What Is Worship?

 

Hello! This is Multiply, a podcast to encourage church planters and leaders and we are Brad & Daneille Snowden.

When Brad & I pastored, I was the worship leader in our churches. This was a ministry I didn’t know I would walk into as a young adult, but God opened the door and gave me the skill plus anointing to do so. As a worship leader, my responsibility was to be focused completely on the Lord Jesus and to bring Him all my praise. As I worshipped, I also led the congregation by, encouraging them to enter His presence in praise.

I would say ‘focus’ (for me) was an essential element to be able to flow in the Spirit as we worshipped. This particular focus was to bring honor to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

When we look at the parts of worship all of them have one thing in common, it’s not about who does what. It isn’t about how good the worship music is. The most important part of worship is a humble heart that says I need you Lord and all I want is to serve you in my worship.

In John 12: 32 Jesus said “If I be lifted up from the earth, I will draw all men unto me.” 

If we are focused on lifting up Jesus in worship, then there will be no part of us that will be focused upon; it is the humble heart the Lord will reward. Oh the great power that comes when we all worship with one heart, plus the joy that comes into our lives cannot be manufactured by anything else.

In Term 3-16:2 of the New Village Church Planner curriculum, the author wrote: “To be an effective worship leader it is very important to walk in the Spirit and to allow the Holy Spirit to manifest his fruit in your life.” I have found this to hold a great amount of truth! Every week, I would take a long time to seek the Lord alone in His Presence with the Word of God wide open. I then asked Him to lead me into a theme in scripture; as He did, the songs came together for that worship service. I was afraid to stand in front of people without spending quality time in prayer. We have a portion of scripture that was taped on the pulpit: “Sir, we want to see Jesus” from John 12:21. My heart, my attitude and actions must exhibit Jesus, bearing the fruit of the Spirit.

What is worship? It is giving all glory and honor to God.

This has been Multiply, you can find us on the web at vcpencouragment.org, also on Facebook, YouTube and Podbean.

God bless and let us all worship Him today -in Spirit and in Truth!

Cell Groups Can Become Churches

 Hello everybody, my name is Dean Davis and this is “Multiply,” the podcast that provides a word of encouragement to Village Church Planters.

A glorious theme of the Scriptures is the theme of organic growth and multiplication.  In Genesis, God commanded the recently created Adam and Eve, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the whole earth.”  God told Abraham, “I will make of you a great nation.” 

Jesus loved the theme of organic growth.  He said that the Kingdom of God is like a mustard seed which a man took and planted in his garden. It grew and became a tree and the birds perched in its branches. He told them still another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about 27 kilos of flour until it worked all through the dough.” 

Can you imagine how big the dough ball would be if it were made from 27 kilos of flour and a little bit of yeast?  It would be huge! It would be huge because even though yeast is tiny, when given water, flour and a little bit of honey or sugar, yeast grows and multiplies and produces an abundance of carbon dioxide to make the dough rise and rise and rise and rise some more.

It’s clear from all these biblical teachings that Jesus loves organic growth and multiplication. He loves to see things that start small grow into a huge blessing.

Cell groups by definition are small groups of people who are learning to obey Jesus. Cell groups don’t look very big or imposing.  People put up signs for churches, but I’ve never seen a sign that says “Cell group meets here.”  Even so cell groups are full of power and full of potential. Even though they start small, they can make a huge impact.

Cell groups can multiply and form new cell groups.  Ideally every church you plant will have multiplying cell groups. Cell groups work best when they have between 5 and 20 members. If they get any bigger than that, fellowship breaks down.  Discussion and interaction is limited. So before your cell group has 20 members, identify one or two members to start new cell groups in another place.

But let me say this, some cell groups can grow to become churches. A great way to start a new church is to start a multiplying cell group in a village where there is no church, a village that is more than a 30 minute walk from your church. Let the cell group multiply until there are 3 or 4 cell groups.  Then bring the small groups together for large group worship.  Then, when you start large group worship, do not stop the cell group meetings. Let each group keep on growing and keep on multiplying itself.  But have all the cell groups come together for large group worship, for the Lord’s Supper, for baptisms and for giving tithes and offerings. These new cell groups, joined together, become a church.

Healthy cell groups that evangelize, study God’s word, pray and have fellowship together are a blessing to the church. So cultivate them.  Let them grow and multiply, use them to start new churches. Then rejoice in the glory of organic growth and multiplication.

This has been “Multiply.” And I’m Dean Davis asking, “Who will you share this encouraging word with today?

 

#EncouragementForVillageChurchPlanters #CellGroups #ChurchPlanting

 

Principles of Leadership - Facilitate Equipping Part 1

This is Chuck Rapp with Multiply, a podcast to provide a word of encouragement for village church planters.

During 2022, I will be sharing my Ten Principles of Leadership. 

