The Cell Symposium in June brought together seven key men who all are participants in global movements. Their panel discussions are historic! Here is one sample for you to view. If you want to browse the whole collection, click on the Title of this article and go to my video download page. In a few weeks we will transpose the site http://www.cellsymposium.com/ to a new version and all these video will stream there. They are not sorted out for the collection you will see: that must be done for their permanent Symposium home.
I spoke into the situation of the third generation of the cell movement with an impassioned plea for us to stop "throwing Christ under the bus" and allowing man-made cells to operate. You can get right to it by selecting "Ralph Neighbour." Another bombshell is to view "Jim Lassiter."
If you want ipod downloads, they are in a separate folder in my collection. Don't try to play the ipod files: they do not stream. Just download them to your iTunes. A trick Apple taught me: when you have them in iTunes and the image of your iPod or iPhone is showing to the left, click and drag the file into "Movies." I think it's the only way to get them into your handheld.
I really need to get feedback from you! Post it here.
Ralph,
ReplyDeleteOne of the issues that came up (Bill Wong) at the symposium related to the "Large Group Wing" of the Cell Church model. Many of the cell church materials are targeted toward converting a program based church to cell based. I can see how these churches would maintain vestiges of their former structures - Sr. Pastors, Large facilities, large group event driven 'stuff'. However, those of us who are starting from scratch are wondering if we really need all that stuff. I liked it when Bill Wong said that the 'large group wing' is really just a network/support team for the Basic Christian Communities (ie churches). Where do you draw the line? If we have equipping and multiplication happening, and we have some large group events in rented facilities on a periodic or as needed basis, do we really need to build a facility that holds 500 - 10000 people? I also have never really seen the Sr. Pastor role identified in clearly in scripture. Paul wasn't a Sr Pastor. And was Timothy anything more that a guy who had teaching gifts that was encouraged to pass on the truth? I am open to either point of view, but the practical question is should I expect to be a Sr. Pastor, or just a faceless visionary leader who uses my equipping gifts as God leads? Is there a critical authority function that must exist for the health of the church, or is this just a 'form' of leadership that can be discarded in favor of Christ as the Head expressed in the life of BCCs? where do you draw the line of authority? Do you hang on to the 'mantle' to 200,000 like Dion Robert? Or do you serve a dozen BCCs (144 people) and mentor others to do the same?
Shiff
Paul,
ReplyDeleteBuildings and general gatherings of the BCC's ought to have a specific purpose and not just a "habit." But there seems to be a clear biblical pattern of the two winged church. Rented space is a pain, having to set up and tear down, and there is a value in having a physical presence in a community (see "A Place for You" by Paul Tournier). But no, church buildings are often a boat anchor that weighs down the BCC's.
I clearly do NOT see a "Senior Pastor" in the N.T. That is why the term "Lead Pastor" is in vogue these days. I feel the term is OK to use. I also feel that having a plurality of "Elders" where no one is "Lead" is the kiss of death! I have seen eight leaderless, elder-led churches dissolve after the foot dragging power hungry elder stifled the advance of the work.
Above all I am most impressed by the words of Paul in 2 Corinthians 10:12-16:
12 Not that we venture to class or compare ourselves with some of those who commend themselves. But when they measure themselves by one another, and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding.
13 But we will not boast beyond limit, but will keep to the limits God has apportioned us, to reach even to you.
14 For we are not overextending ourselves, as though we did not reach you; we were the first to come all the way to you with the gospel of Christ.
15 We do not boast beyond limit, in other men's labors; but our hope is that as your faith increases, our field among you may be greatly enlarged,
16 so that we may preach the gospel in lands beyond you, without boasting of work already done in another's field.
P.S. it was Ben Wong, not Bill Wong...