1. Rob Steed http://vicpastors.adventist.org.au Building Community

3. This Session

4. Multiplying Principle • “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” - Matthew 28:18-20

5. A Multiplying Church KEY INSIGHT... Healthy churches grow and reproduce!

6. Multiply At Three Levels

7. Cell Versus Youth Fellowship Cell Group Youth fellowship Can scare introverts. Often inward looking. Are leader depend in there function. Don’t focus on developing youth’s gifts. Often struggle to include newcomers. • Maintain intimacy. • Is outward focussed. • Provides opportunity for new leaders to develop. • Are good at involving young people in ministry. • Are great at integrating newcomers.

8. 1. Inviting People Into Community “Finding community is as critical as obtaining food and shelter, since the need to belong is what makes us human.” Diane Leaf Christian

9. Christ’s Method “Christ's method alone will give true success in reaching the people. The Saviour mingled with men as one who desired their good. He showed His sympathy for them, ministered to their needs, and won their confidence. Then He bade them, "Follow Me.“ Ellen White Ministry of Healing, p. 143.

10. Friendship

11. Extending Friendships

12. Connecting With The Lost “It is through the social relations that Christianity comes in contact with the world.” Ellen White GW page 480

13. Inviting People into Community • We don’t just visit to invite people back to church. • We visit to build relationships and to invite people into our lives. • The small group is the safest place for newcomers and former members to be introduced to the church.

14. 2. Focussing on the Lost "Only through focus can you do world-class things, no matter how capable you are.“ Bill Gates

15. More Workers “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field." (Matthew 9:37-38)

16. Organizing into Teams The work of the Lord's ambassadors is to organize companies of workers to hunt for the souls who need help." Ellen White Manuscript Vol 12 p240

17. A Challenging Statement “The Sabbath School should be one of the greatest instrumentalities, and the most effectual, in bringing souls to Christ.”Ellen White Testimonies on Sabbath-School Work (1900), page 20

18. Class-Group Focus • Reaching out to youth is a regular agenda item of the group. • List contacts (seekers) former members, members needing pastoral care and assign group members to visit. • Organise group event to invite these people to. • Prayer and invite.

19. 3.Holistic Group Life When group are holistic they typically are healthy and will grow.

20. Power Of Groups • This power comes as members enter into the presence of God through Christ in group meetings. • It comes from the study and application of the Word.

21. Power Of Groups • It comes as group members share their stories and prayer life with each other. • The group releases the power of the individual as members are encouraged to develop and exercise their giftedness within and outside of the group.

22. Ministry Development in Group The ‘Have a go’ principle! • The class-group is an important support for newcomers in developing their gifts. • Group members can give feedback and suggestion for exploring their gifts.

23. Holistic Groups… • Apply the Word. • Grow friendships. • Reach out to others. • Involve participants in ministry. • Grow new leaders.

24. Ideal Youth Cell Group • Is lead by a mature youth and apprentice(s). • Meets Sabbath morning in Sabbath School and once a week in a home. • Has a nominated pastoral care coordinator and hospitality host. • Has a very active social life. • Its members are seeker focussed. • Newcomers are mentored by a group member. • Members are exercising their spiritual gifts. • Their is an expectation to multiply.

25. 4. Multiplying Cell "It is through creating, not possessing, that life is revealed." Vida D. Scudder

26. Core Members • First task is to obtain commitment from two or three others. • From the core an apprentice leader will arise. • Divide the core when multiplying. • Look after your core members.

27. Multiply For Growth • Multiply sooner than latter. • Each multiplication produces another leader. • Each multiplication creates another community for newcomers to join.

28. How To Encourage Multiplication 1. Speak the Vision. 2. Use the analogy of a family. 3. Be open to creative models of group multiplication. 4. Have as many assistant cell leaders as possible. 5. Pour you time into future leaders.

29. How To Encourage Multiplication 6. Have apprentice leaders receive regular training. 7. When the time is right start a new class-group. 8. Share the vision with the class-group. 9. Have a commissioning service.

30. Every Time We Multiply A Group • A new leader is made. • A new spiritual family is created. • A new ministry team comes into being. • There is an increased commitment. • New space is created for newcomers.

31. NCD Research • So which is the healthier approach? Is it better for church leaders to push for multiplication or to allow groups to develop close relationships without the “encouragement” to multiply?

32. A System The work of the Lord's ambassadors is to organize companies of workers to hunt for the souls who need help." Ellen White Manuscript Vol 12 p240

33. Our class-group bags, uh, befriends another unbeliever!

34. For More Information Go To www.vicpastors.adventist.org.au robsteed@adventist.org.au