D. Pilgrims will go through a Quest as a JUMP group. This may be the original JUMP group or apprentices may choose to affiliate with another mentor who has a similar calling or expertise to offer. They will continue to practice the spiritual disciplines of the JUMP group throughout the Quest. The small size of a Quest JUMP group – two apprentices plus one or two mentors – makes logistics simple and lowers costs. They can travel in one car.
E. The Quest group is financially supported and sent by a sponsoring group within the church that will also help with labor, with prayer, and provides an arena for testimonies from Quest participants each step of the way. This supportive community significantly boosts excitement.
The traditional model for the Quest is an expanded version of the process to become an Eagle Scout. This will be a familiar model for many members of the congregation. Just as in the Eagle project, the other members of the larger group will be included in the Quest not only through hearing the testimony of the pilgrims but also as willing, helping hands whenever labor is needed. Ideally, a Quest should take one to two years of dedicated effort and involve an entire community.
F. The first task in the Quest will be a “hajj” or pilgrimage to a teaching church seminar that exemplifies either cell church principles or the ministry to which the Quest group is called. The goal of the pilgrimage is to learn from observing the very best church that is nationally known for the highest quality ministry with the chosen people group. Searching for such example or “city on a hill” churches should be a part of the gifts/ministry identification process.[1]
Example: Our diabetic JUMP group on a pilgrimage might search for a church with expertise in parish nursing or some other nationally known health related ministry and attend a workshop at that church.
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]Cell type churches for Quest pilgrimages would include Willow Creek Community Church in suburban Chicago (www.willowcreek.com), Ginghamsburg United Methodist Church in rural Dayton, Ohio (www.ginghamsburg.org), Bethany World Prayer Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana (www.bccn.com), and Saddleback Church in suburban Los Angeles (www.purposedriven.com).