Reading: House to House - Chapter 10 The Responsibilities of Leaders

Chapter 10

The Responsibilities
of Leaders

I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before Me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found none (Ezekiel 22:30).

God has called us to "stand in the gap” for Christians and those who have not yet made a decision to follow Christ. We are called to pray for people. Since we are encouraged in Scripture to "pray without ceasing,” I believe the Lord would be pleased if we purposed in our hearts to see that each one in our group is covered daily in prayer. We should also pray specifically for family members, friends, and acquaintances of those in our group who have not yet accepted Christ.

Leaders Are Responsible to Pray

The challenge that the Lord has set before us is to trust Him, to reach those who do not know Jesus, and to make disciples. This is the basic job description of a small group and house church leader. In accepting the responsibility to encourage and serve a group of believers, our first priority (next to maintaining a close relationship with Jesus and serving our families) is to pray for those the Lord has placed in our group.

Praying is sometimes hard work. Like anything else worthwhile, it must be learned, and learning takes time!

My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you (Galatians 4:19).

One of the greatest ways to serve those within the small group and house church is to "labor in prayer” for them. Ask God for direction, and He will show you how to pray diligently for each person.

I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven (Matthew 18:18).

You also need to be involved in spiritual warfare on a regular basis. God has given you the authority to bind the powers of evil and to loose blessing and freedom in the name of Jesus! When praying for the people for whom we are spiritually responsible, it is important that we pray in Jesus' name against any divisive spirits that would try to hinder our group.

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 6:12).

Often, individuals don't know they are being influenced by demonic spirits. When people are manipulated by demonic spirits, they may simply seem disinterested or unresponsive to what is going on in the group. In reality, the enemy is hindering them. As a small group or house church leader, you need to "get in your prayer closet” and pray for them in Jesus' name, taking authority over those spirits that are holding them back.

If someone is struggling with a life-controlling problem or openly displaying demonic activity, it is usually best for the small group leaders to meet with this person outside of the meeting. This will give opportunity for further prayer, counsel, ministry, and deliverance. In areas of deliverance from demonic spirits, it is wise to minister two by two whenever possible. If you are not trained, bring someone else who is, but go with the heart of God to learn to minister in this way.

I met a friend in a restaurant one day who was struggling with a habit of smoking cigarettes. He hated it but seemed unable to stop. He was not free to discuss this with the whole group of people in his small group, but he was open with me when we were alone. I prayed for him in the restaurant, and he asked me to take his cigarettes and destroy them. I instructed him to confess the Scripture, "sin [cigarettes] shall have no dominion over me” (Rom. 6:14). During the next few weeks I checked in on him and encouraged him to continue to trust the Word of God. He was set free. Second Corinthians 10:3-4 says:

For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.

As you serve the people in prayer behind the scenes, your group will experience more unity of spirit and a better atmosphere for spiritual growth.

Praying the Scriptures has been a helpful way for me to pray. When you pray the Word of God, you can know that you are praying the Lord's will. Personalize Scripture with the names of those for whom you are praying. For example: "I pray that [Brian's] love may abound more and more . . .” (Phil. 1:9-10). Other excellent "Scripture prayers” to use in praying for spiritual growth among those in your small group or house church can be found in Colossians 1:9-12, Ephesians 1:15-21, and Ephesians 3:14-19.

As believers in Jesus Christ, we can pray with confidence that the Father hears us and will answer our prayers. Philippians 1:6 teaches us to be "confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.” We should pray this truth for those in our small group or house church and for those the Lord is drawing into His Kingdom.

I could give countless illustrations of times when small group or house church members have agreed together in prayer for someone, and God has moved sovereignly to draw that person to Himself. I like to tell the story of two new Christians, Jim and Julie, who began to pray with their small group for the salvation of Jim's father. For years, this man had been angered by any mention of God or religion, but after the group began to pray, Jim noticed that his father began to show an inquisitive attitude toward God. Jim knew the prayers of the believers were not going unnoticed. Then Jim's dad had a terrible accident. In the last hours of his life, while he was still conscious and functioning with a clear mind, a nun at the hospital led Jim's dad to Jesus. Although it was difficult to see a loved one die, Jim and Julie were able to rejoice along with their small group because they knew that the prayers of small group members had played a part in bringing Jim's dad out of the kingdom of darkness and into the kingdom of light.

