THE CELL GROUP LEADER

Who should be the leader of the cell group?

Although every believer is a potential leader, not everyone should lead a CG. Spiritual leadership is a gift
from God. Natural abilities must be considered. Spirituality must be weighed even more.

Leaders are made, not born. They are molded from people who can accept responsibility and do it well.
God gives the privilege of leadership on the shoulders of responsible men and women. Responsible
people, therefore, should be picked out and groomed for leadership.

QUALIFICATIONS ROLE OF A CELL GROUP LEADER

1. To lead is to be a M ________. The cell group leader is usually appointed

 Provides a dynamic example of Christ-
centered life.
 Sets the pace in openness and honesty, in
commitment and dedication to Christ and to
one another.
2. To lead is to be a S __________.
 Quick to help others
 Not a boss but a shepherd who leads, feeds
and protects his flock.
 Conscious that he is just a steward and that
he is accountable to God for these lives that
had been entrusted to him.
3. To lead is to be a F ____________.
 Willing to listen and understand.
 Does not gloat over his position.
 Not a “professional” but personal in his
dealings
4. To lead is to be a F_______-L ________.
 Shares his life not just in victories but his
weaknesses as well.
 Willing to accept help from members.
 Sees them as his equal before the throne of
grace.
by the executive committee or the officers of the
fellowship. In many cases, CG members choose
their leader. Sometimes, CG leadership is shared by
two or three members, each one exercising
leadership in the area in which each is gifted.
Responsibilities include:
1. Initiating and guiding in goal-setting,
program-planning and evaluation.
2. Encouraging and counseling individual
members.
3. Training an assistant leader to help with the
future growth of the group.
4. Scouting gifts and talents from among his
members and encouraging their use and
development for the edification of the group.
 LEADERSHIP BY FUNCTIONS

The usual practice in different groups is to limit the concept of leadership to certain positions
only. What happens is that when this system of formal leadership fails, then the group collapses as well.
When the elected CG leader performs poorly, then the CG deteriorates.
For a group to perform effectively, certain kinds of functions must be performed by the members
of the group.

TASK FUNCTIONS are those functions that relate directly to the task, project or problem that
the group is working on and the goal the CG is working towards achieving.

Task Function s Behavior

_____1. Initiating, Contributing a. “Well according to Webster’s

Suggests or proposes new ideas or alternative way of Dictionary..” ; “But statistics
regarding the group problem or goal.
show that…”
_____2. Information or Opinion Seeking b. “So far, we’ve discussed
Asks for clarifications or suggestion or information to
about…” ; “How does that help us
the problem or project being discussed.
get to our goal?”
_____3. Information or Opinion Giving
Offers information, facts or generalizations which are c. “Ok, you guys, here’s our agenda
the authoritative views or relates to his own experience in for today’s meeting.” ; “Here’s
relation to the group task or activity. your copy of the text for our
_____4. Elaborating, Clarifying discussion last week.”
Elaborates suggestions through examples or d. “As I remember, we committed
developed meanings, tries to anticipate and examine ourselves to…” ; “Everytime we
effectiveness or consequences. meet, we should remind each
_____5. Orientating, Summarizing, Evaluating other…”
Defines the position of the CG with respect to its goals e. “Hey, I’ve got an idea! Why don’t
by summarizing what has occurred. we…” ; “That idea sounds great!
_____6. Standard Setting How about looking at in in another
Expresses standards the group should attempt to meet angle?”
or applies the standard in evaluating the groups’ progress.
f. “What this probably means or
______7. Acting as Procedural Technician
implies is that…” ; “Ang ibig lang
Expedites accomplishments of the group by doing
things for the group performing routine tasks, seeing that
sabihin n’yan ay…”
things are in order, keeping a record of the proceedings, g. “What do you guys think?” ; “How
writing down suggestions, ideas, etc. do you feel about that?
 MAINTENANCE FUNCTIONS relate more directly to the process, keeping the group together
as effective problem-solving unit and working towards the achievement of the goal.

Maintenance Functions Behavior

_____1. Supporting, Encouraging a. “Hey, take it easy. Cool

Encourages others to participate, offer suggestions, submits lang kayo! Let’s look at the
ideas. Praises when appropriate, shows appreciation for situation more objectively
contribution even if he disagrees with the content. Displays and try to agree on
warmth and acceptance towards the group. something.”
_____2. Gate-keeping, Expediting
Attempts to keep communication channels open by insuring b. “Brilliant! Magaling
that everyone is heard and is given the chance to participate. ang suggestion mo! I think
_____3. Harmonizing, Compromising it’ll work for our CG. What
Mediates disagreements between or among other members; do you think? As for me, I
attempts to reconcile differences and relieve tension in think we can do it!”
conflicts.
_____4. Observing and Providing Feedback
c. “It seems to me that
Observes group process and feeds this information into the
group for evaluation of its effectiveness as a working team.
we’ve been going in this
Expresses his perceptions, reactions and feelings. direction when we should be
_____5. Tension Reducing going that way…”
Plays at the appropriate time, jokes, calls for coffee break, etc.,
to reduce tension to allow time for tempers to cool. d. “Why don’t we all take
a break? Anyone for coffee?
Tea? Or me? Hehehe!”

e. “Ok, we’ve heard from

some of us. Let’s ask the
others what they’ve got to
say.”

Groups that exercise only maintenance function s might develop a country clubbish, happy
operation initially but certainly low-producing.
Groups that survive and achieve much are those whose members perform both functions.
Applying the concept of group leadership therefore, means that any member of the cell group can
do any functions discussed earlier. In this sense, all CG members are potential leaders in their own rights;
each is valuable for the group to enjoy their life together to achieve their agreed goals.
However, there are function which do not help the group at all but instead cause chaos.

SELF-ORIENTED FUNCTIONS should be identified in the group and should be stopped or

avoided by all means.

1. FOLLOWING.
Goes along with the movement of the group, more or less
passively agreeing and accepting ideas and suggestions of others,
but contributing little or nothing. Acts more as a spectator than a
participant.
2. AGGRESSING.
Attempts to reduce the status of others: belittles, disapproves,