QUOTE
The Discipleship System at Ginghamsburg.
Ginghamsburg=s strategy is one of assimilation and invitation as a come structure attractive to unchurched persons. It begins with a first contact at worship and brings a person through concentric circles to participate in the healthy core group of persons in active ministry. Between worship and the core group of servants is the circle of Sunday School and the circle Ginghamsburg calls cell (SE: 120-05).Sunday School is a learning opportunity outside of worship, one of which could be the 12 week membership class. Derived from the metachurch model, Ginghamsburg perceives the purpose of the cell or small group experience to be the place that real fellowship, or what the bible calls koinonia, takes place. The cell is the place of accountability and encouragement… It is in this environment of unconditional love and challenge that I discover the freedom to be real and open myself to the healing process of the Holy Spirit. True depth of discipleship can happen only at this level… From the cell, persons are encouraged to identify their Aburning bush@ and begin to use their gifts and talents in ministry. The cell groups=s purpose is both to encourage by throwing gasoline on burning bushes, and to hold accountable by asking hard questions (SE: 122-123).
NOTE (my response)
DISCERNMENT QUESTIONS
RESOURCES
SE: Michael Slaughter, Spiritual Entrepreneurs: Six Principles for Risking Renewal (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1994). Quotes from the book are in italics.
“First Love: A Christ Centered Environment for Church Renewal” by Michael Slaughter. Dayton, OH: Whaleprints at United Theological Seminary, 1990. (video; currently unavailable.)
Footnotes:
The quote is from Major League Disciple Making: An Overview of the Best Research on the Cell Church, an online course developed for the Institute for Discipleship at www.BeADisciple.com in 2009. Course materials, including these lectures, can be downloaded here: http://www.disciplewalk.com/IFD_MLD_Class_Links.html
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.