As a leader, you must set the standard in prayer. Some time ago, I asked the Lord how to have a church that prays. He spoke clearly and said, "You pray.” A leader must make prayer a priority.

It's important to have someone to pray with whenever possible. Jesus said in Matthew 18:19: "Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by My Father in heaven.”

Pray with your assistant leader(s) on a regular basis. Make sure that you and your assistants are praying for all of your small group members regularly and individually. This will help to alert you and others in leadership to any problems that may accompany the spiritual growth that is occurring in your small group or house church. Pray regularly with your spiritual overseer(s), pastor(s), and those who have been placed over you by the Lord.

Some small groups and house churches find it helpful for each person in the group to have a prayer partner. This may be changed monthly or from time to time. Prayer teams for spiritual warfare are also effective. Small group prayer is important because it helps us to know the heart of others; this fosters spiritual intimacy and strengthens relationships. Remember to pray with expectancy! Through doubt and unbelief, the enemy will try to break our communication line to God.

If your small group or house church seems to be lacking in the area of prayer, have someone come into your group who has an anointing in the area of prayer to teach on the subject and to provide a model of prayer. Prayer is contagious. As you pray with someone who has a "spirit of intercession,” your entire group will begin to experience power in prayer. Praying together will also help bring unity to the group.

Leaders Are Called to Make Disciples

Making disciples is the charge that has been given to every believer in the Lord Jesus Christ. Christians call it "The Great Commission.” This commission from our Lord Jesus is not an option. We are called to make disciples.

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age (Matthew 28:19-20).

Discipleship in its truest sense is not something to be afraid of. It simply means being a friend to someone and helping him or her grow in his or her relationship with God. When Beth, a single mom, joined Cathy's cell group, Cathy at first felt led to pray for Beth and her daughter every day. Cathy and Beth were as different as night and day and seemed to have little in common, but they soon realized that God was bonding them together in a precious way. Cathy became a support system for Beth in her early Christian days. Today, Beth, beautifully matured in Jesus, is often an encouragement to Cathy.

A small group or house church leader who only wants to teach or lead but not be involved in making disciples will not be successful in helping people come to maturity in Christ. Sheep need shepherds, someone who will not only guide them in which way to go but will walk side by side with them, even helping them to carry their load if necessary. Our focus must be on Jesus and helping others become conformed into the image of Christ, not attempting to fulfill our gifts through others.

Leaders Are Called to Encourage, Not to Control

One of the lessons to be learned from history is that small group leaders and house church leaders who are immature or insecure may seek to control God's people rather than encourage them to hear from the Lord for themselves. Our goal must be to present every believer mature in Christ.

We proclaim Him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ (Colossians 1:28).

We need to help the believers in our group learn how to receive direction from the Lord themselves, not encourage them to depend on us by telling them what to do. For example, in considering questions of family finances, family size, child rearing styles, political differences, decisions about standard of living, and so on, a small group or house church leader can give counsel based on his understanding of the Word of God, but such issues, not clearly decided by Scripture, must ultimately be left to the conscience of each believer.

Dr. Cho, in his book Successful Home Cell Groups, gives some excellent advice on this subject:

In the past, many home groups have been established outside of the local church and outside of established denominations. . . . In some cases these independent groups led many Christians into bondage. No one could make a decision unless it was confirmed by the elders of the group. Personal communication with the Holy Spirit was discouraged as those in authority began to exercise greater control over the personal lives of the members, including telling them who they should marry and telling younger members if they were permitted to have contact with their "unbelieving” parents. One of the problems with the independent home groups is that some of them have exercised too much control over their members. That is wrong.

In our church the cell leaders are there to help oversee the spiritual growth of the members, and to encourage them in fellowship and evangelism. But they are never to meddle in the affairs of the members. That is not the responsibility of the church. Each member must be encouraged and taught to depend on the Holy Spirit himself and to develop a life of faith. I never encourage our members to become dependent on the cell leaders . . . anything that destroys personal independence and the individual's personality and responsibility is from the devil. God never created us to be puppets. He gave us personalities to be developed into loving sons and daughters living in relationship with Him. Our home cell groups are designed to promote that relationship.¹

The Leader's Leadership Role Is Limited in Four Ways:

1.He cannot deviate in any way from Scripture and still retain his spiritual leadership. (Believers should go to God's Word first to see what God is saying to them before they take the leader's word for it).

