Vision

Step 1
Prepare for Vision

What is a vision?
• Vision is not just a destination; it is a journey.
• Vision is not the finish line; it is the whole race.
• Vision is a picture of what God wants to do.
• The seven last words of a dying church: " We never did it that way before".
• We must keep dreaming and keep visioning to keep our churches, ministries and personal lives from perishing.

The art of spiritual surfing:
• See the wave.
• Catch the wave.
• Ride the wave.

The importance of preparation:
• If a vision is a picture of what God wants to do in His church,
• And if the key to vision is joining God in what He wants to do in His church,
• And if God wants to give us His vision,
• Then when we are prepared for vision, God gives it to us.

Five steps of preparation for vision from Nehemiah chapter one.
1. Collect of information.
2. Vision is best birthed out of thorough knowledge.
3. Time to go to school.
4. We need to understand the people we are trying to reach.
5. When you want to learn how to do something… learn from practitioners- not from theoreticians.

Holy discontent with the status quo:
• As long as we are content with the status quo, we will not discover God’s vision.
• Vision often comes in times of desperation.
• God gives us His vision when we are desperate.

Fasting:
Q. What is fasting?
A. Fasting is giving up food or some other activity in order to devote more serious time and attention to prayer
Q. Why fast?
A. Vision is usually birthed out of a serious search for God’s direction.

Prayer:
Q. Having trouble hearing God?
A. Those who talk with God most usually hear God best.
Q. Who find God’s vision?
A. Vision is usually given to those who pray until they get it.


• Vision is usually given to those who patiently wait for it.
• Waiting is a big part of preparing for vision.
• Waiting for God’s will.

Definition of God’s will:
• Doing the right thing.
• In the right way.
• For the right motive.
• At the right time.

Key Truths:
• The difference in a home run and a long foul ball is timing.
• Rushed preparation results in sloppy vision.
• You must go slow if you want to stay long.
• The reason most churches that try to make major transitions fail is that they go too fast.




Step 2
Define the Vision
• When God leads He gives specific leadership.
• God wants to give every one of his churches very specific leadership in the area of vision.

Three steps of defining vision:
1. Discover your purpose.
2. Define your target.
3. Decide your strategy.

1. Discover your purpose:
• Purpose is the first and biggest issue of vision.
• Vision is a lot like a jigsaw puzzle. You work it one piece at a time - and it takes a long time to get all the pieces in place.
• If you cannot state the purpose of your church in a single sentence statement, you have not yet discovered your purpose.

Characteristics of a good purpose statement:
• A good purpose statement is biblical.
• A good purpose statement is practical.
• A good purpose statement is transferable.
• A good purpose statement is short.

2. Define your target:
• The most controversial and misunderstood part of vision is defining the target.
The right questions:
• Who is our immediate community?
• Who is primary target?
• Who has God put in this community that we are best equipped to reach?
The wrong questions:
• Who do we want to reach?
• Who are we already reaching?

Three realities of targeting:
1. When you aim at nothing, you hit nothing every time.
2. When you aim at everything, you hit nothing most of the time.
3. When you try to reach everyone, you reach no one most of the time.

Teammates - not competition:
• We are to view other churches and other ministries as our teammates rather than our competition.

Whose territory?
• Arguing over who is going to reach the unchurched is like two ants arguing over who is going to eat the elephant.

The balance in targeting:
• We should welcome and celebrate anyone who walks in our doors.
• We should also define our primary target. We must know who is in the center of our bull's eye.

Defining your target is a solid biblical principle. Here are four specific ways to define your target:
1. Geographically - first, define your target geographically.
2. Demographically - know as much as possible about who lives in the area.
3. Culturally - do church differently for different cultures.
4. Spiritually - there are at least four spiritual target groups in every community:
• The lost that are unchurched.
• The Christians that are unchurched.
• New Christians.
• Mature Christians.

3. Decide your strategy:
• Evaluate every aspect of the church's ministry regularly.
• Ask the right questions to get the right answers.

Key questions to ask:
• How will our church accomplish our mission?
• How will our church reach our target?
• How do we move from where we are to where we want to go?
• What must change?
• What must not change?
• What is the best order to change?

Key Truth: The more specific the vision, the more dynamic the results.
































Step 3
Plant the Vision
• Vision is a seed.
• A seed must be planted in proper soil.
• Take time to plant the vision with key leaders.
• Share the vision with key leaders before sharing the vision with the entire church.

Secure the approval/support of the power brokers:
• There are power brokers in every church.

Just as Nehemiah did with the power brokers, share:
• The overall plan.
• The timing of the plan.
• The details of the plan.
• The resources of the plan.

Three ways of dealing with power brokers:
1. Get them on board.
2. Fight them.
3. Run them off.
Secure the assistance of those whose help you will need:
• Secure the assistance of the leaders whose territory you are going through.
• Secure the assistance of the providers of the resources you are going to need.

If you go it along you:
• Will cause confusion for the church.
• Will cause people to entrench.
• Will cause leaders to leave the church.
• Will cause great hurt of yourself.
The most effective leaders know the value of a vision team:
• Seek the advice of your vision team.
• Seek feedback for balance, accountability and for fellowship

Principles of a successful vision team:
• Choose the vision team carefully.
• Choose mature believers.
• Choose dreamers rather than detail people.
• Choose trustworthy people.
• Keep the vision teams small.
• Consider staff first,
• The members need to be big picture people.
• Work quietly/strategically, not secretively, behind the scenes.
• Survey the current conditions.
• Share your vision with the vision team.
• Sharing your heart with the vision team.
Key Truths:
• Expose your key leaders to model churches.
• A picture is worth a thousand words. Being exposed and observing a living model is worth a million.
• There are two ways to learn in life: from personal experience and from the experience of others.










Step 4
Share the Vision
• Share your vision with the church leaders first then the church second.
• To avoid alienation, the Senior Pastor must inform the church leaders of what is coming before he/she informs the general church membership.
• The success of any vision hinges on one issue; will the majority of the members of the church get behind it and support it?

Ten ways to share the visions:
1. Preaching
2. Small group vision studies
3. Purpose statements
4. Vision phrases
5. Vision verse
6. Faith stories
7. Conferences
8. Tapes and books
9. One on one
10. Living it with your own life

Key Truths:
• Vision is both caught and taught.
• Vision must be revealed in multiple ways.
• The Senior Pastor cannot expect a church to catch a vision that he/she not living out in his/her own life.





Step 5
Implement the Vision
• Most churches spend far too little time in preparation and move too quickly into making changes.
• Focus on one change at a time.
• Implement changes one at a time.
• Implement changes in a strategic order.
• The right plan of change will probably follow the purpose, target, and strategic order.
• Put key leaders to work in visible places of leadership.
• With key leaders in visible places of leadership, people will see and then join in.
• Enlist people to work in areas that match their interest.
• Put them to work in areas where they have passion.
• Put them to work in areas where they are already at work.
• Most churches try to do too many things; try to be all things to all people.

Key Truths:
• Build on your strengths, not on your weaknesses.
• You must slow yourself when implementing any changes related to vision
• The speed of implementing a vision is determined by the distance you must go, the size of the ship, the age of the ship and the toughness of the leaders.









Step 6
Deal with Opposition
• People can only handle so much change at a time.
• People feel awkward when asked to do something new.
• People think first about what they must give up.
• People feel alone when they are asked to change.
• People are at different levels of readiness for change.
• People tend to revert back to their old behavior the minute the reason to change is removed.

