The Importance of Mentoring

I have just come back from a series of seminars and speaking engagements that took Ruth and me to Brazil (Belo Horizonte, Maceio), Singapore, Hong Kong (CCMN)and Switzerland (Bern, Frutigen, Zurich).

I was made aware that most cells do not prepare all cell members to both mentor another person and to be mentored by a person in the cell at the same time. My emphasis in each case was to point out that the "Basic Christian Communities" term used by Eddie Leo (Abbalove, Indonesia)solves this problem. Triads within the cells meet for 15-20 minutes following the worship time in the cell, with some attempt made to connect the three levels of maturity mentioned in 1 John 2: "Little Child" being cared for by the "Young Man" being cared for by the "Father."

Harold Weitz in South Africa introduced these "Basic Christian Communities" into his cell system after discussing it with Eddie, and in Brazil they have been incorporated into the Year of Equipping training provided by TOUCH Brazil (Robert Lay).

A serious error takes place when a cell group mimics a traditional "sit and soak" mentality by not activating ministry between all the cell members, leaving the "discipling" to the cell leader. In the community of believers, everyone is a "minister" and everyone should be receiving ministry from others. The "Priesthood of all believers" should be more than a theological teaching: it should literally exist within the body of Christ. After all, every single believer contains an equal amount of righteousness--the righteousness of Christ.

If you are interested in this, investigate the web site of Little Falls in South Africa: http://www.littlefallsnetwork.com/ffmi/.

Have you registered yet for the Cell Symposium (www.cellsymposium.com)? Don't linger! The 300 chairs seating delegates are fast being filled. If you delay you may find you waited too long...