I’ve been thinking and writing a lot lately about how God uses community to shape followers of Jesus. That’s the theme of my book The Relational Disciple, which is set to see daylight in October 2009.

In Relational Disciple, I contrast the way we do discipleship in the west (individualistic approach) with the way Jesus discipled people (though accountability relationships).

While growing as a believer I attended a large, well-known church in the southern California area. One of the attractive features of this church was anonymity. The church’s philosophy was to make it easy for people to come, leave, give, or not to give. People flocked to the church for the pastoral teaching, but everything depended on whether the individual attendee was able to personally apply the teaching. Thankfully, God gave me the grace to apply the teaching and follow Jesus. Many weren’t so fortunate and fell away. Today, many churches use the same philosophy of anonymity to grow their churches.

Jesus discipled people differently. Take the first twelve disciples of Christ. They lived, walked, and ate with Jesus for three full years. Jesus taught them through parables and real-life object lessons–not primarily in the large group setting. The early church followed the same example. They applied the apostles teaching from house to house. And when they could no longer hear the apostle’s teaching openly, they only met from house to house.

The private, individualized form of discipleship practiced in the west is now having disastrous consequences (North America, Europe, Australia). All three continents are leading the world in negative church growth.

Christ’s plan was discipleship through accountability at a smaller group level. Look at the one-another’s of Scripture, the example of the Trinity, and the witness of church history–starting with Jesus and the twelve. In my upcoming book I will talk about how discipleship must start at the nuclear family level (if relational discipleship doesn’t happen there, everything else will implode). And of course I highlight the cell, the local church, and the church scattered in mission.

I believe Christ is calling His church back to relational discipleship.

Comments?

Joel Comiskey

by Mario Vega

One of the greatest gaps in our model for several years was that we did not have an appropriate training course for leaders. Our model took care of the people for four weeks after their conversion, but then they were left on their own for several months, waiting for them to have the sufficient maturity to be trained as leaders.

Obviously, those months of waiting were fatal, representing the loss of rich human potential. For several years I was aware of it and started reading the various training materials that existed. At the end, I concluded that we had to make our own.

I developed our training and started to implement it a year ago. It is a training course that lasts six months. It takes every person from conversion to leadership. After the first year of implementing it, we have had very satisfactory results. We have managed to train over 400 new leaders.

However, because of the year’s desertions, the positive growth has been 256 new leaders. We hadn’t had such good growth for several years. The attendance increase has been around 5,000 new attendees in cells during this same period.

Now, I have no doubt that although the training course requires time and dedication, it is very worthwhile. I’ve discovered a direct correlation between the focus on training and the development of leaders, groups, and attendance.

Comments?

Mario

Translation in Spanish:

El entrenamiento de líderes.

Uno de los grandes vacíos de nuestro modelo por varios años fue que no teníamos un curso de capacitación para líderes apropiado. Nuestro modelo cuidaba de las personas durante cuatro semanas después de su conversión pero luego se les dejaba durante varios meses esperando a que tuviesen la madurez suficiente para capacitarse como líderes.

Obviamente, esos meses de espera eran fatales y representaba la pérdida de un rico potencial humano. Por varios años estuve consciente de ello y comencé a leer los diversos materiales de capacitación que existen. Al final, llegué a la conclusión que debíamos elaborar uno propio.

Lo hice y lo implementamos hace un año. Es un curso de entrenamiento que dura seis meses. Toma todo nuevo cristiano desde su conversión hasta llevarle al liderazgo. Después de este primer año hemos tenido resultados muy satisfactorios. Logramos capacitar a más de 400 nuevos líderes. Sin embargo, por las deserciones del año el crecimiento positivo ha sido de 256 nuevos líderes. Tal ritmo de crecimiento no lo habíamos tenido en varios años. El incremento en asistencia ha sido alrededor de 5,000 nuevos asistentes a células en el año.

Ahora, no tengo ninguna duda que aunque el curso de entrenamiento demanda tiempo y dedicación vale la pena. Mientras más se invierte esfuerzo en la formación de líderes mayores serán los resultados.

by Jeff Tunnell

Joel asked us to share our highlights on the Cell Symposium so I’ll follow up here.  My time there was ENORMOUS and powerful.  Seeing the “heads of state” for the cell movement in one place at one time was awe inspiring.  Hearing from them each-in-turn was a privilege not to be squandered.  Holy Spirit presence was granted in the gathering and I believe the Father was pleased to overseee everything said and done.  Hats off to the servants at Antioch Community Church and Pastor Jimmy Siebert for their exceptional hosting of this historic event.