Key Truths:
• The reality of opposition -- Anyone trying to do something for God will face some opposition.
• Expect opposition.
• Deal with opposition.
• Opposition will discourage you.
• Opposition will cause you to doubt your vision.
• If you think your opposition will go away without a fight, think again.
• Opposition will distract you and drain you.
• You will be criticized.
• Don't take criticism personally.
• You cannot please everyone.
• You cannot please anyone all the time.
• There is always a potential storm brewing somewhere out there.
• Don't be afraid of your critics.
• Remember God is with you.
• Remember your purpose.
• Keep on leading.
• A man's greatness can be defined by what it takes to discourage him.
• It is impossible to lead the team up the hill when you are constantly giving your time and attention to those who refuse to join the charge.
• Be willing to let people leave the church. Don't be as concerned about those who leave the church as you should be about those who should leave but refuse to do so.
• One church lost 300 people and gained 2000. They lost 300 that were already committed to Christ and gained 2000; most of who were unchurched!
• Don't let the whiners set the agenda of your church.
• Don't let the complainers distract from the time required in equipping church leaders.

Just as with Nehemiah's opposition, the Primary Vision Carrier should:
• Expect apathy.
• Expect anger.
• Expect ridicule.
• Expect criticism.
• Expect a fight.
• Keep on praying.
• Thrive off of criticism and opposition. Let it will drive you closer to God and you will become better; let it drive you away from God and you will become bitter.
• Keep on working. Don't let opposition get you down. Anyone who gets down tends to slow down - it is a fact of life.
• Keep on watching.












Step 7
Make Course Corrections
• Vision is a journey.
• The only thing more painful than learning from experience is not learn from experience.
• There is always a price for vision.
• There are always those who think the price is too high.

Nehemiah’s complainers:
• The "this is too hard" group.
• The "price is too high" group.
• The "this is not fair " group.

Possible responses to complainers:

1. First, dismiss them as troublemakers who just like to complain.
• A leader’s maturity can be measured by how he/she responds to complainers.
• The angrier a leader gets about a complaint, the more sensitive he/she needs to be in his/her responses.

2. Second, discount complainers as people who do not understand your vision:
• Don't shoot the wounded people just because they are complaining.
• The church is not a museum for perfect saints; it is a hospital for wounded sinners.

3. Third, demonstrate care for them by making a plan to provide for their needs
• It is easy during times of change for people to feel that they are not loved.
• Negotiate peace.
• There is a pivotal moment in times of change where peace must be negotiated between:
• Those who like the changes and those who do not.
• Those who are involved and those feel left out.
• The old guard leaders who are resisting the changes and the new guard leaders who are on board.

It is amazing how many times God raises up new leadership when He wants to do a new thing. Just as with Nehemiah, the primary vision carrier must stay among the people.

Nehemiah:
• Did not take the royal food allowance.
• Shared his table with leaders, visitors, and any commoners who were hungry.
• Treated his people with dignity and respect.
• Cared for his people.
• Worked on the wall beside the people.

Ways primary vision carriers tend to separate us from our people:
• Elevating our position as pastor. People are not looking for a pastor who is a doctor. They are looking for a pastor who is a person.
• Elevating our title of pastor. If a person has to have a title to have to respect, he/she still doesn’t have respect even with the title.
• Dress. If someone is dressing up for church whom is he/she trying to impress? You can put a jackass in a suit and what do you have? A well dressed jackass.
• Language and volume of speech. The only two places in our country today where people get yelled at are in a traffic jam and at church.

Leadership types:
1. Leadership from the high:
• Lord it over them.
• Dictatorship.
2. From within:
• Servant leadership.
• Modeled by Jesus.
3. Martyrs
• Three steps in front of the people.
• People get so frustrated trying to keep up.
• People want to shoot this person in the back.
4. Servant Leader
• One step in front of people.
• Close enough to people to remain as one of them.
• In front of the people enough to still to be the leader.

Key Truths:
• Communities are looking for Christian leaders that are real.
• Continually cast the vision. People need to hear vision until it becomes a part of their soul.
• Continually affirm and appreciate people for the changes they are making in pursuit of fulfilling the church's vision.




















Step 8
Evaluate the Results
Eight key evidences that the vision has caught on:
1. Completion of the vision.
• Don’t stop halfway home!
• You don’t get any credit for runners left on base.

2. Obvious demonstrations of God’s work.
• When a God thing starts happening in a church, even the enemies of the church know it is a God thing. It is that obvious.

3. Continued opposition and criticism.
• The only person with no opposition is the person that is doing nothing worth opposing.
• The most blessed ministries in any area are also the most criticized.

4. Emergence of new leaders.
• What God plans. God resources.
• If you build it… they will come. If you build vision, God will send you the leaders you need to accomplish that vision.
• God often parts the waters only when we step away from the safety of the shore into the river of vision.

5. Major contributions by the people.
• When vision catches on, people will contribute.
• When vision is clearly defined and people are fully on board, giving is not a problem.
• People will give to vision above anything else.
• People will give to need only if it is well express.
• People will give to budget rarely, if at all.

6. Renewed commitment to worship and obedience.

7. People make a covenant with God.
• Vision produces a new commitment.
• Seeker driven churches that not only reach the lost but also disciple new believers.
• Constant pursuit of God and His vision results in balance for the church.

8. Vision attracts people.
• New people will join.

Key Truths:
• Unless we acknowledge God in all we do He will take His hand off of what He has been blessing.
• Give God all the credit and the glory for what has taken place.
• The world has not yet seen what God can do through one man that is fully committed to Him.














The Vision Cycle
Concluding Thoughts:
• Prepare For Vision
• Define the Vision
• Plant the Vision
• Share the Vision
• Implement the Vision
• Deal With Opposition
• Make Course Corrections
• Evaluate the Results

1. The process of vision is cyclical.
2. The process of vision is continual.
3. The process of vision is personal.
4. The process of vision is contagious.
5. The process of vision is universal.
























Cell leader Training
Training for a role in cell leadership necessitates a certain amount of information (that can be acquired through books, tape resources, attending a seminar), and skill development (that can best be learned "on-the-job"). Added to cognitive input and learning new skills is (or should be) a hefty dose of personal reflection. Reflecting on new material that one has been exposed to, and upon experience gained from putting the material into practice, is the essense of real learning. In this regard, much of cell leadership is "caught, not taught".
The materials below represent a starting point for learning how to be an effective Intern, Cell Leader, Zone Pastor, or Area Pastor at Belmont Church. The first two session provide an introduction to cells (there are no notes for these sessions). The remaining thirteen sessions are topical in nature and designed to provide a brief 8-10 minute overview or survey of the material found in the notes.
The notes for Cell Leader Training are formatted as PDF files and require Adobe's Acrobat Reader to view and print if you desire. If you do not have Acrobat Reader already installed on your computer, click on the yellow icon below to download a FREE copy. To listen to the audio portions of the sessions, you will need RealPlayer G2 or higher. You can download the latest version for FREE by clicking on blue icon below.




