Relationships are the Bottom Line

We have been talking all month about reports and statistics and how they can help in measuring growth, health and potential of your cell / holistic group system. I stress a point I made earlier, simple is better. I gain the greatest insight about what is going on through the on-going relationships with my leaders and coaches and visits to see them in action.

Last night I visited a cell and I learned more by participation and observation than I would have by simply looking at a written report. I also got to meet two new people who were attending the cell. Sure their names will show up on the report the office will receive today. But now I know who they are and gained insight into who they are as a person and a little about their story. I learned much as I observed them and the rest of the group members throughout the evening. Now when I meet with this cell leader for my monthly one-on-one time together, the list of names comes alive and I can help him see the potential in the people who surround him week after week.

During a one-on-one time last Saturday with one of my coaches I learned invaluable information about two other cell groups. Sure, I could look at the report from the cell leader he is coaching and see the names of those who are attending but what I learned through the face to face communication with this coach was that a relatively new member of that cell led the Word time in the gathering and did fantastic as a facilitator. I was able to approach this person and determine interest in being equipped to become a cell leader. I will work in conjunction with this coach and leader to see that this happens.

This same coach told me about the struggles of another cell and how they have not been able to establish a regular meeting place. Looking at the report I would have seen that they met in various locations but I would not have know about their desire to move south and establish a more stable place to meet. Because of my relationship with this coach I gained the needed insight to understand what was going on and now the coach and I can encourage the leader to make the necessary move.

Reports and statistics are important but it is in relationships where everything comes to life. Relate to your coaches and leaders and hang out with them and you will learn so much more than sitting in an office looking at a chart. Relationships are the bottom line to effective use of reports and statistics.

Comments?
Michael

"Bread and Butter" Cells before Specializing

This week I would like to speak to those who are just starting out with cells or transitioning toward a base of "holistic" cells.

When I first arrived at Allen three years ago, I came into a situation where there were some cells in place. The problem was that these cells were not "holistic" as we have been describing in our blogs this month. There was no leadership training or coaching in place. There was not a common vision or approach toward what happened as these cells gathered.

So the first thing we did was introduce training to help the existing leaders begin to understand cell life and the dimensions that make a cell holistic. A few weeks ago I introduced these dimensions and the questions to ask to determine if your cell is “holistic” in nature.

#1 (Upward) Are the people being directed into the presence of God?
#2 (Inward) Are the people experiencing community and serving one another.
#3 (Outward) Is the cell actively praying for and reaching out to the lost?
#4 (Forward) Are people being discipled and leaders being raised toward the next multiplication?

Next we made sure every cell leader was coached. I believe this is one of the most important aspects of a cell system. Everyone needs to be cared for, especially your cell leaders. Beyond this, one of the best decisions we made during this initial phase was to make our mixed (family) cells to be the "bread and butter" type cells we focused on starting. We didn't want to start specialized cells until we had the basic systems in place. So we said no to many requests about starting specialized cells and directed people to first participate in a mixed cell.

Now with 25 cells we are open to planting specialized cells, like recovery cells, women's cells, college cells, single mom's cells as well as forming networks. We now have a men's network. The key is train your leaders well and build a base of "bread and butter" type cells then God will begin to call different people to plant more specialized cells. But the common denominator is that all these cells are holistic in nature, there is a common training system and coaching structure in place.

This approach was very helpful in our startup phase and the first few years of our transition.

Comments? Questions? What has been your experience as far as types of cells in your system?

Michael

Weekly Threshold Ministry
by Michael Sove








The dictionary gives the following definitions for the word "threshold”:

1. The sill of a doorway
2. The entrance to a house or building
3. Any place or point of entering or beginning

I think the word threshold is a perfect word to describe cell ministry that penetrates the neighborhoods we live in. Wherever we go we carry the life of Christ. What an awesome picture to capture and a worthy vision to chase after. Taking the life of Christ across the thresholds of our homes and inviting others across that same threshold to experience that life! At Allen we call our cells "Neighborhood Life" with that vision in mind.

Since a cell church soars with two wings, celebration and cell, it makes sense to hold cell gatherings on a weekly basis as we do celebration services. Those who come to our weekly celebration services can be immediately be plugged into a cell and there can be continuity between what happens on Sunday and what happens in the cell.

Each month we hold three cell gatherings for edification and one cell gathering for outreach (usually on a weekend where people are more available). For the week following the first Sunday of the month all our cells hold parties and events in our neighborhoods for the purpose of outreach and helping unconnected people from our celebration services get connected. This month I invited my whole townhouse community to what we called "Ice Cream Sunday."

I pray that you and your cell members can catch a "Threshold" vision!

Your comments?

Michael

The Four Dimensions of a Holistic Cell
by Michael Sove

One of my favorite ways to determine wether a cell is holistic or not is to look for the following four dimensions. (upward, inward, outward and forward) The questions I ask are as follows:

#1 (Upward) Are the people being directed into the presence of God?
#2 (Inward) Are the people experiencing community and serving one another.
#3 (Outward) Is the cell actively praying for and reaching out to the lost?
#4 (Forward) Are people being discipled and leaders being raised toward the next multiplication?

As a church we have adopted the following definition for our cells and it has been very helpful. You will see the four dimensions are seen in the definition.

Definition of a Cell Group
A group of 4-15 people who have chosen to live together in biblical community for the purpose of Christ-centered worship, edification, relational evangelism and discipleship with the goal of multiplication.

A Closer Look at Our Definition of a Cell Group

Small Size (4-15 people) Cells should remain small enough so that each person can participate and intimacy in relationships can occur.

Regularity (meet weekly) Cells meeting weekly are the norm to promote continuity from the weekend services and to assure quality control. Guests from the weekend can immediately connect with a group.

Penetration (outside the church building) Cells meet outside the church building to penetrate the world where people live, move and breathe.

Upward (Christ-centered worship) Cells help people experience the presence of God.

Inward (biblical community) Cells provide the optimum environment for meaningful relationships to be developed. People are created for community.

Outward (for the purpose of evangelism) Cells pray for and reach out to those needing Christ. This is the reason for cells and is the priority of the cell as the group reaches out together.

Forward (discipleship and equipping) Cells offer pastoral care and a process for spiritual growth through an equipping track designed to help all toward become Spirit-filled servants of Christ.

Expansion (goal of multiplication) Cells focus on raising new leaders so new groups can be started and more people reached, developed and cared for.

Clarity in definition has helped us remain four dimensional and holistic in nature.

Comments? What definition do you use?

Michael

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!