I gotta be me
I had an enlightening meeting with Matt Evans of Rock Bridge Church yesterday. I was looking for his advice about church planting, how to go about it and what strategy to use. I was struggling with the question of whether to do a cell church approach which focuses on small groups, using them as an entry point rather than the larger service, or to use an attractional approach where you have a big launch service, using that as an entry point and then encourage people to get into small groups.
After talking a while and realizing that I was really struggling with this issue, Matt just kinda kicked back and asked a simple question, “Adam, what are your gifts?” Having taken a test or two on the subject, and just knowing my general quirkiness, this was one question I felt I could answer. I have gifts in teaching, shepherding, leading and connecting to a community.
Then he asked the question that brought it home. He said, “Adam, are you good at small groups?” Honest answer, no. I believe in small groups, I love small groups, I want to use and encourage and participate in small groups. But, at the end of the day my talents, spiritual gifts and passions lead me to stand in front of a large group and teach the Bible. That is my passion.
From this conversation, and other things in my life, I am learning that I have to be me. God created me in His image. He gave me certain talents and abilities at birth. He gave me spiritual gifts for the furthering of His Kingdom at my spiritual re-birth. The passion within me for Him and His Kingdom is a passion that He has birthed and cultivated. And so, I would be foolish, even sinful, to run from who I am. Instead I must understand how God has created me, embrace my role in His Kingdom, and live it out. In doing this I must continually overcome sinful flesh, renew my mind through His word and prayer, and follow Him.
I gotta be me.
August 24th, 2007 at 2:01 pm
That brings to surface once again that the church is a body of believers with different strengths. I will continue to pray for you and your future team, that you would together plant a church that models what you believe to be biblical. That you would be freed up to run hard and strong in your area of strength, and others in theirs. Where we are weak, He is strong, and much of the time He shows up through others. This is exciting.
October 12th, 2007 at 9:50 pm
Having read your blog i should add few points that may help you.
-when God call us he calls us according to his plan not to our own plan
-many ministers or churches are going for cell model without God giving it to them .
-we must understand that those who started cell church said that God gave it to them.some peaple are going for the cell church because its easy to push people that way to force them to evangelise
-Jesus christ did not give the reason why he choose twelve disciples and he did not say that is pattern we must use to win souls.
And i must say that have seen people who were castigated even pushed out of the church because they felt they are not absorbing the cell model.
-for example God put in our heart THE VISION according to the 70 LUKE 10. OUR REACHING THE LOST IS GOING OUT AND PRAYING FOR THE LOST AND AS GOD DEMONSTRATE HIS POWER IN THEIR LIFE BY MIRACLES SIGNS AND WONDERS THEY GIVE THEIR LIFE TO GOD
- The apostles who were withness of our lord Jesus christ worshiped in homes because of persecution they could not have a large gathering unless when the apostles perform miracles and wonders in the name of christ the demonstration of God’s healing, saving and deliver power of jesus or when they were going to be persecuted .
- The cell model errodes the office pastors, preachers unless you have been one before your church changes to cell, because some cell methord says you have to have certain number of cells before you can be given the job of a pastor(then your focus will be aiming for post of pastor and not doing the soul winning from the heart ) and if you have to build your cell from scratch its not east except if you were allocated some members of your church to be your cell member.
*- Not to say too much follow what God has told you and dont use some marketing ploy -multi level marketing methords
I pray that GOD will give you a crystal clear vision of how he wants you to go and do his work.
GOD BLESS.
PASTOR OLU
(AMAZING GRACE CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP)
UK