Cell Leader Training Topics
1. God’s Agenda & Cells

Audio File

2. Introduction to Cell Life

Audio File

3. Vision/Purpose of Cells
Notes
Audio File

4. Foundation/Values/Definition
Notes
Audio File

5. Structure/Meetings/Leaders
Notes
Audio File

6. Leadership/Authority/Orientation
Notes
Audio File

7. Welcome/Building Community
Notes
Audio File

8. Worship/Intercession
Notes
Audio File

9. Worship/Ministry/Spiritual Gifts
Notes
Audio File

10. Word/Small Group Dynamics
Notes
Audio File

11. Works/Outreach/Intercession
Notes
Audio File

12. Delegation/Mentoring
Notes
Audio File

13. Children in Cells
Notes
Audio File

14. Community/Multiplication
Notes
Audio File

15. Administration/Intern Training
Notes
Audio File


Cell Leader Training

Ministry Team Weekend (Belmont Team Training): Saturday, 8:30-12:30, (4 hours)
– Overview of ministry
– Vision for being equipped for ministry
– Ministry opportunities at Belmont

Cell Leader Training: Theory – Saturday, 8:30-12:30, (4 hours)
– Vision for the Church: Putting Cells in Their Place
– Foundation for Cells: The Scriptural basis and values for cells
– Overview of Cells: Belmont’s vision and purpose for cells
– The Structure of Cells: The framework for conducting a cell meeting that facilitates our life together
– The Cost of Cell Leadership: Counting the cost for becoming a Cell Intern

In-Cell Training: Practice – Conducted under Cell Leader supervision, (4-12 hours over 8-12 weeks)
– Week 1: Lead the "Welcome"
– Week 2: Lead the "Worship"
– Week 3: Lead the "Word"
– Week 4: Lead the "Works"
– Week 5: Lead the " Welcome" and the "Word"
– Week 6: Lead the "Worship" and the "Works"
– Week 7: Lead the "Welcome" and the "Works"
– Week 8: Lead the "Worship" and the "Word"
– Weeks 9, 10, 11, & 12: Lead the Four Ws

Cell Resources: Knowledge Base for Skill Development
Suggested Books: (Available in the Resource Center)
– The Community of the King, Howard Snyder
– Ordering Your Private World, Gordon MacDonald
– The Second Reformation, William Beckham
– Where Do We Go From Here, Ralph Neighbor
Cell Training Tapes: (Available in the Resource Center and/or at during Wednesday evening Cell Leader Equipping Classes)
– Aiming at Something and Hitting It: Vision and Purpose
– What’s Really the Bottom Line: Biblical Foundation/ Core Values
– If Cells Aren’t the Goal, Why Have Them?: Structure, Meetings, Leaders
– Making Others Happy By Doing Less: Releasing Others/Pastoring
– Playing Follow the Leader as Service: Leadership Style/Delegation
– Are Authenticity and Fun Compatible?: Creating Community/Welcome
– Beyond Singing Kumbaya: Worship/Corporate Prayer
– Celebrating Freedom Beyond July 4th: Ministry in the Gifts/Deliverance
– Deception Free Christianity: Word/Small Group Dynamics
– Maintaining Balance Between Faith and Works: Works/Evangelism
– Real Nurture Without the Crowd : Community and Multiplication
– Why and How To Include the Whole Family: Children in Cells
– Saving Trees Through Streamlining: Cell Administration

Web Resources: www.belmont.org (Cell Department)

View From the Summit: Monthly Cell Leadership Newsletter
Cell Church Magazine: Quarterly journal for the cell church















































Cell Multiplication Procedure

1. Eight weeks prior to multiplication:
• Talk to your cell about the vision and purpose for multiplication
• Explain the purpose for multiplication:
• Greater intimacy with one another (facilitated by smaller group size);
• Room for expansion (for new believers and interested visitors to church);
• More ministry opportunities (leadership, leading worship, using your gifts)
• Ask your members to begin praying about which cell the Lord would have them be in
• Encourage your members that:
• They are able to hear God’s voice – they are sheep who know the Shepherd’s voice
• God has will for them and will let them know through prayer
• The place God has for them is for their continued growth and destiny
• Multiplication is NOT saying goodbye to friends who go to the other cell
• Start praying for the multiplication with your intern(s)
• Inform your Zone/Area/District Pastors (on cell report or by phone) that you have begun the multiplication process
• Remind your cell each week to be in prayer and continue to cast vision
2. Six weeks prior to multiplication
• Cell Leader and intern reach agreement on proposed composition of each new cell
• Consider geography, children, special mentoring/discipling relationships, spiritual health issues (EGRs), giftedness, and other spiritual needs
3. Four weeks prior to multiplication
• Cell Leader/Intern contact members individually and share the cell they are proposing the member join at multiplication and their rationale.
• Cell Leader/Intern ask the member to share their sense of what cell they should be in.
• Cell Leader/Intern affirm areas where there is agreement.
• Where members have a different opinion of what cell they should be in, the Cell Leader/Intern explains the rationale of their suggestion and asks the member to consider their proposal and get back with them within a week’s time.
• Cell Leader or Intern reminds the member that it is their desire is to seek together the heart of God in this matter and that they will not force a member to join a cell against their will.
• (Special cases or exceptions need to be discussed with the District Pastor).
4. Three weeks prior to multiplication
• Cell meets together for Welcome/Worship, and then separates into two cells for the Word/Works portions of cell.
5. Last meeting prior to multiplication
• Celebrate! Have a party!
• Invite your Zone/Area/District Pastor for prayer and special commissioning
• Set a date for a cell reunion
• Inform the cell department of the leadership/membership of the two cells.


Crisis Preparedness Plan
Cell Leadership Job Descriptions


Join a Cell


• Attend your cell and get to know those in your cell
• Members not presently in a cell should:
• Turn in a Cell Referral Card to the Welcome Desk for placement in a cell near you
• Visit the cell at the invitation of the cell leader





Implement a "Grandma Strategy"


• Store enough food and water for 2-4 weeks
• Secure copies of important documents and financial records showing ownership or debt
• Make provision for having some extra cash on hand in small denominations





Make Your Home "Ark-like"


Make your home "Ark-like" by preparing in the following areas:


• Supplemental source of heating
• Availability of potable water and/or means for filtration
• Alternative mean(s) of food preparation
• Reserve space to sleep visitors





Get to Know Your Neighbors


• Meet your neighbors living to your left and right, and across the street
• Greet them every chance you get and pray for them
• Invite them to a meal or dessert





Call Your Two Buddies


In the event of a snow/ice storm, or tornado, make a brief ‘touch-base call’ to your Cell Leader and another cell member


• See how they are doing
• Find out if they have any special needs
• Inform your Cell Leader of any special needs




















ABCs of A\s Application

One of the purposes of coming to hear a message at church is to hear from the Lord. This does not have to be complicated or over-spiritualized. The goal of hearing God’s word, is application of truth to your life. This ultimately involves your volition; it is a choice you make. The application of truth will impact what you believe, which in turn will impact on your values. Your values, in turn, will impact the way you live, your actions and attitudes. Application of truth, leads to lifechange.
Application of the Word involves clarifying what you do not understand, identifying the insight(s) from the message that blessed you, and taking steps to act on and live out that blessing.
• Clarification
What point from the message was unclear to you? What do you need clarification about, if anything? Clarification, typically, takes the form of a question, such as, "I didn’t understand the point the speaker was making when he said . . ."
• Blessing
What blessed you from the message. If you had to describe the one SPECK of truth that you received from the message, what would it be? Blessing, typically, is that part of the message where you received something from the Lord. A simple lead-in might be, "I was really blessed by . . ." or "I sensed the Lord was saying . . . to me".
• Application
What might you do in this coming week in order to respond, or put into practice, or to apply, the part of the message you were blessed by? Applications should be specific and measurable. An application might be something like, "This next week, I’m going to do






















The Unofficial Gonzo Guide to Cell Leadership
101+ ways to simplify (or complicate) your cell church life
By Jeff & Donna Pack
FORWARD
Let me commend to you The Unofficial Gonzo Guide to Cell Church Leadership, by Jeff and Donna Pack. First, a word about "Gonzo". It is an adjective meaning, overwhelming; outrageous; over the top; very large. After reading the "Gonzo Guide" you will see why!
Second, bear in mind that training cell leaders is similar to learning to drive a car. With driving, there is the technical side and the need to learn about speed limits, braking distances, signage, etcetera. Admittedly this is pretty sterile stuff on its own. Then there is the practical, experiential side; actually grabbing hold of the steering wheel and getting from point A to point B. The best training involves a combination of both!
The mechanics of cell leadership can be studied from a book. Experiential knowledge of leading a cell, however, can only be done "live". A good portion of cell leadership is caught, not taught. Jeff and Donna have done a great job capturing much of the essence of cell leadership in the form of practical tips they learned as cell leaders . . . in the crucible of experience! Read and enjoy Jeff and Donna share tips on cell leadership, in their own words.