 A personal sensitivity in my life presently is toward prayer.  At the symposium I heard distinctly that the major weakness in the Western churh (as observed by our friends outside the USA) is that “it does not pray”.  We teach about it, write books about it, preach on the subject , lead Bible studies and tell others to pray, but bottom line, we do not pray much.  Little prayer, little power; much prayer, much power. That saying was coined by our far east brothers as I recall.  Our dependency on self has left us with just that for our assistance.  We are not able to accomplish much when we are depending on ourselves.

Dion Robert’s portrayal of a 15 year old cell leader, along with his cell group, raising someone from the dead was a poignant example of the Kingdom of God coming and the will of God being done, on earth as it is in heaven!  This apostolic man pastors 194,000 people through his cell ministry in Ivory Coast,West Africa.  His practical approach to God and His word led me to note “God-led and Bible-based, that’s all we need!”  As a General in God’s army, Dion called us to die to self and come alive in Christ for the advance of His kingdom.  He said the Lord needs more “dead men” to get the battles won!  Whew!

Bill Beckham’s presentation still loops in my mind and heart.  He compared the various ”dimensions” of the church: Discipleship, Community, Task, Public, Network and Universal.  With these components in hand he moved on to demonstrate the part of the church that accomplishes each: Simple church, House church, Para church, Traditional church, Historical denomination, Catholic church (respectively).  I do hope this will be posted to the Symposium website  for review as it was very full and complete, concluding with a comment that cell church embraces and accomplishes all dimensions when Jesus is at the center! (go to the FAQ tab for downloadable materials)

Another clear-cut message from our international friends is this; if the American church fails in this hour of testing, the  world-wide Christian community will be severly weakened.  They still look to us for leadership on the global scene, but fear that we will wash out in this hour.  May God strengthen our spiritual spinal cord in this nation to rise to the challenge of repentance and sincere pursuit of God’s face instead of our preoccupation with His hand. (Him vs. His blessing)

The streams flowed together, may a mighty river be the result!

Rob Campbell asked me to share once again about my experience here in Texas at the cell symposium. The word “symposium” means “a formal meeting held for the discussion of a particular subject and during which individuals may make presentations.” The symposium, facilitated by Ralph Neighbour, was sponsored by the Golden Gate Baptist Seminary, and took place at Antioch Community Church in Waco, Texas. Immediately following the symposium was the Golden Gate Seminary’s D.Min course on cell church that Ralph Neighbour is in charge of. Ralph asked me to teach two full days (I just finished yesterday). I wondered beforehand how I’d feel with Ralph Neighbour and Bill Beckham in the classroom while I taught. It actually worked out very well. Both of them positively contributed to the teaching and all eleven of us were enriched.

I was amazed to hear how extensively Ralph has visited cell churches around the world. He spoke from such a deep reservoir of experience. I was also impressed by Bill Beckham. Bill always has something uplifting to say and truly has a heart for Christ’s church. I didn’t know that in 1983 Bill Beckham felt God call him to link himself with Ralph Neighbour. Those two have been inseparable ever since. They live near each other and talk daily. Their wives also spend lots of daily time with each other.

Ralph is now 80 years old. He’s passing on his years of experience of cell church ministry to a new generation. No one knows the exact future of the cell church around the world. We do know that Christ is the head of the church, and we’re in good hands with Christ in control. As I ate breakfast with Ralph Neighbour and his first born son this morning (his son is also named Ralph and was part of the D.Min course), my heart filled with joy for the life of a pioneer who has blessed Christ’s body with penetrating truths. Will we continue to carry the torch? Comments?

Joel Comiskey

The success of the cell symposium was astounding. It went well beyond my expectations. Most felt the same way. If you weren’t there, you should be able to see the presentations on the symposium website soon. You can download my presentation about cell transitioning and cell church planting. Many felt the highlight of the event was when Mario Vega humbly preached on God’s anointing, and how he received it. He then asked those who wanted God’s anointing to come forward for prayer. It seemed that everyone went forward!

I sensed that the symposium was a “perfect storm” of God’s blessing over Ralph Neighbour’s life and ministry. Ralph just turned 80 years old and has decades of cell church experience. I call him THE GURU of cell church ministry, and God uniquely equipped him to gather pastors from around the world to this event.

I wish you could have heard Dion Robert, pastor of the Baptist Works and Mission Church (193,000), exhort North Americans to receive from international pastors. He said, “when you came to Africa, we humbly received your message. Why is it that you’re now unwilling to hear from us?” So often we as North Americans dismiss the rapid growth overseas saying, “it just won’t happen here. We’re such a different culture.” During the symposium, God used many voices from all over the world to impart anointed teaching to those present.

