The pastor is at the centre. If he is good the church gets very large. Most people want to stay close to the pastor even when they are mature.

Those who are sent out are not the most mature or the most experienced. They go to Bible College, which is an unreal (but very supportive) experience. They are then sent, usually alone, to start a new church. Sending an inexperienced couple from a hothouse environment out alone to start a new church is a cruel torture.

Note the following:

1. The boundaries are fluffy.
2. This is really a pyramid. The pyramid is the world’s form of leadership.
3. Potential pastors have no where to go in the church. They cannot fulfil their calling as there is already a pastor there (some may be content being a youth pastor).
4. Many potential pastors will tend to become critical. They will see hurt people not being healed. They will gather these to themselves, as is natural for a pastor. If care is not taken this can lead to a split (the Absalom phenomenon).
5. The pastor says it is tough at the centre (harder than being sent out). He is right; it is because he is surrounded by bored, purposeless, proud, critical, and often lazy Christians. (In the apostolic model described above, there is always a challenge because people are moving out, and others have to rise up).
6. The person being sent often doesn’t have a strong relationship with the Pastor. Often the pastor, while recognising their talents, will have found them to be a pain or a threat, so he is glad to see them go. He considers it will be good for them to get the rough corners knocked off them.
7. Those sent are generally sent a long way. If they are too close, they will be seen as competition.
8. This means that they don’t get much support, so many don’t succeed.
9. Some are sent overseas as missionaries (M). If they have not had experience in building a church, then this is risky.

What’s the difference in this version of the diagram?

The top pastor has become a bishop (B). Many evangelical Christians would reject an episcopal form of government. Yet many of the top church leaders today, are only one or two generations away from becoming bishops. They already have many of the functions and powers of a bishop; they just do not have the name.

The top pastor has also become the head shepherd. However, Jesus is the head shepherd. No one should take his place.

The cell church model is a step forward. It recognises the power of multiplication and discipleship. However, it does not allow for the principle of plurality of leadership or for the ascension ministries. A very hierarchical model of leadership is still required. This is a limitation.

Home groups are only half an answer