PREFACE
"He chose me because He could find no one more worthless" - St. Francis of Assisi
If our high school had a yearbook category for "Most Likely to Lead a Cell Group," I don't think Donna or I would have been nominated. I grew up Catholic and Donna a Baptist. Then we both became Episcopal (i.e. preppie Catholics). To us, "pressing in" meant standing too close together in the wine and cheese line after mass.
Therefore, walking into Belmont Church several years ago proved quite different for us. First of all, it seemed like a weird church: people wore jeans, someone actually spoke to us, and I thought the choir was quite friendly to wave at us (before I figured out the hand-raising thing.) But then came the real weirdness…we were asked to join something called a "cell group."
The concept of this cell group made sense; divide up geographically into small groups who meet weekly in houses and try to build community, serve others and evangelize. This novel idea sounded good to us since we didn't know many people at Belmont (actually, the idea is as old as the resurrection since early Christians met in homes up until Emperor Constantine railed them into the Cathedral model of church around 300 AD.) Cell groups also made sense in that we could easily invite someone to a house as opposed to the more intimidating 1800 member church (and we could explain the choir waving in advance.)
We felt comforted by being in one of the pastor's cell group because we knew he could handle anything. "Anything" just happened to include asking us to lead a cell group. At first, we responded like most folks, "No way, I'd rather go to the moon." We thought cell leadership belonged to those who had been there 10.5 years or those who discerned spirits after dark. But through much prayer, we felt called to lead a cell (standing on Proverbs 3:25 "have no fear of sudden disaster.")
And now many moons and cells later, we've walked through a couple attempted suicides, several broken marriages, a few new marriages, multiple sick children, complicated births (and deaths), alcoholics and drug addicts, and listened to one lady who actually wanted us to pray for her pet skunk.
With these tips, we tried to figure out what we would've liked someone to have told us before we got involved with cells or cell leadership. As a cell leader you'll want your cell to fly in precision formation just like the Blue Angels. But, it's going to be more like trying to get a bunch of crop dusters, B52s, gliders, stealth fighters and hot air balloons to fly right. We hope these tips help you get off the ground just a little bit better.

THE OVERALL CELL VISION
1) Greet also the church that meets at their house. Romans 16:5
2) Why even bother with cells? Whether you call it a cell group or a family group or a home group, bottom line, the concept of Christians meeting at homes to process church life do work. A cell group is all about community, service and evangelism. Since no church staff can address all the needs of the members, it is an ideal model. The reason we go to church is to share our giftings (1 Corinthians 14:26). Since that can't always be done at Sunday services, cell groups insure we use our "talents." Cells are an additional measure of "covenant" in a world prone to lone rangers.
3) Why would anyone want to join a cell? Because it's a great place to share your burdens, your joys and to fellowship. It's a place to keep us accountable and growing and ultimately, a place to have fun. But the real definition of cell groups is the testimonies of the cell members themselves. These represent the true values and benefits (and always be prepared to share what cell means to you):

"When my dad passed away, one phone call brought the members of our cell group to our house at 5:00 a.m. The phone, food, kids and errands were all taken care of that day. All I had to do was grieve and be thankful I had this group."
"I was involved in a car accident with a woman who attended Belmont. Our family hadn't been to church in years. I was invited and finally attended one of these 'cell groups' and found a non-intimidating bunch talking about the successes (and a lot of failures) of living out a Christian life. We also went to the more intimidating church they attended (i.e. 3000 members) but it was the power of God and the smaller cell group that works."
"Attending a big church allowed me to hide in the back. Being in a cell group has forced me to open up and reveal the fact that despite being blessed in the business world with an image to keep, I have many of the same doubts, fears and failures of people I would never end up in the same room with in my circles."
4) Membership into Belmont Church is through the cells. The cost of joining a cell group is free besides committing a night a week to the meeting itself (and probably more time in ministry as you mature with the group.) Members will also have to be honest and very vulnerable ("cell groups are very messy" as one cell pastor puts it.) Cell leadership requires a little more prayer time than usual (…well, maybe a lot more prayer time).
5) People don't join cell groups (or quit going to them) for several reasons. They usually don't understand the benefits of cell life. Or they "think" they don't have the time. Or they sometimes just have good ol' fashion Christian rebellion (with the church structure, the leader or other people in the cell). And many simply have the fear of being exposed. Be sensitive to all these groups as we transition to 100% of our members in cell groups.
6) Remember the vision of Belmont Church is to develop Christians who are "biblically faithful, worshiping servants, living in covenant and equipped for global impact." That’s where we are going, based on our purpose, which reminds us of who we are. Reflect often on our purpose: "Belmont Church is a cell-based community that glorifies Jesus by equipping people for their God-given destiny, impacting both neighborhoods and nations, embracing the call to the poor, and reconciling the arts for the glory of God." Our reason for existence includes ministering to the poor (Isaiah 58), missions and racial reconciliation. Make this part of your group, make this part of your destiny.
7) One way to describe what a cell is and does is the acronym FORWARD:

Four Ws (welcome, worship, word, works)
Outreach
Reproduction
Walking under authority
Always be open to anyone
Relationships of loving accountability that transcend cell meetings
Determine to make it fun
8) And finally, if someone asks should they miss either church or cell, tell them to miss church. #1 they'll hear a snapshot of the sermon at cell (and can get the tape) and #2, cell is the cake and Sunday is only the icing. To believe Sunday is the cake is to miss the oven completely. Our goal is for Belmont to be a bunch of cell groups having church, not a church having cell groups.

THE ACTUAL CELL MEETING
9) Seated in the window was a young man named Eutychus, who was sinking into a deep sleep as Paul talked on and on. Acts 20:9
10) The ultimate cell meeting goes like this:
6:20 p.m. Members start arriving for the 6:30 meeting; a time of fellowship
6:30 p.m. Welcome begins with an icebreaker ("What African animal would you like to be and why?")
6:35 p.m. Worship begins (three songs all flowing annointingly together)
6:55 p.m. Praise reports are given
7:00 p.m. Word portion begins. Main point of the message are reviewed. Every member talks about what the Holy Spirit said to them from the sermon.
7:30 p.m. The prayer journal is checked for progress (and the lost are prayed for.)
7:45 p.m. Works portion begins. The next cell outreach is planned.
8:00 p.m. Meeting is over. Fellowship begins in the kitchen.
8:20 p.m. Members have cleaned the host's kitchen and begin leaving.