The last night, the seven main presenters laid hands on those who came forward, praying for an impartation of anointing. I remember feeling the power of God flow through me as Dion Robert prayed over me in French. I left the event pumped up, expecting new blessing over my ministry.

What about you? Were you at the event? Please share your highlights. . . .

Joel Comiskey

by Mario Vega

The desertion of cell leaders is an unavoidable reality. As in any army at war where dropouts do occur, there are also those who fall-out in the battle of faith.

Desertions affect the multiplication of cells. Cell multiplication occurs only when leaders multiply. But if new leaders have to be continually used to replace those who dropout, much of the multiplying force will be lost.

Some desertions occur for unavoidable reasons. For example, change of address, death, and emigration. But another part of drop-outs occur for a common reason: lack of discipleship. Ideally, every leader should be also a disciple. However, this always the case. A disciple of Christ is someone who follows the example and footsteps of the Master, which includes obeying His Word and sacrificially serving Him.

Cell churches should extend their effort widely to make every believer a disciple. By doing this, the level of desertion will be greatly reduced and only those cases that are strictly unavoidable will remain. Yet, if new leaders are just trained and a cell is handed to them, desertions will continue. The goal is to shape them into disciples who will live consistent, godly lives for Jesus.

Comments?

Mario

En Español

Deserción de líderes.

La deserción de líderes es una realidad inevitable en todo trabajo celular. Al igual que en un ejército en guerra, en el cual se producen deserciones, también en la batalla de la fe se dan deserciones.

Las deserciones afectan la multiplicación de las células. La multiplicación de las células sólo se produce cuando los líderes se multiplican. Pero si continuamente se deben colocar nuevos líderes en las vacantes de los desertores, parte de la fuerza multiplicadora se perderá.

Algunas deserciones se producen por causas inevitables. Por ejemplo, cambio de domicilio, muerte, emigración. Pero, otra parte de las deserciones se producen por una razón común: la falta de discipulado. No es lo mismo capacitar a una persona para que sea líder que hacer discípulo a una persona. Lo ideal sería que todo líder sea al mismo tiempo un discípulo.

Un discípulo de Cristo es alguien que sigue el ejemplo y las pisadas del Maestro. Obedece a su Palabra y le sirve de manera sacrificial. Las iglesias celulares deben extender un esfuerzo amplio por hacer discípulos a todos los creyentes. De esa manera, el nivel de deserción se verá grandemente reducido y solamente quedarán aquellos casos estrictamente inevitables. Si solamente se capacitan nuevos líderes y se les entrega una célula las deserciones continuarán; pero, si se les hace discípulos, su servicio al Señor será mucho más consistente.

Mario

by Jeff Tunnell

Antioch Community Church in Waco, Texas, is hosting the Cell Symposium this week! What a wonderful setting for writing today’s blog.  Participating in this historic event is a privilege and fun at the same time. 300 attendees from all parts of the world, discussing the state of the cell church in God’s economy while developing strategies for advancement of the Kingdom of God in the earth; pinch me, am I awake or dreaming?

The key area of focus woven into every message and conversation here at the Symposium is PRAYER FIRST.  Without this posture toward the work to which God has called us, our efforts are mere struggles to accomplish His task with our strength. Now there’s the wrong tool for the right job!

Personal growth is a requirement for all Christians; leaders embrace this responsibility. Rehearsing the axiom that “I cannot lead where I will not go, and I cannot teach what I do not know” is reasonable.

So, how is your prayer life?  In the conversations here, some quick “averages” of prayer, devotions, intercession and the “work” of prayer (as I see it) would come be: more than one hour daily, sincere prayer with others in the cell every week, a corporate meeting once or twice per month, and responses to urgent prayer gatherings for the church interspersed regularly on a frequent “as needed” basis. (These meetings are often being requested by government officials for intervention in civil disturbances!)

Reading books about prayer, talking about it and preaching/teaching about it, is necessary. However, these are no substitute for actually praying! We must pray. Let us determine to grow personally in PRAYER FIRST.

May I invite you to participate in the stream of conversation here this week?  Increase your fellowship with the Father and His family. Devote yourself to prayer. Colossians 4:2

Allow me to share with you some things God has been doing this past week. Please read the fourth paragraph about my interview with Dion Robert:

Wednesday through Saturday: A “Cell Church Mission Conference” in Monterrey, Mexico from Wednesday to Saturday with Mario Vega, Ben Wong, and Robert Lay at Noe Salinas Church (2000 members in 250 cells). Powerful time talking to the 550 registered attendees about cells and missions. CCMN is trying to establish a mission sending network among cell churches throughout South America. This is our third congress.