2.He cannot act contrary to the values and guiding principles set by the leadership team of the church or house church network in which he serves and still retain his spiritual leadership. In other words, he cannot act independently outside of his local church authority.

3.He cannot assume the guiding role of the Holy Spirit in the life of another believer. Every believer must ultimately hear from God for himself.

4.He cannot misuse his role of leadership by being abusive, manipulative, or self-serving in any way (for example, by expecting a return for his investment into the lives of people, whether financial, practical, or spiritual).

A Section Leader or Coach--a Small Group Leader Who Oversees Several Small Groups

In a cell-based church, we call a leader who leads his own small group and is also gifted and graced to oversee several other small group leaders, a "section leader, zone leader, or coach.” A coach usually is responsible for approximately two to six groups. Many times the groups that a coach oversees have been birthed out of the small group that he leads. In this case, the relationships have already been established between the coach and the small group leaders for whom he is responsible.

A job description for a coach would include praying daily for the leaders he oversees and meeting with the small group leaders for prayer, encouragement, accountability, and spiritual guidance as needed. Coaches also encourage the groups within their section to come together for outreach--fellowship, picnics, teaching, etc.--as the Holy Spirit leads. They serve the local pastors by sharing their experiences as leaders and clearly communicating their spiritual insights with the small group leaders for whom they are responsible.

Leaders Are Trained and, in Turn, Train Assistants to Help Them

Most DOVE churches have regular small group leaders' training times where leaders are encouraged, learn how to be more effective leaders in their small group, and share testimonies and resources with one another with outreach ideas. Pastors use this House to House book as a resource to train new small group leaders. House church leaders also use the House to House book to train assistant house church leaders and future leaders.

DOVE churches encourage potential and new small group leaders to go through a one-day training seminar or listen to an audio or DVD series giving a strategy for small groups called "Small Groups 101.” Advanced training is also offered in the "Small Groups 201” seminar.² For house church leaders and small group leaders, DOVE offers a one-day seminar called "Growing 21st Century Small Groups and House Churches” to train both present and future leaders.³

A few years ago, we recognized the need to more effectively train cell-based and house church leaders and church planters. Recognizing this need resulted in starting the DOVE Leadership and Ministry School. This 135-session leadership training school is producing lasting fruit by giving practical, scriptural leadership tools for both present and future small group leaders, elders, and church planters.

Since many who wanted to receive this training could not move to Pennsylvania to participate in the school, we also offer this training in remote campuses held at local churches worldwide by the use of streaming video. We also produced a video correspondence school in three modules. This training is now being utilized by churches from different denominations and movements throughout the United States, Canada, and in six continents of the world.⁴

Another strategy for training is the one-on-one equipping that takes place when a potential small group or house church leader is discipled by his small group or house church leader. This on-the-job-training is very effective. A potential leader can go along with a leader when he goes to the hospital to pray for the sick. Or the potential leader could join him when he meets with someone who is discouraged and prays a prayer of faith. It has always been a joy for me to lead others to Christ where another believer joins with me as an apprentice and a prayer partner. This way he can witness the miracle of spiritual rebirth right before his eyes. Jesus set the pattern for on-the-job-training. He spent most of His time training a few men, not teaching great crowds. God wants us to train others who will train others--in doing this, we multiply ourselves!

My friend John still talks about the times he joined me witnessing to people in a local park. We walked through the park and took a step of faith in obedience to the Lord as He led us to explain the Good News about Christ with certain individuals. This was a life-changing experience for John.

Small group and house church leaders in training should understand clearly the scriptural principles they learn from training courses, as well as from on-the-job training. They need to be grounded in the Word in order to teach others. Practically speaking, in a cell-based church it is best for a future leader to be regularly involved in small group functions, in weekly celebration meetings, and in personal ministry in the small group setting before beginning to minister as a leader. It is best for future house church leaders to experience serving without a title for a season before becoming a recognized house church leader.