11) But many times the actual cell meeting may look more like this:
6:45 p.m. First member arrives for 6:30 meeting.
7:00 p.m. Several other members arrive (the absent ones don't bother to call.)
7:01 p.m. Someone starts talking about their Uncle Otto in Wisconsin who is doing much better with his bronchitis.
7:30 p.m. The Uncle Otto praise report finishes and worship begins.
7:31 p.m. Some of the kids start entering the room trying to find their parents.
7:40 p.m. Worship leader reminds people its o.k. to sing along.
7:45 p.m. Worship ends and cell leader asks people what they thought of the sermon.
7:50 p.m. No one has said anything yet, cell leader tells his version.
8:00 p.m. Cell leader asks for prayer requests (Uncle Otto is added again) and everyone is asked to say a prayer.
8:10 p.m. No one has said anything yet, cell leader closes meeting with prayer.
8:17 p.m. Someone arrives for cell late, apologizes and begins to eat the salsa.
8:50 p.m. Salsa is gone, people leave.
8:51 p.m. Cell leader cleans up his own house, thinks about calling zone pastor to quit as leader, remembers the old days of daydreaming in the back of church before the football games started.
12) To prevent the above, first of all start and stop times are very important. Starting and stopping on time is an art form and you have to keep in practice. If people are consistently late, talk to them individually (or talk to the whole group if the start time or day is not working for everyone).
13) Make sure you're meetings have an ending. If you're involved in deep ministry that looks like it will go way over the ending time, you might move into another room and excuse anyone who has to leave. A corollary to this is: be sensitive about time on school nights with parents who have kids.
14) You might try not putting the food out until after the cell meeting is over (the meeting might actually start and the hungry will remain focused.)
15) Make sure people absolutely, positively call if they can't get to a meeting. If someone consistently misses or skips meetings, talk to them about whether the cell (or the church in general) is not working out for them.
16) Strive to change houses on a monthly basis. It keeps things fresh (and makes your carpet last longer).
17) Make sure you welcome and introduce any new members (and sort of explain cell groups in one sentence or less).
18) Make sure the meeting does not wander (continually review if you are on track or on a tangent). You might be talking about how unforgiveness is the major cause of family breakdown and someone will perk up with, "My legs have been bothering me for a week." Then someone else will say, "Funny, my legs have been achy lately too." You now have to acknowledge the legs hurt, move those prayer requests to the end of the meeting and get back to unforgiveness. Be a good shepherd.
19) Watch also that someone's personal ministry doesn't absorb the group (we had one cell leader into prison ministry who wanted to meet every other week at a detention center while his group thought he was stretching the "cell" concept a little too far.)
20) Minimize distractions such as kids wandering in (set some boundaries). Also minimize dogs, cats and parrots participation in the meetings. Watch answering your phone during meetings (and don't if possible). For every distraction there is at least one equal and opposing distraction; sometimes there’s more.
21) Speaking of distractions, the person who talks too much needs to be monitored (not an easy task but you've got to forcefully advance the kingdom and interrupt them.) You are not the only one who notices he or she is rambling. Watch also that you as the leader are not talking too much either (read this sentence again).
22) The person who talks too little needs to be called upon slowly but surely (not an easy task.) We've noticed that if you sit closer together (like around a kitchen table), people talk more (versus siting in a dark, open living room.)
23) Don't forget to celebrate communion from time to time as well as birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, special occasions, etc. And also don't forget baptisms and baby dedications. Until further notice, make regular celebration part of your cell life!
THE KIDS
24) Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it. Proverbs 22:6
25) The children in your cell are one of the highest priorities. Cells are multigenerational. Perhaps dedicate one meeting a month exclusively to the kids or make it a family night (bowling, pizza, laser tag, progressive dinner, putt golf, potluck dinner, etc.)
26) If you don't have any kids in your cell or they're all grown, give a thanks offering.
27) Make kids part of the meeting as much as possible (do kids songs one night, let them join in the icebreaker, have them come in at the end of the meeting to discuss what they did or made, etc.)
28) Make the kid's ministry a "club" if you have the right mix of kids. These kids are going to grow up remembering "cell night" - make it a cool memory. Call Steve Geyer and ask about Youth Fellowships.
29) Assign one person as the children's minister (preferably not the cell leader). This person is in charge of assigning the schedule and curriculum. Call Myron Goodwin at the church to get other ideas for kids.
30) Find out how best to work the kids program. Always rotate people through this ministry (some may be more gifted with kids than you think). Some groups have one person watch the kids during worship, and trade-off with another during the discussion time. A baby sitter might work (as long as they are working a curriculum). If the kids are all small or babies, it's a little different (sitters or older siblings work fine).
31) Don't forget that big kids (i.e. teenagers) can also be in your cell or part. Call Paul Billington for information on integrating youth in cell. Call Steve Geyer for information on Youth Fellowships. Call Brian Wade for at church about information for college age members.

THE WELCOME
32) A cheerful heart is good medicine. Proverbs 17:21

34) You can start off your meetings with the so-called "ice breaker" to encourage people to open up…such questions as "what was your favorite childhood memory?" or "if you were stuck on a desert and could have only three CDs what would they be?" or "what would bicycles look like if your knees bent the other way?"
35) Laughter has a way of priming the pump for further sharing later during the meeting. Remember the saying that familiarity breeds contempt? Thoughtful icebreakers provide a fun, safe way to learn something new about your cell mates.
36) Include kids in the icebreaker where appropriate – especially the funny ones.
37) After the icebreaker is a good time to hear personal praise reports to see how people in the group are growing (or not growing.)
THE WORSHIP
38) I sing for joy at the works of your hands. Psalm 92:4
39) Many cell leaders will attest the better the worship, the better the rest of the meeting. Make your music flow (the standard Belmont thang is three songs, one fast, two slow - all connected, no stops). Many times the anointing is lost when we sing one, ask "any requests", sing another then ask "coffee anyone?", sing another, etc.
40) Lyrics should be handed out in some form or fashion. If the church supplied system doesn't work, encourage your worship leader to create their own. One cell we know posts the song numbers they're singing on the wall (we thought they were into numerology.) You can get the latest music books from your zone pastor or by contacting Dave Durham.
41) Try to keep the worship leader singing "the Best of Belmont" (since we're in Nashville, many worship leaders are songwriters too and you may have to limit the number of their originals unless they are truly anointed.) And Amazing Grace sung to the Eagles "Peaceful Easy Feeling" may not always work.
42) The worship leader may want to add instrumental music during ending prayer time if at all possible to increase the anointing.
43) If there is no worship leader, there is acappella or there are tapes or CDs. You can put two or three songs on a tape before hand and pass out some lyrics. Some people prefer the tape method and use the first three songs of a "live" worship album to enter into praise (turning the music up loud so they can't hear themselves singing). Once again, try to match the "best of Belmont" songs if possible (usually Hosanna, Integrity or Vineyard music). There are cell worship tapes available from Dave Durham.
44) Some nights you may spend the whole cell meeting in worship. Some nights you may not want to do music at all. Some nights you may want to put worship at the end of the meeting. Go with the flow. Mix things up a bit.

THE WORD
45) Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15
46) Keep the main thing, the main thing. Applying the SPECK of truth each member got from the sermon (if they were there), or from what God spoke to them during the week (if they missed the sermon). Surf over to the ABCs of the Word, and SPECK of Truth resources on the web page.)
47) Don't forget to use the WORD in your discussion of the Word. Not every leader (or cell member) is going to be able to pull scripture out by memory - look it up. Don't get in the habit of relying on the first chapter of Second Opinions.
48) It is very important to make sure your group stays in their Bibles. It should be a "guide" to their life (not just a "reference"). Remember it's the BIBLE (Basic Instruction Before Leaving Earth). The Daily (chronological) Bible is an excellent method of keeping the cell in synch. Henrietta Mears classic "What the Bible is about" is a fantastic help. And then there's always the "The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Bible" (actually it's pretty good).
49) Remember, cells should also not become classes of the latest program or book (i.e. Promise Keepers, Experiencing God, Raising Kids Gods Way, Theotherapy, etc.) These are all wonderful movements and offer great tools that can be used within your cell. They shouldn’t become the purpose of the meeting.

