Good and Pleasant Teamwork

David expressed what we are experiencing as a staff here at Allen. He said, “How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!” Psalm 133:1

A few days ago Jeff Tunnell talked about how “Two Are Better Than One.” He said, “We need the camaraderie and brotherhood of others for mutual encouragement, mentoring, sharpening of skills and broadening of ideas in our cell ministry.”

Our staff is actually experiencing this and we are working well together. There are a couple of things that lead to this unity and camaraderie. Each of us including the Senior Pastor is involved at some level in a cell. Some of us lead a cell, some of us coach as well as lead a cell, while others simply participate in a cell because of other levels of responsibility. We understand the importance of connecting in community and being in each other’s lives. It’s a value we all hold in common and this strengthens us as a team.

Having a cohesive team is important in any situation but I feel it is even more critical in the cell church. One of the greatest moves we have made is to simplify our objective as a church. Each person on the staff focuses on that objective and therefore our ministries all fit into a directional flow that leads toward the fulfillment of that objective. So when we come together in a team meeting, there is this sense of togetherness and encouragement. We are helping and supporting one another. We understand the importance of “integration.” Everything we do fits the objective and connects with everything else we’re doing. There is not a sense of competition but of cooperation.

On top of all that, we’re growing as friends and this leads to good and pleasant teamwork.

Comments? What have you done to enhance teamwork in your ministry?

Michael

Walking and Talking Cell Church Values

We have already established how important it is for the lead/senior pastor to actually take the lead when it comes to cell church vision and principles. It's not something that can be delegated away to someone else. This week we're looking at some practical ways to do this.

The lead/senior pastor has the opportunity to communicate cell church values every time he stands up to preach. I'm not referring to speaking about cells using cell church terminology but speaking and giving personal examples that reinforce the values that form the foundation of a cell church strategy.

For example: Instead of talking, "cells, cells, cells" speak about the beauty and benefit of community, the power of evangelism as a team, the need for "Spiritual Fathers and Mothers" to help and encourage those who are one step behind or just beginning their faith journey. Of course all these messages are strengthened by stories from your life and others who are participating in cell life.

Not only must you talk about the values but you must walk out those values as well. When you lead a cell or participate in a cell, you show that this is something you value, it is not just something you talk about. The same can be said about personal evangelism, and discipleship as well. The story about how God just used you to lead a person to Christ and how you are meeting him weekly for discipleship speaks volumes to those who are listening.

Bill Warren, our Senior Pastor, has been visiting cells and I continue to hear how that has encouraged the leaders and those in their cells. They get the feeling that they matter and what they are doing is important, just through a simple visit.

Both Bill, our Senior Pastor and I the Cell Pastor / Champion lead the monthly V.H.S. (vision, huddle and skill) meeting for all our cell leaders. He casts the vision for some aspect of our strategy. He also uses this as a time to honor those who have lived out the values we are teaching.

Another way to exemplify leadership in a cell church is to keep things simple and on task. In our setting, our objective is lived out in three words, "Connect, Grow and Serve." So everything we do and say comes back to living out these three objectives and helping others to understand how they can live them out as well.

People will tend to value what they see you doing rather than what they hear you saying. So make sure what you are saying is supported by what you are doing and you will exemplify cell church leadership that will invite others to follow.

Comments or other practical suggestions?

Michael

The Real "Cell Pastor"

I'm am in my fourth year serving as cell pastor at Allen Memorial. I was hired to help our church transition to become a cell church that impacts the world for Christ. From the very first interview I had many questions. You see, I had been a church planter and lead pastor for eighteen years. I knew that my title as cell pastor was really a misnomer. A better description of my role would be "Cell Champion."

Sure, I could be a great help assisting the Senior Pastor by focusing on leadership development, coaching, equipping, writing cell materials, helping cells to focus on evangelism and missions. But I understood from the day I was hired who the real cell pastor was.

The Senior Pastor can never give away his role as cell pastor or visionary if a church is to transition to be a cell church and not just a church with groups. He must be involved and model himself cell church values like community, personal evangelism, and the importance of making disciples.

Even more important than that, he must be a man of prayer, seeking to be "filled with the Spirit" day by day, meeting God to hear from Him and to receive power, vision and direction to lead the charge.

If you are a Senior Pastor, having someone to function as "Cell Champion" can really make a difference. They can put all their effort and focus into the cell system and people development, but never forget who the real "Cell Pastor" is. You are so important to the fulfillment of the vision. We will stand by your side, pray for you, encourage you and run with you but we need you to lead the charge. Your example speaks more than your words. Show us the way!