It is also important to remain organized using electronic devices, a simple calendar, or some other type of tool to help remember appointments and to arrive on time. Forgetting an appointment with someone gives the impression that we don't really care about them.

When starting a new small group or house church, the leader should pray for at least one or more assistant leader(s) to serve in the group. Several assistant leaders can be trained at the same time or over a period of time. A scriptural method for training, whether it be for leading people to Christ or for church leadership, is found in 2 Timothy 2:2:

And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.

The small group and house church becomes the basic training center for all kinds of ministry. Missionaries do not suddenly and miraculously become trained overnight and leave for foreign fields. They receive training and practice. Job training for leadership must include a hands-on situation. The first qualities to look for in an assistant are those of faithfulness, humility, and the willingness to serve. In fact, in many parts of the world, the only type of church that exists is small group ministry and house church, making it paramount for missionaries to experience small group and or house church ministry as a vital part of their missionary training.

Throughout the past few years we have found three basic types of assistant leaders in small groups and house churches: developmental assistant leaders, perpetual assistant leaders, and catalyst assistant leaders. Here is a brief definition for each type of assistant leader.

1.Developmental--those being trained for future leadership. Jesus had twelve assistants, but He seemed to be training Peter as His chief assistant.

2.Perpetual--someone who is not a potential primary leader; however, when a small group or house church multiplies, this assistant leader gives a sense of stability and continuity to one of the new groups. This person may always serve in a supportive role and not ever be called to be a primary small group or house church leader.

3.Catalyst--someone in church leadership; a person who has a "fivefold ministry gift” or a person who serves as a supported staff person in a church or ministry who is a part of the small group or house church. This person may not be able to take an active role in leadership due to traveling ministry or the responsibility to minister at other small groups or churches. However, this individual proves to be very supportive to the small group or house church leader and is an excellent resource and example of Christ's love within the group.

Process of Confirming New Assistant Leaders

When a small group or house church leader senses that a certain person in the group (let's say Jess) would make an excellent assistant leader, he should initially communicate with his spiritual overseer and other leaders in the group about the possibility of adding a new assistant to help with small group or house church responsibilities. When it is clear after prayer that Jess would be a wise choice, Jess is asked to pray about the possibility of being involved in leadership in the future. If she is married, she and her spouse should be in agreement as well. After Jess is assured that God is calling her and there is a sense of general confirmation from the group, a commissioning service may be planned. Jess is commissioned through the laying on of hands, with prayer from the small group members and someone representing the local church or house church leadership. If any of the local pastors cannot be involved in the commissioning, it is advantageous for those who are absent to make personal contact with Jess to affirm her in her new role.

Assistant Leader's Responsibility to the Leader

Jess's new responsibility as an assistant leader not only involves praying with, but also for, the small group or house church leader to encourage him in his call. She will serve the small group or house church leader in any way she can so that the group is a successful one--that is, one in which people are coming to Christ and being discipled. In the absence of the leader, she will give leadership to the group and look for ways to assist the leader by praying with people, discipling, encouraging, and serving in practical ways. An assistant leader will also bring to the leader's attention areas of concern: potential problems, needs, or "blind spots.”

Assistant Cell Leader's Responsibility to Those in the Small Group or House Church

In addition to serving her small group or house church leader, Jess, the assistant, will diligently pray for those in her group. She also helps the leader to contact individuals regularly by phone, texting, email, or in person to comfort, strengthen, and encourage them, giving special oversight and time to the one(s) they are discipling. Some practical ways of serving may include providing rides to meetings as needed, giving group information to members, and giving special care to new believers.

Having a Pastor's Heart

During the early years of DOVE, we called each small group leader the "pastor” of his small group. We have come to believe it was a mistake for us to do that. A small group leader must always be willing to serve those in his group through prayer, encouragement, and relationship; however, he may or may not have the gifting of a pastor. Some leaders are gifted administrators, others are evangelists, others are teachers, and so on.

When we called small group leaders "pastors,” some of them got overwhelmed and quit. Others, because of their traditional understanding of the word "pastor,” felt like they should have a ministerial license to be a small group leader.

