Someone asked a question in a recent seminar about model cell churches. He wondered if there was a place for model cell churches. Perhaps he perceived that I resisted them.

I answered him by saying that I believed God wanted to raise up flagship cell churches all over the world. I told him,

in fact, that if principles are not fleshed out in real, live churches, they have little value.

I added, however, that the best way to become a model cell church was to learn the common patterns of the growing cell churches around the world and then to apply (adapt) those principles to the church’s own context. I told him that his church, culture, and situation was so unique that only principles (common patterns) would bring life and help his church grow. I told him that God is seeking to raise up unique, creative models all over the world and that perhaps his church would become one of them.

So in reality, I believe that every church has the potential of being a model for others to learn from. And when you get to that point and are sharing with others what God has done, be sure to talk about the life-giving, transferrable principles that will be beneficial to those asking.

Please don’t tell them to adopt your model exactly–remember that part of change theory is reinvention

. Be sure to generously share all that you have and know. Don’t hold back! We’re all on this journey together. We can learn from each other.

Comments?

Joel