THE WORKS
50) For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10
51) Identify the person in cell with the greatest heart for evangelism and enlist his or her help in planning cell outreaches. Aim for at least one a quarter. Remember, if you aim at nothing, you will hit it every time.
52) Many can be fearful of leaving the ‘burbs’ to reach out to the poor. Consider taking part in an Isaiah 58 outreach as a way to "test the water". Above all, be creative in figuring out practical things you can do to show Christ’s love in your neighborhood.
53) A great place to begin is with the Light House Strategy for praying for your immediate neighbors. Prayer walking your neighborhoods is another great approach. Contact Dave Buehring for other evangelism ideas.

PRAYER AND INTERCESSION
54) Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
55) Encourage spiritual gifts and wait on the Holy Spirit. Pray this in (before cell, during cell, after cell) and make time for it. You may try something as simple as "let's just wait on the Lord and see what happens."
56) A key to good cell life is to create an atmosphere where people feel they can share their prayer needs (i.e. to get over the standard Christian "I'm fine" syndrome). Create a safe atmosphere by being "prayed up" before every cell meeting. This is the most vital ingredient to running a cell. The meetings always go better with this in mind (and heart). Dividing up into men's and women's groups in different parts of the house is a very, very powerful way to facilitate prayer and ministry to one another.
57) Prayer lists work (especially if you don't lose them). Definitely keep a list of people you're praying into the cell. Separate people you're praying into the cell vs. other requests you're praying for (i.e. Uncle Otto in Wisconsin).
58) Encourage all to pray out loud (a task for some, but be very sensitive). If someone has a prayer request it's good to have him or her actually pray for that request.
59) Many cells use a "hot seat" where they put a chair in the middle of the group and a person sits in this while the others pray. If the seat fits, wear it out. Some nights you may spend the whole cell meeting in prayer. Go with the flow.

GROWTH BETWEEN THE MEETINGS
60) Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. 1 Peter 4:10
61) Between the meetings, connectivity is either easy or hard. We've had cells where people never communicated outside the meetings. We've had groups where the women connected but never the men. And we've had groups where everyone connected well. This one requires much prayer and effort on every cell member to make it work. Cells are all about building relationships, relationships, relationships so call, call, call. O.K, O.K., O.K.? (and you don't have to do all the calling.)
62) Try assigning prayer partners through the week. This simple concept is to get the people talking and praying with each other. You can also encourage the men or women to get together between cells (lunches work great for busy schedules.) A note here….men should be ministering to men and women to women to keep us all out of compromising positions.
63) Be mindful of individual member's needs. For parents, perhaps have members offer to watch their children to give them a "night out". Be sensitive to the needs of singles, older couples, divorcees, widows, single parents, etc. Watch the flock. If someone is sick, prepare meals (if their kids are sick, do something to help.) If someone has a baby (or surgery), visit the hospital and definitely prepare meals. If there is a death in the family, help out as much as possible. The test of every cell is how it reacts to a crisis.
64) Counseling. The following areas deal with some of the more common areas you'll run across that require counseling. While you probably won't be an expert in these areas you should be able to approach them with confidence, pray about them and get assistance where needed (i.e. zone/district pastors and church staff).
65) Discipleship. This complex word for helping people grow has to be a priority. All cell leaders are still growing themselves, but you have to map out where everyone in the cell is as well (and where they need to be). Everyone has their testimony down (1 Peter 3:15) and a Bible study path (i.e. Daily Chronological Bible, Bible in a Year, etc.) Encourage every member to take part of the Belmont Team Training classes (Wednesday nights at church) or through audio tape. Walk with people in specific problem areas or growth needs. Call Dave Buehring at Belmont for other ideas.
66) New Christians. With brand new Christians (including prodigals) you have to take the extra effort to make sure they have a path (and partner) to growth. This can be through using the Journey Guide and Arrival Kit booklets (see your zone pastor). Encourage them to jump into the Maturing Track material right away. Or it can be a creative weekly approach to make sure they are moving forward. They need a partner (which doesn't always have to be the cell leader). Do not underestimate this area and zone pastors can offer assistance and materials.
67) The D word. The problem with "deliverance" is we've either confused it with simple disobedience or made it out to be this big Disney production complete with flying bednobs and broomsticks. Deliverance is the process of praying with a person who has let sin in and it becomes overwhelming (example: drug, sex and alcohol addicts). The mind is the battlefield of Satan. If you feel your dealing in this area with a cell member, consult your zone, area, and district pastors, especially district pastor Doug Mann.
68) Financial needs. Poof!…you are now a financial counselor. Often people will get into trouble with finances and look to you (or "the church") to help solve them. The church can provide assistance in some extreme cases (and sometimes the cell group itself can help out). The simple rule of budgeting is: more must come in than goes out. All district pastors can counsel in this capacity, especially Jim Davis.
69) Marriage counseling. Marriages are a key area of attack in our society (and church) so protect yours and your cell members through prayer. Many marriage problems have unforgiveness at the root and that's a key area to pray through. However, the church is gifted with many good counselors in marriage and use them religiously (call your zone/area/district pastor. Charlie Newman, the staff counseling pastor is also available.

GROWING AS A LEADER
70) Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
71) A great description of a cell leader of our church is the acronym GO as in GO FORWARD (see #7).

Guide the cell by example (more is caught than is taught)
Orchestrate the cell through the gifts of its members
72) Never, never, never do all the work. Never be the cell leader, worship leader, kid leader, chief caller between the cells, food provider, etc. It is a "group" thang. Remember, if you are GOOD, you get to do it all. But, if you are REAL GOOD, you can get others to join in and help share the load. Always strive to be real good!
73) The primary task of a cell leader is to "fan into flame" the gifts of the members of the cell (so you don't have to do any work). Be able to "tell the story" of each member of your cell group (this one is a pastor, this one is Miss Mercy, this one is the teacher, etc.) "Your destiny is fulfilled only as you fulfill the destinies of others." (Pastor Stephen Mansfield)
74) Regularly ask the question to your members "what do you want out of this group." This helps consistently establish your vision, problems, and improvement areas. Every member will only get out of a cell what they put in to it (ask not what your cell can do for you, ask what you can do for your cell). What cell members want most out of a leader is someone who cares about them, someone they feel safe around, and someone who can help them grow and fulfill their reasons for joining the group.
75) A cell leader is not the person with all the answers. A cell leader is the person who encourages people to discover new insights and build new relationships (and says, "next meeting is Monday, 6:30 at Bill's house.") Don't worry you'll do just fine….God's not calling the qualified these days, he's qualifying the called.
76) Leaders gain honest cooperation (1 Peter 5:2-3), they rapidly handle conflict with tact (Romans 14:19), and Christian leaders encourage forgiveness early and often (Colossians 3:13). Remember, ministry leads to maturity.
77) "A true and safe leader is likely to be one who has no desire to lead, but it forced into a position by the inward pressure of the Holy Spirit and the press of circumstances." A.W. Tozer, Chicago pastor.

MORE ON EVANGELISM - THE FINAL FRONTIER
78) Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. 1 Peter 3:15
79) Many of the folks God will use us to witness to, we already know (we're either too embarrassed to radically approach them or think they're fruitcakes). If you ask for a show of hands at any church as to how people were saved, a few hands might go up when you ask about tracts, television ministry or Billy Graham crusades. But 80% or higher will be through the friends and family program. Pray for people to have immediate needs and worries that we as cell members can minister too, especially in your own backyard.
80) Consistently ask how did everyone do evangelizing at work, home or at Kroger last week. This keeps people in practice. Encourage the failure stories most of all.
81) The main reason people don't become Christians is that #1 no one ever asks them or #2 somebody asked them. We deal with a lot of people who've…

Been there: Never heard the Gospel clearly or convincingly explained or had the gospel insensitively explained to them.

Seen that: Question the lifestyles of TV evangelists and/or question the inconsistent lifestyles of Christians.

