Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #520669 in Books
• Published on: 2007-03
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 276 pages

Customer Reviews

Provocative, visionary, counter-cultural, inspired!
The model of the church today stands in stark contrast to the church of the New Testament. In his new book, Scott Boren is calling for a new restoration--a restoration of the "relational way" that is at the very heart of God and His design for His church. The ideas Boren proposes are revolutionary within our culture; indeed they are counter-cultural, which is exactly what he intends and proposes in this book.

I have been an avid reader of books on community, small groups, church growth, discipleship, and leadership for many years. It would not be an overstatement to say that this is the most provocative, visionary, thought-provoking book I've ever read. It is obviously inspired. Every pastor involved in small group ministry (or not involved yet) needs to read it. I've been thinking and writing about some of this stuff for several years, so I am in alignment with Scott's propositions, but he has put this in ways I had not yet considered. I've already ordered ten copies for our church leadership team.

The book identifies ten assumptions that we as church leaders often make as we start or build our small group ministries. Boren categorizes these as "structural myths" that have quietly crept into how we think and act. In my ministry, I have either believed these myths or, even if I knew them to not necessarily be true, I organized ministry according to them. As I read Boren's book, I think to myself that I should have known better. But as Boren says, they have become such a subtle part of our "operational system" that until we read a book like this, we assume them to be true. Boren then provides a relational truth in opposition to each structural myth.

I really like how Boren presents each chapter. He begins with Scripture, presenting strong, sound theology to the relational truth. Then in the rest of the chapter, he provides practical application in accordance with those theological truths. The way Boren has organized this book has helped me to first listen to God speak on each subject and then to consider how I might apply these truths in my situation. I like that. This book has stimulated my imagination, and I'm hoping it will do the same for other leaders in our church as well. It is sure to begin a dialogue that could be transformational for God's church where I serve and you serve.

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Reviewer: Michael C. Mack is a small groups pastor, founder of an online SmallGroups ministry, and author of I'm a Leader...Now What?: How to Guide an Effective Small Group and Leading from the Heart: A Cell Leader's Guide to Passionate Ministry among others.

An Editor's Review
I had the priviledge of editing this book and working with the author over the course of a couple of years as he wrote the chapters you will soon read. The greatest feature of this book is that it provides a sound theological exegesis for a relationally-based church like no other book in print possesses. Scott Boren has also done an excellent job of exposing common myths about small group and cell group-based ministry. These myths are commonly held (and heavily preached) by a number of existing "experts" in the field of small group ministry, which is sure to be illuminating reading for those who keep abreast of what's being taught about small group ministry.

The first part of each chapter is deeply theological and the last part is filled with practical application. I love the way Scott takes the Word and applies it to the myth, then reveals what he calls the "relational way" to approach each issue, such as group oversight, discipleship, evangelism, and leadership development, just to name a few.

With each revision I reviewed, I became more inspired to pastor a relational church, one where people were never considered a cog in a giant clockworks of small groups, but as individuals with gifts, talents and opportunities to serve God on a team.

If I didn't have my complimentary editor's copy on my bookshelf, I'd have paid retail to have this book in my library. I have already recommended it to a number of my colleages and church planters, and I'd be the first person to tell you that if you are planning to launch a small group ministry in your church or your small groups are simply not growing the way you think they should be, this book should be on your list as a "must-read-soon."

Is your cell church struggling?
As the pastor of a young cell church, I found this book helpful and encouraging. Ours is probably one of many cell churches that started pretty well, but our growth is slow and recently we have been struggling. Some books I have read offer steps and principles that make cell churches sound easy. Other books I've read highlight the very successful cell churches, and when I compare our church to those it is easy to get discouraged! Scott Boren does a good job of honestly sharing the struggles he has experienced in cell church ministry. He does not give easy answers, but rather emphasizes that a cell church must be built relationally, and not built via formulas. He gives helpful insights as one who has tasted both failure and success. I especially resonated with the final chapter that speaks about the "dark night" of the cell church, when things are at a low ebb and you are tempted to give up. Most churches go through such a stage, and some do quit, while others come through this valley experience with greater faith, brokeness and dependence on the Lord. The book is not an easy read, and it may have a limitted appeal. But if you are in a leadership position in a cell church, I believe you will find helpful insights in this book.