The Church in Many Houses: Reaching Your Community Through Cell-based Ministry - Softcover

Cordle, Steve

Softcover

ISBN 10: 068732579X ISBN 13: 9780687325795

Publisher: Abingdon Press, 2005

Synopsis

Forewords by Joel Comiskey and Michael Slaughter Steve Cordle has captured the heart behind the success of the New Testament Church...the life of the body is in the cell. —Michael Slaughter, Senior Pastor of Ginghamsburg Church A lot of people talk about cell groups but not many do them, especially in mainline churches. This book is written by a mainline pastor whose church lives and breathes cell ministry. —Bill Easum, President of Easum, Bandy & Associates, www.easumbandy.com Although the largest churches in the world are cell-based, many have questioned whether the model will work in North America. The Church In Many Houses: Reaching Your Community Through Cell-Based Ministry makes the case that the cell model will work— if key assumptions about spiritual growth and the nature of the church are reexamined and renewed. By drawing on scripture, research, and insights gained through personal experience as the pastor of a growing cell church, Steve Cordle identifies five pivotal philosophical shifts necessary for the cell approach to work. These are mindset shifts that move from: programs to relationships—the purposes of the church are best fulfilled in the cell group instead of in programs member to disciple-maker—every member can and should become a group leader educating to equipping—spiritual growth is not knowing more but applying more “come and see” to “go and show”—the power of penetration evangelism church with cells to cell is church—the cell is not just a part of the church; it is the church. Imposing a cell structure upon a congregation that has not yet made these philosophical shifts we are likely to fail. But when people adopt these biblical mindset changes, the cell approach will seem natural, and will result in great unity and effectiveness. The Church In Many Houses will help congregations make the changes that are necessary for success. Steve Cordle is growing the kind of church he is writing about: a missional congregation that is committed to developing fully devoted followers of Christ through cell groups. This is a fine volume for those who want to grow a church both spiritually and numerically. I highly recommend it. —Dr. Jeff Greenway, President of Asbury Theological Seminary Rev. Dr. Steve Cordle is founding pastor of Crossroads United Methodist Church, a growing cell-based church in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He serves on the board of Cell Church Consulting International and has studied cell based churches in the U.S. and Asia. He contributed questions for Home Cell Group Explosion Discussion Guide by Joel Comiskey. Steve is a graduate of Wittenberg University, Asbury Theological Seminary (M. Div.), and United Theological Seminary (D. Min.). Church and Ministry/Church Life/Church Growth

About this title

About the Authors

Rev. Dr. Steve Cordle is founding pastor of Crossroads United Methodist Church, a growing cell-based church in Pittsburgh, Pa. (900 weekly attendance and over 60 cell groups). He serves on the board of Cell Church Consulting International and has studied cell based churches in the U.S. and Asia. He contributed questions for Home Cell Group Explosion Discussion Guide by Joel Comiskey.

Steve is a graduate of Wittenberg University, Asbury Theological Seminary (M. Div.), and United Theological Seminary (D. Min.).

Thomas G. Bandy is an internationally-recognized church consultant and leadership coach. He works across the spectrum of church traditions, denominations, congregations, contexts, and cultures. Tom coaches transforming and transitioning congregations, church plants, multi-site and cross-cultural churches, and faith-based nonprofits. He is the president of Thriving Church Consulting LLC and can be found in his virtual office at ThrivingChurch.com. He is the author of several books on congregational leadership.

Edition details

• Publisher: Abingdon Press
• Publication date: 2005
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 068732579X
• ISBN 13: 9780687325795
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 144