Done that: People with genuine intellectual obstacles to faith or people who already have gods (New Age, Islam, money, career, etc.)
82) Let the Holy Spirit do the work when it comes to evangelizing (1 Corinthians 2:4-5 and John 3:8) and have your group memorize Romans 10:9 (That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord", and believe in your heart that God raised him form the dead you will be saved.) But remember - When the fruit is ripe, it will fall off the tree. Too many times we try to pull people into the kingdom who are not quite ripe (with branches bent over and us twisting to get them in). If the fruit comes off too early, it's usually sour anyway. Our job is to scan the orchard daily.
83) Monthly outreach or service projects are key evangelism tools a cell has to work with. They are limited only by the imagination of the cell. In fact, your cell should sit down and try to list 25 projects and select the top idea. Here are 25 examples: volunteer for Room-in-the-Inn, have a free car wash, go caroling, go to your neighborhood nursing home, have a joint garage sale, walk around a cell members neighborhood asking for where the group can fix something, walk around the same neighborhood taking prayer requests (o.k. that's only 7 but you get the picture.)
84) Two of the most often missed opportunities in evangelism are cell member's own neighborhoods and cell member's work places. We tend to have this warped sense that the unsaved will ride up in a chariot out of nowhere and say, "Look here is water, why shouldn't I be baptized?" Claim your neighborhoods, claim your workplaces. Use the Lighthouses of Prayer strategy to get your members praying for their neighbors and neighborhoods.
85) "Success is not leading someone to Christ. Success is acting out your Christian life, sharing the Gospel, and trusting God for the results." Billy Fay from "How to share your faith without an argument." Go as a cell to the Evangelism Workshop to cover the basics of sharing your faith in a non-threatening/non-offensive way.

NOW IS THE TIME FOR ALL GOOD CELLS TO MULTIPLY
86) There is a time for everything… Ecclesiastes 3:1
87) Just when you thought the group was going good, it has to multiply. This can take two years, one year or six months depending on your situation. Keep reminding people, "someday we will multiply." You can even set a target date. You're usually close to 12-18 adults when it's time (or when your zone pastor starts hassling you). Actually, multiplication is a great idea. Once you have more then about 18 adults in cell, not everyone gets a chance to share (Read: Less pastoring actually happens).
88) Who goes with which group is usually evident to the leaders, but be careful about letting people chose favorites (you'll get a lopsided group). Pray through this with your group (one time we had to tell our best friends to go to another cell because they would never grow further if there wasn't some separation).
89) Interns. Our goal is every member is a minister. Some of the ministers in your group will make good leaders. Others will gravitate toward other Romans 12:7 giftings (helps, music, teaching kids, outreach projects, etc.) Sometimes you just have to try out people in leadership (when you're out of town or tied up is a good time.) Other times it's very clear who has a leadership gift. The key is to ask (we mistakenly thought one couple wasn't interested until a year into the group we finally asked and they said, "sure, we were just waiting on you to ask!")
90) A good reminder for people is to constantly say to the whole group, "someday when you guys are cell leaders…."
91) The zone/area pastors and district pastors will try to be with the groups as they multiply (to bless the new leaders, and make for a smooth transition.)
92) Fresh starts are still an option for anyone in your cell. This is the concept of sending out a leader to start a group from scratch in a certain area or ministry. Feel free to envision everyone in your cell as a potential intern who can facilitate a cell meeting, and multiply their life and ministry into others.

AND THE REST OF THE STORY
93) Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving but because you are willing, as God wants you to be, not greedy for money, but eager to serve, not lording it over, those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 1 Peter 5:2
94) Every cell has it's own personality and every cell goes through different seasons (funny how they're just like us!) Learn to appreciate the makeup of your cell's personality. But remember cells go through seasons….you may have a fantastic season of reaching out to others then you go through a season where everyone has personal problems and then a season where people stop showing up consistently. Learn to recognize the seasons and adjust to them. Regardless of the season, the defining scripture of a cell group is to "praise the God of all comfort who comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God" (say that three times fast). 2 Corinthians 1:4
95) As a cell leader you get a mailbox (over there by the bathrooms near the old chapel). Next to these mailboxes are the various forms and paperwork we use. Note there are "membership forms" here with what we believe as a church and a sheet to fill-out to get into the database as a member (Debbie Esterline can provide you with details as to who the church recognizes as in your cell and a Belmont member at any time, 256-2123)
96) Cell reports. The zone and district pastors need cell reports to try and manage their multiple demands. They promise to read them (test them by putting something like "Barney Ruble came to our meeting last night.") The report should include who came, who didn't, new members and a quick summary of the meeting and prayer requests. Put the form in Debbie Esterline's mailbox or email in a cell report (debbiee@belmontfamily.org), or fax it to the church. If you get behind, just start with this week (then commit to not get behind again and make a burnt offering).
97) Attend the monthly cell summit meetings (we haven't slept through one yet). They are on the first Wednesday night of each month, 6:30 in the Worship Center. Interns should also attend. Also, make a habit of calling the Cell Hotline (244-8739, ext. 333) before each cell meeting.
98) Area pastors, zone pastors and district pastors are there to help you handle problems and help you grow. Zone pastors watch over several cell groups and area pastors watch over several zone pastors. District Pastors work at the church and watch over the area pastors. Work with them closely (and don't forget to invite them to all parties involving food.) They will try to visit your cell as much as feasible and contact you weekly. They will also help you try to assimilate people into your cells (simply make the calls to interested people, try to contact them 2 or 3 times, then go with the growth and bless the rest).
A good description of an area and zone pastor in our church is the acronym GROWTH:

Guard the life of each cell (or zone) leader
Read the needs of each cell and help the team with the leader to meet them
Orchestrate outreach and reproduction
Weekly check in with each cell (or zone) leader
Transmit the challenges & successes of the cells & their leaders to the district
Hold each cell and its leaders before the Lord constantly
99) A good description of a district pastor is the acronym VISION:

Verify the health, growth and outreach of each cell and area under you
Intercede constantly for each cell and leader
Strategically organize cells and zone for maximum geographic and cultural impact
Integrate the ministries of the church into cell life
Openly live out the values of cell life and mentor leaders who will do likewise
Nurture the church into a fully biblical and radical Christ-likeness.
100) As a cell leader you may be asked to pray at the end of the services (down front). If you've never done this, it's easy. Just pray while you're waiting for someone to come up to you and then ask him or her "what can we pray for?" You'll do fine as long as Uncle Otto doesn't show up with a leg problem.
101) (TBA - Chances are we missed something.)





