Sunday: Preaching at a cell church in Santiago, Mexico on Sunday. This church is part of Rob Campbell’s network, and Rob asked me to minister there. Powerful time. It felt good to be in a smaller church that has grown to 10 cells and is continuing to reach out and multiply.

Monday until now:  Waco, Texas, hanging out in the room of Jim Lassiter, the translator and co-worker of Dion Robert, founder and pastor of the Baptists Works and Mission church (193,000 people). I had the incredible privilege of interviewing Dion Robert as we drove from the Dallas airport to Waco, Texas (2 hours). First, Dion is an incredible man. He insisted on carrying my bags for me. He would not allow me to sit in the back seat, asking me to sit in the front. He has a very humble demeanor, but very strong convictions. Dion sees his church as an army. His goal is to make disciples–not attendees. He learned how to organize this army by reading Numbers 18, where Jethro told Moses to organize the people into groups of 10s, 100s, and 1000s. “But how did your church grow so large?” I asked him. “Decrentralization,” was one of the answers he gave me. His 193,000 member church is organized around smaller local cell churches throughout the world. They are an army and share vision, cell messages, and ministries. Their main message is based on Luke 4:18-19–setting the captives free.

I have pages of notes, but I’ll stop there. The opening banquet for the cell symposium is in a few minutes.

Comments?

Joel

by Mario Vega

Most of the unreached people today are located in Muslim countries or in restricted countries to the Gospel. Under these conditions, it is not possible to perform the traditional role of missionary church planting.

Missionary work must be done slowly, carefully and practically in a clandestine way. This is where the work of cell church shines since the church members are trained and accustomed to delivering the Gospel person to person and from house to house. Joel Comiskey has said: “The same work that a leader performs multiplying a cell in his own country can be done on the mission field.” From that standpoint, every leader is potentially a missionary.

It’s easy for cell chruches to only focus on themselves. Yet, God wants to give them a vision of evangelizing unreached people groups as well. These are the topics that we are discussing right now in Monterrey, Mexico at the III Latin American Consultation of Cell Church and Mission network.

What do you think about these ideas?

Mario

Translation in Spanish:

Las misiones y las iglesias celulares.

Gran parte de los pueblos no alcanzados hoy en día se encuentras ubicados en países musulmanes o muy cerrados al evangelio. En esas condiciones el realizar un trabajo misionero tradicional que consiste en fundar una nueva iglesia no es posible.

El trabajo misionero debe ser hecho de manera lenta, cuidadosa y prácticamente en la clandestinidad. Es allí donde el trabajo de las iglesias celulares resulta importante ya que los miembros de estas iglesias se encuentran entrenados y acostumbrados a llevar el evangelio persona a persona y de casa en casa.

Joel Comiskey ha dicho: ‘El mismo trabajo que un líder realiza multiplicando una célula en su país es el que debe hacer en el campo misionero.’ Desde ese punto de vista, todo líder es un misionero en potencia.

Las iglesias celulares que hasta hoy se han concentrado en el crecimiento y en sí mismas deben levantar la mirada para dirigir sus capacidades adquiridas hacia la evangelización de los pueblos no alcanzados.

Temas como éste son los que se desarrollan en la Tercera Consulta Latinoamérica de la Red de Iglesias Celulares que se desarrolla en Monterrey la presente semana.

¿Qué piensas de éstas ideas?

by Jeff Tunnell

Fellowship:

a sharing of common interests, goals, experiences, or views

companionship or friendly association

a community of interest, activity, feeling, or experience

a company of equals or friends

In Galatians 2:9 the Apostle Paul relates the moment when the other apostles in Jerusalem “gave me and Barnabus the right hand of fellowship” in recognition of his ministry to the Gentiles.  This phrase has since been used regularly in Christian circles to express our agreement with others in common mission.

Ideally the cell group will discover similar fellowship in their common missions.  Often our fellowship first occurs in simple activities together (picnic, bowling, sports, coffee, events, etc). During these times we learn about each other’s personalities, reactions, likes, dislikes, strengths and weaknesses.  Shared experiences can form a necessary foundation on which to build toward the “ideal” of accomplishing missions that promote the gospel.

As leaders we can organize our initial fellowship times with, and on, purpose.  That is, we may construct opportunities that will promote rapid and deep interaction with one another (internal to the cell) in order to establish association for future outreach (external to the cell).

Our mission of spreading the gospel is URGENT.  Our right hand of fellowship will be much stronger when we are in the company of friends, sharing the common goal of accomplishing the “Go” part of Jesus’ great commission.

How much time or number of internal activities together as a group is necessary to build enough community in order to activate the cell toward “mission”?  How long is too long?  What must we guard against to avoid becoming centric and stuck on internal focuses?