We believe we should call the leaders what they really are. If they are small group leaders, then we should call them that. If they lead a house church, call them house church leaders. In actuality, a small group leader seems to be serving in a deacon-type role. Deacons are ministers (servants to the Body of Christ). If we see them as small group shepherds, then we should call them that. We just need to be sure that the terminology that is used is clearly articulating the vision that the Lord has given to us.

Again, the small group leader is not necessarily expected to be the pastor. He may have some pastoral gifts but should only respond to situations according to his faith. Some small group leaders have a pastoral gift within them and perhaps will be used as pastors with greater spiritual responsibilities in the future. Usually in house churches, the house church leader takes more of a pastoral role, but the house church network leadership is available to assist them in their role of leadership at any time.

On the other hand, every small group or house church leader needs to have a pastor's heart. A person with a pastor's heart has a desire to serve a group of people through prayer, regular encouragement, and practical service, although it does not mean he has the final pastoral responsibility.

A teenager might "mother” her younger brother or sister, but that does not make her the natural mother. Later on, she will be a mother and have her own children. This same principle applies to those who are "pastoring” as small group leaders in a cell-based church. Small group leaders are serving alongside the local pastors and others in leadership in their local area so that every believer can and will be involved in ministering to others.

Set the Example

In the small group or house church setting, the enemy will lie to us at times and tell us that we cannot really help others because we have not "been there.” Was Jesus ever on drugs or alcohol? Was He ever divorced? No, of course not, and yet He has provided for us a wonderful example. Regardless of our life experiences, we can pray and trust the living God and see the Lord do miracles among us.

You can set the example by sharing your own personal needs and problems with those in your group. The Bible tells us in
2 Corinthians 12:9 that we should boast in our weaknesses so that the power of Christ may rest upon us. When we are open about areas of struggle that we've had and explain how the Lord has given us grace to be victorious, our transparency deters others from placing us on a pedestal. When people put us on a pedestal, we open ourselves to the enemy in the area of pride. People we are serving feel as though they can never attain our level of spirituality, which is totally untrue.

We can minister most effectively by showing the people in our small group or house church the Word of God rather than by giving them our own opinions. If you don't have the answer, don't fake it. Tell them honestly that you don't know, but you will find the answer. That's why God provided spiritual overseers and pastors and other ministry gifts in the Body of Christ.

Remember, the Word of God gives us spiritual authority. Also, your testimony is a powerful tool that the Lord can use to encourage His people in your group. Your testimony is simply relating what God has done in your life in the past, what He is doing in your life now, and what you believe God is going to do in the future.

Leaders should not give strong advice or correction to a person they do not know very well (unless they are clearly led by the Holy Spirit). Much patience is needed before attempting to correct someone's faults. Simply continue to love and care for them, and many times they initiate the desire for advice and help. They will see in you an example of how they themselves want to become.

True leaders will take time--all the time that is necessary--to build good, trusting relationships with people. We must build relationships not only within the setting of the small group or house church meeting, but outside the meeting as well. Through informal occasions spent in social interaction outside of the meeting context, the time will eventually come when you will feel free to speak into the lives of the people in your group because of the trust that has been established. If you don't have a relationship with the people in your group, it will be very difficult for them to receive advice or correction from you.

Small group and house church leaders have no interest in playing church. When they meet together their goal is to interact in depth with God and each other. But even within small group dynamics, there is a need for strategy and guidelines when believers meet collectively. In the next chapter we will look at general guidelines as we allow Christ to express Himself at our meetings.

Questions for Practical Application

1.Describe the basic job description of a small group or house church leader.

2.In what ways might a leader struggle with control in the small group or house church?

3.List several ways in which a leader is limited in his leadership role.

4.List some ways a leader can give on-the-job training to others.

Chapter 10

1. Dr. Paul Yonggi Cho, Successful Home Cell Groups (Plainfield, NJ: Logos International, 1981), 90, 93-94.

2. Small Groups 101 and Small Groups 201 audio and DVD is available at www.h2hp.com

3. "Growing 21st-Century House Churches and Micro Churches Seminar,” presenter Larry Kreider. Churches interested in hosting a seminar may call 1-800-848-5892.

4. For more information on the DOVE Leadership and Ministry School, go to www.dcfi.org/training