I’ve noticed that some cell leaders always have an excuse. “No one in my neighborhood is open to the gospel.” “This cell ministry is hard; I just don’t have the time.”
Ten spies came back with a report based on the reality of the situation. “There are giants in the land! There is no way we can win this war.” Joshua and Caleb saw two realities: the giants and the God who made them. They came back excited for the chance to see God’s mighty power at work. “Let’s go for it. Right now. This land is full of milk and honey and we serve a big God. He’s easily able to take us into the land and bring us the victory. Let’s go.”
Do you see obstacle or opportunity? Herb Miller gives this advice to leaders, “Never sidestep challenges. Grab every charging bull by the horns and slap him twice across the face. Remind him that God is in charge of you…”
A cell leader will face moments of discouragement, loneliness, and pain. Conflicts often surface in a cell group due to personality differences, constant talkers, overly “spiritual ones,” late arrivers, poor communication, cultural differences, etc. A cell leader might even face direct criticism from members of the group. A common assumption that many cell leaders make is to consider all conflict as “bad” and to be avoided if possible. Yet, if conflict can lead to deeper consideration of the issues at hand, and if it challenges members to look at their own behaviors, then it’s beneficial to the group.
Nehemiah overcame the obstacles, but he also had his moments of intense discouragement. Thomas Edison once remarked, “Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.” Edison tried 10,000 times before he finally found the right materials for the incandescent light bulb. Every time he failed he gained valuable information about what didn’t work, bringing closer to the solution.
New Testament Principles in a Cell Church
Several New Testament passages specifically deal with leadership characteristics. I’ve summarized these traits in the following list. Notice how these characteristics focus on godliness and servanthood.
- Mark 10:42-45
- Domination is the world’s leadership style
Servant hood is the leadership style of the disciple
Service through the cell ministry
- Domination is the world’s leadership style
- Acts 6:3
- A good testimony
- Filled with the Spirit
- Filled with wisdom
- Romans 12:8
- Diligence
- Timothy 3:1-13 (Titus 1:5-10)
- Social qualities
- A pure life (vv. 3:2-3)
- A good reputation (v. 3:7)
- Moral qualities
- Husband of one wife (v. 3:2)
- Not given to wine (v. 3:3)
- Mental qualities
- Respectable (v. 3:2)
- Self-controlled (v. 3:2)
- Able to teach (v. 3:2)
- Personal qualities
- Gentle (v. 3:3)
- Hospitable (v. 3:2)
- Not a lover of money (v. 3:3)
- Domestic qualities
- House in order (v. 3:2,4-5)
Godly Character
D.L. Moody once commented, “Character is what you are in the dark.” Most of the requirements in the New Testament involve character. Virtues such as honesty, faithfulness, and good judgment are synonymous with New Testament leadership. No amount of talent or giftedness can replace these characteristics. Bad character qualities will ultimately disqualify a person from leadership.
As a young Christian studying at college in Long Beach, California, I once tried to witness to a friend in Biology class. She politely listened and even nodded, but nothing more. One evening several months later, I was eating with friends in a nearby restaurant. To my surprise, this girl from college appeared as our waitress for the evening. We talked, ordered our food, ate, and then asked for the bill. Trying to please us (at the expense of her boss), she came back saying, “I’m not going to write on the bill all of the food that you ate.” God spoke to me immediately, and I said to her, “I appreciate your gesture, but we’re Christians, and God wants us to pay for what we ate.”