100 ICEBREAKERS
• What was the happiest moment of your life?
• Tell us about your first date.
• Tell us about your best earthly friend.
• What was the greatest compliment I’ve ever received?
• What room in your house do you like best?
• What one thing do you want to accomplish next week?
• Where did you feel warmest and safest as a child?
• If you had a time machine that would work only once, what point in the future or in history would you visit?
• When did you last do something for the first time?
• Which of the following restrictions could you best tolerate: Leaving the country permanently or never leaving the state in which you now live?
• If you could take a pill that would enable you to live until you reach 1000 years, would you do it? Why?
• When you do something stupid, how much does it bother you to have other people notice it and laugh?
• Would you like to know the exact date of your death?
• If you could change two things about the way that you were raised, what would they be? If you came from a divorced family, how did it affect you?
• Who is your favorite relative? Why?
• What is your favorite memory of time spent with your father? Your mother?
• Who did God use to bring you to the point where you knew you needed Jesus?
• If you could change places with a Bible character, whom would it be and why?
• What is your favorite book of the Bible? Why?
• Where would you go, if you could go anywhere?
• What is your favorite movie or TV show?
• Who has had the most influence on your life last week?
• What was the best thing that happened to you last week?
• Recall a time when you failed. What happened?
• Name someone you admire who had to overcome great difficulties to get where they are now.
• What do you value most in a human relationship? In your relationship with Christ? Your parents?
• How do you react when you aren't thanked for going out of your way for someone?
• What is your favorite time of day?
• Singles: Describe the girl/boy that you want to marry.
• Couples: What caused you to marry your spouse?
• My greatest disappointment was…
• The gift I will never forget (apart from my conversion)…
• What was the most important event in your life last week?
• If you could choose to go anywhere in the world for three days, where would you choose to go and why?
• If you could choose to meet anyone who ever lived in America, who would you choose to meet and why?
• If you could choose to live anywhere in the world, where would you live and why?
• What gift (spiritual, physical, emotional, etc.) do you believe you are bringing to this meeting? (What are you bringing that may build-up another person [the church] in any way?)
• Describe a significant experience in you life that changed your value system completely.
• What are some of your goals for the year ahead?
• Who are your parents, what did they do, and what would you like to change about them?
• If you could choose your career again, what would you do?
• What is your sibling position in your family (first, second, etc.). What would you change about this position and why?
• If you became the leader of any country in the world, which would it be and why?
• Share the best and worst experience of your week.
• If you could take a free two-week trip to any place in the world, where would it be and why?
• What living person would you like to talk to and why?
• Give everyone a piece of paper and ask him or her to draw a picture of their jobs or whatever they do on a daily basis. Explain your sketches.
• Why are you glad to be in a cell group tonight?
• Briefly describe some strong and weak points in your relationship with your eldest child or parents-in-law or spouse or any significant relationship.
• Inform everyone that they have just been given $1,000,000.00. Let each share how they would use their newly gained fortune.
• Do you have a nickname and if so, what is it?
• Is there another era in time that you would have liked to live in? If so, why?
• Has the cell group been a help to you? Spend time talking about it and thanking each other.
• What are 3 things you appreciate about your family and 3 ways in which you find them difficult at times.
• What is the best thing that has ever happened in my family? Cell group? The world?
• What is one thing I would really like to see happen in my family?
• Who is your best friend at the moment?
• What is an answered prayer you have had recently?
• What is your occupation? Do you enjoy it?
• Who has been the greatest influence on your Christian life and why?
• What book, video, or movie have you seen that you would recommend to others? Why would you recommend it?
• What do you think delights God above everything else in your life?
• What encouraging thing was said to you last week?
• How have you encourage else this week?
• What made you decide to attend this church?
• What made you decide to live in Nashville?
• What do you still want to accomplish with your life?
• What is your most embarrassing experience?
• For what are you thankful?
• What is your most memorable event in life and why?
• Share the most meaningful scripture to you and why?
• How did you and your partner meet? What made you start going out together? OR What kind of person would you like to have as your partner?
• How would your life be different if you knew Jesus was returning in June, 2000?
• Who is the most interesting person you have met?
• What is your favorite holiday spot and why?
• What is a spiritual experience you have had recently?
• What annoys you about your spouse?
• Have you ever experienced healing in your body? If so, share what happened.
• How do you relax?
• What was your first nickname?
• What was the first pet you remember?
• What is your favorite smell?
• What is your favorite type of music/song, etc.?
• What has happened to you this week that you would like to share with the rest of the group?
• The last time I got really angry was…
• If you could not fail, what would you like to do?
• What would you change in your life if you could start over?
• What do you want written on your tombstone?
• What do you want said at your funeral?
• What would you do if you saw someone being robbed?
• What would you do if you were to see a person drowning?
• One thing which has stressed me out this week …
• One thing which really makes me feel guilty is…
• What is one thing you do not understand about the opposite sex is?
• What would you do over from the past week?
• Describe another small group that you were a member of outside of your church. Tell us why you thought the group worked (or didn't work). (You aren't limited to religious groups; most of us are involved in small groups at work.)
• What is the most memorable Bible you have received (graduation, Baptism, wedding, etc.) and why?
• What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think about God?
• What is one question you would like to ask God?
• Describe your ideal driveway.
• Truth and Not. Have everyone write down three true things about themselves. Turn them all in to one person. (Don't put your name on your list.) Guess which person goes with which description.
Mission Statement:

The goal of our youth ministry is to
help students FIND God daily,
to INVOLVE them with other Christians,
to REACH them,
to have them offer themselves in SERVICE to Christ,
and to TEACH them.


The good news is this: you can begin serving almost immediately--you don't have to pass some kind of test! Talk to any of the ministry team leaders for more information on how you can begin serving in a ministry today! We have ministry teams for you to get involved with, if you don't find one that fits your SHAPE, we'll create a new one just for you!

Spiritual Gifts How has God gifted me?
Heart What do I love?
Abilities What am I good at?
Personality How am I unique?
Experience Where have I been?

**If you have a new e-mail address, please go to the e-mail update page to update your address.**
Programming Information:
**"The Point" starts at 6:00 PM and includes all youth 5th-12th Grade. We will meet in the Sanctuary and will have worship, led by Jon, and devotion, led by Tim.
Youth Group Meetings have started on Wednesday nights at 7:00. Come on out and bring your friends!!
The practice schedules for all Bell Choirs are listed on the NEW Bell Choir Page. Please visit this site and find out when you are practicing or can see any of the Bell Choirs performing.
First Christian Adult Leaders - Adults that sponsor and lead the youth group.

PURPOSE STATEMENT
The goal of our youth ministry is to help
students FIND God daily,
to INVOLVE them with other Christians,
to REACH them, to have them offer themselves
in SERVICE to Christ, and to TEACH them.




One of our goals is to help committed students develop HABITS necessary for continual spiritual growth. We’ve identified these habits and created some tools to help you develop these habits. You can pick up any of these tools for FREE at the Church from the information table.

Hang time with God Quiet Time Journal
Accountability with another believer SAG 5 (student accountability group)
Bible memorization Hidden Treasures
Involvement with the church body Going to “big” church
Tithing commitment Bank of Blessings
Study the Bible RootWorks

Discipleship Tools
Quiet Time Journal
The quiet time journal is really nothing more than a short space to write, a little design, and a few questions. We’ve put all of this on a half-sheet piece of paper, so your don’t need to fill up an entire page every time they write in your journal. We only put thirty pages in each journal so you can replace his journal several times throughout the year. We also have one that is on full pages for more room to wirte.
S.A.G. Five
S.A.G. stands for Student Accountability Group and it consists of one student and a friend from the same school. “Five” stands for the amount of minutes we want students to pray with each other during the week. We believe our committed students should be in a accountable relationship with another Christian from their school.
Hidden Treasures
This is our verse memorization program that help you hide God’s Word in their heart. A committed Christian needs to rely on God’s Word. We’ve put together a packet of cards to help them memorize scripture.
Bank of Blessings
Although it may be surprising, if students can get excited about giving their money while they’re young, we believe their young life will be blessed. While the idea of getting excited about giving may seem strange, students come to find that many Christians view giving money to the Lord as their privilege. Through the Bank of Blessings tool, students learn what the Bible teaches about giving and are challenged to experience giving firsthand.
RootWorks
RootWorks is the name for our individual Bible study books. We have put together some studies that will take students verse by verse through various New Testament books. One of the disciplines of a committed Christian is the ability to study on their own--RootWorks will help them do this.


Values of F.C.C. youth ministry

Relational approach
Encouragement
Laughter & celebration
Acceptance
Transparency
Involvement of students)
Outreach oriented
Numerical growth
Spiritual growth
Home-like feeling
Intimacy
Professionalism
Strategic follow-up