How do you identify New Cell Leaders?

We apply the following standards from the Bible:

2 Timothy 2:2-4
“And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier”.

1 Timothy 3:8-13
“Likewise deacons must be reverent, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy for money, holding the mystery of the faith with a pure conscience. But let these also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons, being found blameless. Likewise their wives must be reverent, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things. Let deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a good standing and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus”.

God in His Word has given a few basic guidelines for leadership and it is wise to follow His counsel in the matter of discerning and choosing prospective Cell Leaders. Although everyone has the potential to become a Leader, not all rise to the challenge.

In the above passage of scripture we see certain scriptural qualifications for a Leader.

1. He must first have seen leadership in action so that he has a rolemodel to follow. The Cell Leader is the role model for the Intern to follow.
2. Secondly he must be found faithful and then able. The key word here is faithfulness first and then ability. Not all able people are faithful, but we know that God will make faithful people able because He honours faithfulness, as it is His character to do so.
3. 2 Timothy 2:4 speaks of a man whose vision is for the Kingdom of God and he is not distracted by worldly things, for this is pleasing to God. As children of God we all seek to please Him and serve Him to the best of our ability.
4. A Leader must be a person of faith knowing that he is an example to others who will follow his example.
5. A potential Cell Leader must be born-again and Spirit-filled, bearing a good report among his peers. He and his wife must not be known as slanderers and gossipers but must be fruitful in all good works.
6. There must be evidence of holy and righteous living, yielding all areas of their lives to the Lord and having a good and pure conscience. Acts 6:3 “Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business”.
7. A Leader must not be given to drinking and swearing so that the world can tell him apart from themselves.
8. A Leader must not have a reputation of having had many wives, or husbands (if the Cell Leader is a woman) and he must rule his home well and with the authority that God has given him.
9. Potential Leaders must be faithful in the house of God and attend all or as many celebrations as is possible. It is during these meetings that God is continuously unfolding His revelations and plans for His church and to neglect attendance is to be out of touch with where the Lord is taking His church.
10. Leaders must be friendly, warm, hospitable and willing to serve.
11. Successful Leaders must be able to effectively raise and train Interns.
12. Leaders must be committed. It is not how you start the race, but how you finish.