Kensington Temple London City Church - London and the World for Christ

Every Pastor wants to know how to make their church grow. But growth is more than strategy.

When most church leaders hear about the amazing growth in the ICM church in Columbia they immediately want to know the details of their strategy. But we need more than a strategy for growth. We need a fully developed vision for discipleship, nurture and mission and a new pattern for church life in the 21st Century.

For us in the London City Church network everything we value is championed in the cell vision we now have. For years we have placed a high value on intercession, spiritual gifts, spiritual warfare, church growth, evangelism, missions, training and mobilisation. All these aspects are being effectively expressed in the cell vision we have adopted and developed over the past 5 years. The dynamic life of the church now takes place through the cells.

The vision of LCC has always been for mobilisation. Our ministry is all about winning, equipping and releasing the body of Christ into ministry. The church is called to the service of Jesus - not full time ministers! Our size is secondary to this goal of effective mobilisation, but there can be no doubt that we are set for explosive growth as we move forward in this vision.

The key to the success of this vision is not just the strategy of our cell vision but the values that uphold it. We cannot think that we will be successful simply by adopting a strategy. We must rise to the challenge spiritually, take on new levels of the anointing and, above all, embrace all the values that lie behind it applying them and developing them as the Holy Spirit leads us.

1. The Model of 12 is a vision for discipleship
Jesus said, "Make disciples" (see Matthew 28:19-20). He did not just tell us to evangelise or to get decisions. People who accept the gospel and believe must be discipled. They must be taught, shaped and formed into the image of Jesus. We are still far short of full obedience in this respect. Many people who make decisions to become Christians in various forms of evangelism across the world are never truly discipled in the paths of Christ. This must change, and we must place full obedience to Jesus' command on the highest level of our agenda as his people and as his church.

2. The Model of 12 is a cell vision
Cells are small groups of people who meet together weekly in order to disciple each other and reach out to those who don't know Christ. We must learn to love the cells. They are where the blessing of growth takes place. Cells are a highly effective way of fulfilling the New Testament mandate we have as believers to be disciples and to disciple others. That's where you receive the personal ministry you need and where you find and fulfil your ministry in the body of Christ.

3. The Model of 12 is a vision for leadership
The Model of 12 which emphasises the leadership development aspect of the vision. Every Christian is a potential leader. We are all called to serve Jesus and to lead others to Him. Those who are leading cells are discipled in groups of 12 (like the 12 disciples of Jesus). Therefore everyone who ministers is also ministered to in this vision. That means there is proper accountability in all things.

4. The Model of 12 is a vision for multiplication
This is one of the most exciting aspects of the cell vision. Jesus' purpose for you is fruitfulness. He wants you to be successful in your life. He calls you to 'to be fruitful and multiply'. The growth that comes through the Model of 12 is not through transferring members from other churches. It comes through the cells as the members reach out to their family, neighbours and friends. This means everyone must develop a passion for the lost and reach them uncompromisingly for Christ.

5. The Model of 12 is a vision for the glory of God
Something wonderful happens when God's people are mobilised. The 'super star syndrome' disappears and the work is done all. The real heroes in this vision are the members of the church not a handful of its super-anointed leaders. That way God can really get the glory. Signs, wonders, miracles and mighty deeds happen throughout the whole church and everyone has a part to play.

As you can see the vision of the Model of 12 is a comprehensive one. And it takes some time to implement it fully. There will be new initiatives and creative innovation in every area of your church and personal lives. It will bring unrecognisable transformation to the way you think about church fellowship and to the way you do things. The cost will be high. But the rewards will be worth it.

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