We began with Share the Vision.  Leaders both instruct and inspire those who follow them.  “Instruct” deals with imparting knowledge about the vision.  “Inspire” motivates others emotionally to join the cause and to commit themselves to it. 

Principle #2 is “Facilitate Equipping”.  The word “facilitate” implies that the leader does not have to do all the equipping himself or herself.  He/she simply needs to ensure that equipping one’s followers takes place.  We will discuss this aspect in more detail next time.

Today, we look at the models and methods for equipping used by Jesus Christ and the Apostle Paul.

We read in Mark 3:13-15, “Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. He appointed twelve that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach and to have authority to drive out demons.”

Firstly, he “called to him those he wanted”.  Leaders equip others by invitation; they invite others to follow.  It is a selective process. 

Secondly, he appointed twelve that they “might be with him”.  Later, we read in Luke 10 that he sent out 72, but it was only the 12 who were “with him”. 

Thirdly, he “sent them out”.  Notice that for Jesus, discipleship was not learning information and passing a written exam.  Jesus’ model was that of apprenticeship.  This is how we also do things in Village Church Planting.  He taught (and demonstrated), and then he sent them out to do ministry.  As they did so, he also provided feedback (my leadership principle #8). See Matthew chapter 17 for an example of this. 

The apostle Paul took a similar approach though with a smaller circle than Jesus’ 12 apostles. He did not travel alone on any of his missionary journeys.  Companions included Barnabas, Silas, Luke, Timothy, John Mark, and several others.  His equipping method was one of “observe and then do”. 

Timothy, and the others, observed and participated in Paul’s ministry. As they did so, their skills and abilities increased to the point that they were entrusted to lead.  

Paul appointed Timothy to oversee the church in Ephesus, providing these instructions in 1 Timothy 4:13. “Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching.”

Similar to Jesus’ apprenticeship model, Paul’s method was one of mentoring as he equipped Timothy and others for leadership. 

This has been a word of encouragement for Village Church Planters.

Who Can Lead a Cell Group?

 

Hello everybody, my name is Dean Davis and this is “Multiply,” the podcast that provides a word of encouragement to Village Church Planters.

Some of my greatest experiences of Christian fellowship have occurred in cell groups. God our heavenly Father uses the intimacy of a home, the warmth of a small group, the light of his Word, and the faith of brothers and sister in Christ to strengthen his children.  Cell groups provide all of these blessings. Cell groups help us know that we are not alone in the world. They point us to God and give us strength to go on.

For these reasons and more, Village Church Planters are encouraged to start new cell groups to help their churches grow. But almost invariably the question arises, “But who is qualified to lead a cell group? This question is one of the very most important questions that a church planter can ask.  “Who is qualified to lead small groups within the church?  Who is qualified to lead a cell group?  If the church planter fails to answer this question well, he or she will run into many problems.  If the church planter makes the requirements for becoming a cell group leader too difficult, few if any church members will start new groups.  But if the church planter allows unqualified church members to lead new cell groups, that poor decision can lead to all sorts of problems.

You are a church planter; whom should you choose to start and lead new cell groups?  Let me encourage you to set two very firm requirements.  First of all, only choose men and women who are faithful, available, and teachable. Secondly, only choose men and women whom you are willing and able to train, little by little, on an ongoing basis, after they start their groups.

The very ideas and skills you have learned in the VCP training center are the ideas and skills you need to pass on to cell group leaders in your church.  Paul told his disciple Timothy, “… the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others. In the same way, if you want cell groups in your church to prosper, find reliable people and teach them to be effective leaders. Find faithful men and women who have learned to obey Jesus’ commands. Find faithful men and women who love God and neighbor and who have identified themselves with Christ through baptism and participation in the Lord’s Supper. Show them how to lead a cell group. Lead by example, then invite them to start a cell group in their own home.

When you invite them to start a cell group, they may be somewhat fearful of the new responsibility.  But your solemn promise that you will walk beside them and train them month by month should reassure them. Cell groups are inherently simple.  Bring 5 to 20 people together at a time of day or night that is convenient for you and for them. Give a warm welcome. Show respect and kindness. Pray and study God’s word. Talk freely among yourselves. Help everyone, little by little, to trust God more and obey him more fully. Keep it simple; keep it real.

Who can lead a cell group? Men and women who are faithful, available and teachable. What do these faithful, available, and teachable men and women need to be successful?  They need your encouragement, your instruction, your prayer support, month by month for many months.  If you give them these things, soon they will be teaching others to start new groups.

This has been “Multiply.” And I’m Dean Davis asking, “Who will you share this encouraging word with today?

