CELL LEADER'S MANUAL

A GUIDE- AND REFERENCE- BOOK FOR CELL (SMALL) GROUP LEADERS, PROSPECTIVE CELL LEADERS,

AND GENERAL YOUTH LEADERS

BY

GORDON E. MULLINGS

Trials, Montserrat

December 1992

Rev. June 2002b

(Not to be duplicated without the permission of the Author.  Permission may be sought through kairosfocus@yahoo.co.uk )

TABLE OF CONTENTS/SCHEDULE

The systematic training of cell leaders is critical to the long-term success of a cell initiative.  Such a programme may be organised in any one of several ways. 

For instance, towards the end of the academic year before potential cell leaders are to take up new responsibilities, an orientation session could be held to introduce and motivate the programme to participants, followed by a period of individual reflection and study over the summer.  Then at the beginning of the new academic year, a weekend retreat and several workshop sessions could be held.  After this, cells of cell leaders could be used for onward training and development, as well as a vehicle for co-ordination and mutual support.

A logical sequence of topics and session for such training, based on the contents of this manual, organised as a ten-session course[2], would be:

INTRODUCTION

The things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.  [2 Tim 2:2.]

It is bold, almost foolhardy, to put half a dozen lives into the hands of a nineteen or twenty year old youth.  Yet, this is exactly what we do in our cell groups.

Moreover, the people in the hands of our cell leaders are in training to become the leaders and thinkers who will guide the Caribbean well into the twenty-first century.

We only dare to do such a thing by standing on God's power and promises.  For, he is able to make us "competent as ministers of a new covenant . . . of the Spirit."  [2 Cor 3:5, 6.]

Such competence, however, does not come in one blazing, life-transforming moment of encounter with God: the twelve apostles (the prototype Christian cell group!) were not suddenly transformed at the Mount of Transfiguration, nor did they instantaneously become perfect at Pentecost.  Rather, competence takes time, effort, training, diligent practice, and, to be honest, learning from our mistakes. 

This is why Paul urged Timothy to find faithful men who would submit themselves to training, and pass on their heritage in God to yet others.

It is also the reason for, and the focus of, this manual.  In it, we have tried to distil the lessons we have learned as we have worked with cells on campuses since their introduction in November 1977.  (The cell group was originally introduced as a follow-up tool for the watershed Mona Campus Missions '77.  They proved to be so successful that the cell became a permanent feature of the movement's strategy.)

As you use the manual as a text and reference book, then, we suggest that you first work through the Self-Test on Leadership, with a friend, to help you highlight the points you need to especially emphasise.  Next, go through the three major sections, in order.  (Refer to the Table of Contents for details.)  The first, on cells, will help clarify the cell strategy.  The second will help you develop Bible study skills, build your prayer life, and improve your ability to share the gospel.  The third one will help you to grow as a Christian leader as you focus on the credibility of the Faith, on how to help those who are hurting, and on how to work with yourself and others to develop and implement effective plans.  (Many of the issues are dealt with as Bible studies, so we urge you to work through the studies carefully, not just to read them.)

Finally, we ask you to diligently apply what you learn in your work, and to hand it on to those you lead.  May God be with you as you work with those who embody the future.

Gordon,

Trials, Montserrat.

92:12:17.