Cells … begin through ministry visitation among strangers in a micro-mission field.

Christ commanded his followers to love their neighbors. Cells are generally homogenous but begin through ministry visitation among strangers in a micro-mission field. Persons who have been displaced from their former networks of relationships are psychologically ready to form new networks in their new environment. Cells take advantage of this opportunity by inviting displaced persons into their small group community.[1] Ministry visits make strangers into friends. A focus on existing relationships in one person’s oikos network soon exhausts the potential of those relationships. The local neighborhood focus in a transient society provides a never-ending stream of potential converts as cell leaders build increasing relational influence in their neighborhoods.

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]For a discussion of people movements and ministry to displaced persons, see Craig Miller, NextChurch.Now, 37-54. Individuals approaching individuals as geographical neighbors overcomes racial, ethnic, and class barriers according to Malcolm Gladwell, The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make A Big Difference (New York: Little, Brown & Co., 2002), 35. Cf. Rodney Stark, Cities of God: The Real Story of How Christianity Became an Urban Movement and Conquered Rome (New York: HarperSanFrancisco, 2006), 8-13.