#CellGroups #EncouragmentForChurchPlanters #2Timothy2

Cell Group Meetings Vs Large Group Worship

 

Hello! This is Multiply, a podcast to encourage church planters and leaders; and I am your host – Daneille Snowden. In our 26 years of pastoring one of my favorite times was when we had a home cell group ministry. One home meeting was quite special. Two ladies who were sisters as well as widows wanted to start a cell group in their home. They invited us to lead them. So, we worshiped and dug deep into God’s Word. This special time in their living room gave a relaxed and close atmosphere where people felt they could share with one another. The best part was when their family members and friends who sat in the kitchen, were listening and then drawn-in; this resulted in them giving their hearts to Jesus too! We saw more souls get saved percentagewise in this cell ministry than in most typical church services.  

There seems to be an ease for people to be open in their minds and hearts to receive God’s Love, and His Word. Relationships within the Body of Christ deepen because there is the opportunity for more one-on-one communication. This also creates an opportunity for more accountability in the Christian walk towards one another.

My brother Dean Davis gave a great explanation on what the responsibilities of a cell group and church have in the Multiply Podcast called: Cell Groups Can Help Your Church Grow. One of the aspects he mentioned is how cell groups cultivate and grow new leaders within the church. When cell groups reconvene together in church it creates a great foundation for the church to continue to grow deeper, wider, and stronger.

Large cell groups, that number more than 20 can lose a sense of intimacy and accountability. Also, finding a place for everyone to meet makes a challenge too, among several other dynamics to try to work around. I would venture to say though, if a large group met on a rare occasion based on a prayer meeting, or a worship night; it can be a great time for the body of believers in Christ to be encouraged. 

Our objective is to build one another up in the faith as stated in 1 Thessalonians 5:11 which says: “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.”  

We must never cease to preach the authentic, true, and powerful Word of God. 

“And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.” Acts 5:42

I hope and pray as you continue to plant more churches and develop even cell groups; the Holy Spirit leads you in every part of the way! 

This has been Multiply, please share this podcast with others! Find us on vcpencouragement.org, also on Facebook and YouTube. Be sure to click follow and share! 

Cell Groups Can Help Your Church Grow

 

Hello everybody, my name is Dean Davis and this is “Multiply,” the podcast that provides a word of encouragement to Village Church Planters.

A church is a group of people that works to obey all that Jesus commanded. Churches carry out the nine activities of a church described in Acts 2:37-47. Churches pray and apply God’s word, churches have fellowship and give. Churches practice evangelism and baptize new believers. Churches serve the Lord’s Supper and worship God. Churches train their members for ministry.

So, if a church is a group of people that works to obey all that Jesus commanded, what is a cell group?  A cell group is group of people who are members of church. As a cell group they obey some of the commands of Jesus, but not all.

For example it is common for members of a cell group to pray, worship, study God’s word, have fellowship together, and practice evangelism as a cell group.  But many cell groups will always, or almost always give their tithes and offerings, baptize and participate in the Lord’s Supper with the entire church body, including members of other cell groups.

A church is a group of people that works to obey all that Jesus commanded. A cell group is a small group that is a part of church. Cell groups obey some of the commands of Jesus together, but not all.

So why have cell groups? Cell groups provide some wonderful opportunities that are often not available in a church.  Cell groups are usually small groups of 5 to 20 members.  Cell groups often meet in homes. Cell groups do not have elaborate meetings.  The meeting of a cell group is simple, easy to organize, relaxed, and very friendly. Small groups like this make it easy for the leader to make everyone feel welcome, loved, and appreciated.  Small, friendly cell groups provide a great atmosphere for dialogue, asking and answering questions, and good conversation. 

And here is another characteristic of cell groups that wise church leaders find very helpful. Cell groups are great places for new believers to take responsibility to lead other in obedience to Christ.  By leading a cell group, church members grow in their ability to make disciples of Jesus.

And because cell groups are easy to start, they can be started in homes or businesses close to where the whole church meets together, or far from where the whole church meets together.

All over the world and all across Africa, God is using cell groups that are located far from the mother church to start second generation churches. He can do the same in the villages that you serve. 

So start cell groups near and far.  Cell groups that start near the meeting place of your church will probably not grow and develop to become churches. But cell groups started in villages that are more than a one hour walk from your first-generation church meeting place can become churches in their own right. They start out with fellowship, prayer and study of God’s word, then they begin to include worship, training of leaders, evangelism, the Lord’s Supper, baptism and giving to their group life.

In a very natural way, what started as a cell group becomes a church that obeys all the commands of Christ and carries out all of the activities of the church in Jerusalem described in Acts 2:37-47.

Cell groups can help you church grow by inviting new people to cell groups meetings. Cell groups can help your church grow by developing new, young leaders for the church. Cell groups started far from your church meeting place can help your church grow by developing into new churches. The wise church planter gives attention to starting and developing cell groups.

This has been “Multiply.” And I’m Dean Davis asking, “Who will you share this encouraging word with today?

#CellGroups #AWordofEncouragementForVillageChurchPlanters #Acts2