It is an unfortunate side of human nature, that without realizing it we little by little lose clarity in our life. In small iterations, over time, we confuse the simplicity of why we are doing what we do and tend to bog down our efforts with contrived and manufactured goals - to somehow define the success of those efforts.We are leaders in our community, which does not mean we hold positions of power or title alone. In fact it is quite the opposite. It means we are in positions of influence, of servanthood and as we become 3 'C' followers of Christ, we invite others to come along side of us. Through serving, befriending and living life together, we have the opportunity to influence others with an eternal impact.
Don't confuse the mission! Our mission is to help those that attend our cell groups to take next steps with God and journey with them as they become 3 'C' Christ followers.
The mission is not to multiply, it is not to find an 'apprentice,' it is not to get more volunteers for some area of ministry at 2|42 - those are tools and byproducts of the mission - they are not the goal. If we start chasing Christ-likeness in our lives and taking our own 'next steps' serious, then leading our cell groups through influence will come naturally. Growth and multiplication are the natural byproducts of a healthy, vibrant cell group that is on a mission together.
No matter how long you've been a cell leader, take time to define why you are doing it. Find the passion in it, get excited about it (perhaps again) and realize that you are partnering on a God-sized mission of changing lives! Get a hold of the simplicity of the mission and realize it has more to do with you depending on God and just being a friend than anything else.
By: Kevin Davis
2 comments:
So what is it that causes us to lose clarity? I'm the type of guy that has to focus on the cause and not the effect. As for me, it's the "doing" of ministry and not taking time to be still and listen to God. I have recognized that if I’m going to be effective, I need to take the "I" out of the picture. As I read Ezekiel 47:1-12 it occurred to me that as Ezekiel walked further down the river the deeper he went. The visual is the deeper you go, the less you are seen and the more God's grace is visible. I pray that as I go deeper - eventually all people will see is Gods grace!
Also I was noticing in that lesson that as the river gets deeper there is a loss of control. As it becomes deep enough to swim in Ezekiel is more or less just being carried along by the current. I think for me the desire for control and predictable outcomes can make it hard to focus on HPTNSWG because I obviously can't do anything to force anyone to take truly significant steps.
mcgarryrick@hotmail.com
Post a Comment