bluegill, Catfish, and a few others are just waiting to be caught.  Even after four decades of living here  I do not fish.

But net fishing for men is quite a different conversation.  In cells, we make “nets” to become fishers of men as a group.  This is the season of mending those nets for the coming year.  Cell activity is a little slower during January due to the recent holiday period.  This gives us a moment to examine the last year’s statistics and evaluate existing momentum.

Are the leaders tired, or excited?  Have there been salvations, baptisms, and regular progress through the training track?  Are new leaders being formed?  Are some nearly prepared for launching?  Would it be good to merge a couple of waning cells?  Is it time to “push” a little on a stalled out leader who is reluctant to multiply?  What is the health level of each leader?

Stepping back and getting a longer view of your work is helpful.  Healthy cells are the nets that we cast into our community to accomplish the work Jesus gave us.  Attention to the continued well being of leaders is so very important.  Where do your nets need mending?

Jeff

By Rob Campbell

www.cypresscreekchurch.com

Admittedly, this will be the shortest blog I’ve ever posted. Short and simple. Simple means easy to understand, deal with and use. I trust this will be your experience.

In light of Joel’s post yesterday as many of us ponder God’s vision for 2010, let me suggest you ponder the quote below:

“Church is not a place you go to but a place you come from.” (Dave Browning)

‘Nough said!

Comments?

Rob

What is your vision for 2010? What is God leading you to accomplish in your church in 2010? Perhaps your groups are too large and you need to give birth to new ones. Or maybe they’re too small and you need to stir your people to develop relationships with unchurched people. Or perhaps God is leading you to build deeper community within your existing small groups. For example, at my church, Wellspring, God is speaking to us about doing a better job of coaching our leaders and making sure they stay healthy in 2010. Coaching is so critical for the long-term health of cell groups, and we at Wellspring need to do a better job of it. I’m coaching another church planting pastor who needs to develop an equipping track in 2010.

I recommend the following process:

1. Spend time in God’s presence and His Word to discover His plan for you this next year.
2. Get team buy-in, whether at a staff level or core team level within your cell group. Don’t try to fulfill the vision alone.
3. Take baby-steps. Remember that a 1000 mile journey begins with a single step.
4. Evaluate your vision throughout the year. It’s okay to make mid-term adjustments. Work as a team to fulfill the vision.
5. Celebrate what God has done at the end of the year.

We at JCG would like to help resource your vision through:

• Blogs. Monday through Thursday we provide blogs about cell church ministry from practitioners in the field, including the senior pastor of the second largest church in the world. Sign up here to receive these blogs in your email inbox.
• Articles. In the article section of our website, you’ll find helpful information on cell church ministry (including a list of recommended books).
• Coaching. We provide coaching to help you better fulfill God’s plan for your church.
• Seminars. Check out the seminar for 2010, and we want to especially emphasize the Day with Joel and Mario on February 24, 2010.

Please comment HERE on the vision God has given you and your church for 2010. What do you plan on doing about it? How can JCG help you in the process?