Traffic Jams and Leadership Building
Tuesday, October 13, 2009


We did something different in cell group this week.  We didn't have our usual bible study.  In fact, we didn't crack a bible open at all.  (Before you grab the pitchforks, remember that "cell group" is not "bible study."   Though sometimes they go hand in hand, there is more to a cell group than just that. 

So this week we did a little stealth leadership training.   The weapon of choice was a nifty little game called "Traffic Jam."   Traffic Jam works like this:  you set up two groups of four, and line up nine chairs.   You seat each group at the end so it looks like this:

           A  B  C  D  [empty]   W X Y Z


Here are the rules.   Each group has to move to the opposide side.  Only one person can move at a time, and only to the next empty seat.  You can only "jump over" someone coming in the opposite direction, and only jump one person.   And no talking. 

They did accomplish it, eventually.  Then I laid some more rules on them:

You have to wind up in the same order you started, but on the opposite side.   And you have to accomplish it in 24 moves.  So really, they did not accomplish the desired result.

In other words, the result must be:

      W X Y Z  [empty]  A B C D
  
After 50 moves, they still could not do it.  So I told them that now they could talk.   There was a lot of yelling and ordering going on, but after 50 moves they still didn't accomplish much.

So I told them that they could select a leader, and only that leader could speak.   They got closer this time - a lot closer.  But still, no joy.

Then I told them that I would be their leader, and I would direct them.   Since I had the solution written down, it was easy - done in 24 moves exactly!  

One kid asked me - what was the point?    "I don't know." I said.  "What happened?"

First, there were no clear directions  - FAIL!!!

Then there were directions, but no communication  - FAIL!!!

Then there was communication, but no organization.  Just noise.  - FAIL!!!

Then there was organization, but no plan.   -- FAIL!!!

Finally, there was a leader with a vision, with authority, and with a plan   - SUCCESS!!!



What can your leadership team learn from this example???

Posted byMichael J Mahoney at 7:54 AM 1 comments  

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Cell October 2 - Rejection
Monday, October 5, 2009

Jacob has one of the most incredible stories in the entire Old Testament.  Born the younger of twin brothers, the Bible tells us he came out holding the heel of his older brother, Esau.  In fact, one meaning of Jacob's name is "leg-puller."   This has kind of a dual meaning, as it can be taken literally, or figuratively.  (A joker, a prankster.)  Another meaning is "supplanter" or "one who takes the place of."

While Esau was strong and rugged, Jacob was small and fair.  He preferred to spend time in the house with his mother.  This led to Esau becoming the favorite of their father, Isaac.  Jacob felt this rejection all his life.

Jacob was a trickster.  He once tricked Esau out of his birthright for a bowl of soup.  He also tricked Isaac (in Gen 27) into giving him Esau's blessing.  Now Esau was mad, and threatened to kill Jacob once Isaac had died.  Jacob, of course, ran away. 

He met his mother's brother Laban, and fell in love with his daughter Rachel.  Rachel was beautiful!  Laban also had an older daughter, Leah, who was not.  After having to work for seven years for Rachel's hand, Jacob was tricked into marrying Leah.  Eventually, he gained the right to marry Rachel as well. 

Now, Jacob himself rejected Leah, and she felt hated.  Jacob was showing her the same rejection that he had received! So God stepped in - He made it so only Leah could have children at first.



Jacob went through a lot in the next few years.  He tricked Laban out of some of his flock, and Laban grew angry as well.  Eventually Jacob left and wanted to go back home, but found out Esau was near, with an army of 400 men! Afraid, Jacob sent his family on, while he waited for Esau, and prayed to God.  Eventually, he met a strange man who wrestled with him all night.  Jacob demanded a blessing from the man, who told him from this day forth, he would be called Israel, which means "one who struggles with God."  That "man" was actually God's own angel!! Jacob named that place Peniel.

Jacob soon met Esau, who instead of trying to kill him, embraced his brother warmly.  Jacob grew old, and became one of the fathers of the Hebrews, and of Christianity. 

Posted byMichael J Mahoney at 8:44 AM 0 comments  

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