Sounds pretty good to me. People could still have "mega-mini-visions" (e.g. a bunch of people are totally excited to go on a Sudanese mission trip, or an orphan ministry springs up) but no one is telling the group that EVERYONE ought to be in at least one of our OFFICIAL Mega-Mini-Vision Groups, and we'll be taking role at each MMVG meetings and you can't vote unless you attend at least 75% of your MMVG meetings...

Feel me, dogs?

Chris,

Your comments (here and on Justin's blog) have been on my mind alot today. I'm not going to share everything as I'm trying to formulate it, but there are a couple of specific things I want to say to you. I like what you wrote here...what happened Sunday is what we used to do...every year....it was called a business mtg....and only those that gave a rat's patooee came. That all changed a few years ago, to only discuss business because people didn't like the 4 hour meetings and we were encouraged to attend elder mtgs to bring things up...obviously (hind sight being 20/20) that didn't work as well...so let's re-evaluate, retrace our steps and see where we can go from here. I did like the mosaic vision statement if we wanted to use that as a model...why not bring it to the next meeting? But I don't think the issue is about our vision statement...I think it is about how we sorta lost our way, but we're trying to find it again...

And on a personal note of sorta disagreement (I think you said this on J's site) that the cell model doesn't allow for exiting (as in your personal situation)...I'm not sure I agree, because if the cell is based on relationship, then the relationship should be there for you to say, "mmmm guys, this is not working for me....I need to take a break and join a cell and just absorb from people for a while, so I need an exit strategy" That is not a personal rejection of anyone in your group...that is honesty....of where you are at and what you are currently needing.

And I do have thoughts on just starting a new thing, but that too is in baby stages and is being worked out. I'll pass it on when I have it together.
alice

Problem may be simply my model of what a cell is supposed to be. Or that I simply have not developed a good enough relationship within my cell to do this, or that I could do it, but misjudge what the others would think/feel. I don't know which it is. Bridget feels similarly, so I judge that it is not all in my head.

I am perfectly willing to take the blame here; other cells function much better. Here is a worrisome aspect then: what business do I have leading a cell? Somebody able to nurture relationships might do far better here.

It is interesting to me that I used to think that I was pretty much set in what I thought about most things, especially church-related stuff. Lately I feel like I cannot make up my mind for more than a month or two. Big church/small church, cell groups/house church, elder led/pastor led, lecture-sermon/discussion. Too much freedom. I'm ready to stop thinking now, and let someone else play shepherd. I'm better as a sheep.

Chris, I don't think there is any blame here or to judge whether or not you've done the job. I think you are in a place where you just might need some healing or restoration or for a time to be a sheep. We go in and out of seasons and especially if you feel that you can't make up your mind, then perhaps this is a season that you need to rest. And regarding cells, remember that I am the one that absolutely hates the word cell and what the definition it carries does to people, so forget the model for a minute. I'm saying that it is ok for you to look at your group of people and say "I gotta get outa here" and you really might need a little moral support. I heard a cry for help on Sunday and to me that is what is important. I remember when the Fairbanks really felt like a failure and they needed to just to be absorbed into a group for a while. Maybe there is someone that would like to step into leading your group (Palmers?) so that you can transition out. I just believe there is a solution. I think you need some encouragement.

For what it is worth, I like the "vision" you expressed: "we will be a community who loves God, loves people, and works hard to respond to every situation in a way that pleases Christ and builds up the Kingdom of God."

:::nods:::

Very nice.