Cho experienced a physical collapse from overwork in 1964. After much prayer he began the cell ministry with women serving as spiritual leaders.[1] This new innovation increased the competency of the church despite the virtual non-involvement of the senior pastor for several years. Attendance grew to five thousand by 1966. The church reported eight thousand members and 150 cell groups in 1968. The primary pattern of ministry continued to be worship, prayer, ministry visitation in homes by both clergy and laity, and gathering seekers into cells.[2]
QUOTE [1]
NOTE
DISCERNMENT QUESTIONS
RESOURCES
[1] The quote is a selection from David O. Kueker’s Fuller Seminary Doctor of Ministry project submitted in September, 2007, entitled Diagnosis, Dialogue, and Decision: A Threefold Process of Revitalization For the Illinois Great Rivers Conference.
It is shared here in recognition of its 12th Anniversary along with comments to update and provide perspective on the material. The original project was a Training Manual/Study Guide of three Seminars supported by three chapters of research and an Introduction. The material is available for download at www.disciplewalk.com/Resources.html. In 2009 it was provided for purchase as a softcover book entitled Designing Discipleship Systems: Christian Disciple Making For Any Size Church, Any Theology through CreateSpace.com.
[2][3] [4][5] [6][7] [8]
All Scripture quotations are from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1946, 1952, and 1971 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Please review the page How and Why We Use Quotes.
[1]Ibid., 28, 82, 83-88. Cf. David Yongii Cho, Successful Home Cell Groups (Gainesville, FL: Bridge-Logos, 1981), 4-20. Cho’s use of women as spiritual leaders was a radical antithesis to an entrenched cultural discrimination against women in Korea. Mija Sa, “Women in the Korean Church: A Historical Survey,” Reformed World 45, no. 1,(March 1995), under http://www.warc.ch/dp/rw9512 /04.html (accessed June 13, 2007).
[2]Hurston, Growing the World’s Largest Church, 28-29.