Category: Cell Church Ministry

by Rob Campbell

www.cypresscreekchurch.com

This week, one of CCC’s network pastors relayed to me via email a few stories of life change.  I’m talking stories about salvation and redemption.  Nothing like these type of stories to provide wind for our sails, eh?

I’ve realized that each life changing story is hinged to prayer.  This reality encourages me to wrestle through the many hindrances that keep me from praying to a sovereign God.

Let me share a few words from Dom John Chapman (The Tablet, 1985).

“The only way to pray is to pray; and the way to pray well is to pray much.  If one has no time for this, then one must at least pray regularly.  But the less one prays, the worse it goes.  And if circumstances do not permit even regularity, then one must put up with the fact that when one does try to pray, one can’t pray– and our prayer will probably consist of telling this to God.  As to beginning afresh, or where you left off, I don’t think you have any choice.  You simply have to begin wherever you find yourself.  Make any acts you want to make and feel you ought to make, but do not force yourself into feelings of any kind…Yes, I suspect the only thing to do is to shut out….everything else, and just give yourself to God and beg him to have mercy on you, and offer him all your distractions.”

Henri Nouwen comments on Chapman’s words by writing, “It all boils down to his main point:  We must pray not first of all because if feels goods or helps, but because God loves us and wants our attention.”

Comments?

Rob

Could you give me your help in picking the title for my next book (October 2009)? This book will be primarily on community (e.g., fellowship, relationships, etc.).  As you know this is an important theme in the cell church/small group world.

Yet, there are a lot of books on community, so we decided to focus on how a follower of Jesus needs to be more relational and community oriented. I will establish the problem (isolationism/individualism) and talk about how God uses community relationships to make us more like him. And yes, I will talk about how those leading future groups need to be shaped in community. 

My editor felt it would be best to use the term “disciple” or “discipleship” to broaden the audience (some won’t pick up a book on leadership). However, I’ve received some feedback from those who think I should direct this book toward future leaders (this has been an emphasis in my past books). I’d like to know what you think.

Could you give me your #1 and #2 favorites:

1. The Relational Disciple: the priority of living in community
2. The Relational Leader: from Isolationism to Community
3. Relational Discipleship: how God Uses Community to Shape Followers of Jesus
4. Relational Leadership: how God Uses Community to Shape Us
5. Relationships: how God uses Community to Shape Us as Followers of Jesus

Thanks, 

Joel

by Mario Vega

In the process of inviting a new guest to the cell meeting, you must continue with a special gesture towards that person. This may be something simple but of great significance for this person: a visit when he or she is sick, remembering the birth date, an unexpected gift. Sadly, most people never do this.

When you are working to evangelize a person, what you do has much more impact than what you say. An action or gesture can be a decisive factor to introduce the gospel to the person.

When you have made an action with solidarity and love, the person will be so touched by that action that he or she will not refuse an invitation to go to a house where the message of the gospel is shared.

The curiosity that Christian conduct awakes is sufficient to trigger a desire to interact with such a person.

What do you think?

Mario

Translation in Spanish:

Una milla más.

En el proceso de hacer un invitado a la célula, se debe continuar con un gesto especial hacia esa persona. Puede tratarse de algo sencillo pero que será de gran significado para ella.

Una visita cuando se encuentra enferma, recordarse de su fecha de cumpleaños, un regalo inesperado. Es decir, aquello que la generalidad de personas nunca hace.

En el trabajo de evangelizar a una persona tiene mucho más peso lo que hacemos que lo que decimos. Una acción o un gesto puede ser un elemento determinante para presentar el evangelio a una persona.

Cuando se ha hecho una acción solidaria y de amor, la persona quedará tan marcada por ese acto que por ninguna razón rehusará una invitación para ir a una casa donde se comparte el mensaje del evangelio.

La curiosidad que despierta la conducta cristiana es suficiente para desatar un deseo de relacionarse con personas tan serviciales y que hacen lo que nadie más acostumbra hacer.

 

by Jeff Tunnell

www.bigbearchristiancenter.org

My wife and I helped with a surprise birthday party in one of the cells last night.  We gathered outside the house with a small band of friends and came in singing the familiar Happy Birthday tune just as the cell was ending. The person we were celebrating was so surprised that she was looking around the room trying to discover whose birthday it was not realizing that it was for her!

As we ate cake I spoke with a couple that was new to me. I was impressed to find out that SHE had recently rebuilt her own Jeep, engine and all.  She explained that when she went to the junkyard to get parts and advice, the owner took an interest in her project and began to coach her personally. As she approached each step of rebuilding the car, he would explain how to proceed and then watch her do the work, guiding her with his words, experience and attention but not doing the work for her.

I hope this leaves a picture in your mind as it did mine!  Effective coaching combined with close supervision are a quest when launching new cell leaders.  I believe that many “less than perfect” leaders could be utilized IF they have both of these; Regular relational contact with an experienced leader (supervision) and guidance that leads to success in cell ministry (coaching).

Last weekend my new acquaintance completed a brake job on her car all by herself…now to what conclusions does that lead you?

by Steve Cordle

I enjoy fresh fruit – but only when it’s ripe. I love a juicy orange, but I’ll pass on rock-hard pears and green bananas.

New leaders are part of the “fruit” of our cell ministry. But deploying a leader who is not ready (“ripe”) is a recipe for indigestion all around. 

A good equipping track will go a long way in preparing a person for leadership. However, just completing classes does not mean a person is ready to lead a group. What are the indicators that an apprentice is ready to lead a cell? Here are a few indicators:
– spiritually growing, as evidenced by a strong prayer and devotional life

– outreach effectiveness: have they brought someone to the group?

– influence with others in the group; would others look to them for spiritual direction?

– commitment to the church’s vision

– ability to submit to a coach

What are the top indicators for of leadership readiness in your ministry?

Steve