Strategy For Planting a Youth Congregation in Pico Union

 Preface
    This is a cursory explanation of some of what this course has made me think about.  Much more thought needs to go into this.

Introduction
        In the Latino immigrant neighborhood of Pico Union, there is a great need for the expression the church among the youth culture.  The youth have developed cultural and language barriers to the church of their parents and yet cannot relate to the church of young, middle-class America.  Because there is such diversity among the young Latino population among first generation immigrants, 1.5 and 1.25 generation immigrants, it is essential that we allow churches to be formed that provides a relevant and real community where growth is possible.  In this paper, I will propose a strategy of planting a cell church to reach this population.  Cell groups will provide a nurturing environment for those of like backgrounds while congregations and celebrations will provide environments of unity amidst diversity.

Cells
          Each cell would be led by a young peer.  These leaders will be selected based on their example in Christian lifestyle (I Timothy 4:12), a willingness to learn (II Timothy 2:14-16), a servant attitude (Phillipians 2:1-11), the ability to gather others (Acts 6:3), availability (Mark 1:17-18), and vision (Proverbs 28:16).  The cells will range in size from 5-12 young people and will split when they grow larger and the timing is right.  Each leader will select an “intern” from among their group to train as an apprentice.
     The cells will contain elements of Fellowship, Worship, the Word, and Witness.  They will last for a semester (Fall, Spring, Summer) as that is a good length of time for students and a schedule they are used to.  An adult coach will oversee 5 cells.  This coach will meet weekly in a discipleship group with his 5 leaders.  He will mentor them in how to run their meetings, but will not be present at the meetings.  A pastor will then oversee the coaches.  He and the coaches will work to provide curriculum and ideas for the cell meetings.

Congregation
           Cell groups will gather together often formally and informally with those in other cells.  There are many forms that this may take.  Retreats will be planned both for leaders and for all youth.  Larger groups may gather to do outreaches at high schools or among affinity groups.  Socials and “fun” events will be planned especially as cells are getting started.  After-school tutoring, sports, music and other “development” activities will be gathering places for Christians and non-Christians alike (more below).

Celebration
         Once a week, all cells will gather for a city-wide celebration meeting.  This will not be “church”, but a time to celebrate and be together.  The Word will be preached according to the needs of the cells based on the feed back of coaches.  Opportunity will be given for decisions and converts will be counseled by a cell leader or member and integrated into a cell group 

Target Groups
      Cell groups will form that come from a certain affinity group.  In planting this church, we will focus first on students from Belmont High School which serves the Pico Union/Westlake neighborhood.  More specifically, we will proclaim the Gospel and reach out to specific groups on campus as if they were different “villages” to get a feel for where the Lord is working.  We will attempt to start cell groups among students from the football team for example.  We will then encourage the leader to facilitate a time to develop a mission statement with their cell which would probably involve reaching other students on the football team.  Eventually, students from many different “target” groups would be a part of cells working to reach their peers (See diagram).

Need For Adaptation to Urban Poor Setting
       It has been my experience in working with urban poor youth in Los Angeles that there is a need for multiple contacts with youth each week.  As new believers they are so easily influenced and often so damaged that it takes a consistent, loving, nurturing environment to develop discipline and to grow in one’s relationship with God.  Therefore, I think it will be important to combine this cell group model with different forms of holistic development ministry.  Ideally, the students themselves would design these ministries according to the needs of those around them.
      Possibilities for such development would be an evening drop-in center with a computer lab, tutors and mentors, or different sports or music opportunities.  Development work is very important because of the state of the church in LA.  The church is here, but the kingdom has certainly not come in our communities.  It will therefore be important to teach the youth about the kingdom and the need for holistic development and to empower them initiate works.

Leadership Development
    Young people will be able to grow through the following leadership stages:

1.  Member of a cell
2.  In charge of a certain part of the cell group (i.e. Worship)
3.  Cell intern
4.  Cell leader
5.  Development project leadership team
6.  Development project leader

 Long-Term Strategy
    A similar movement could begin on other high school campuses.  Roosevelt, Manual Arts, Hollywood and Fairfax High Schools surrounding downtown could celebrate together with the congregation at Belmont forming a downtown youth movement.

© Viv Grigg & Urban Leadership Foundationand other materials © by various contributors & Urban Leadership Foundation,  for The Encarnacao Training Commission.  Last modified: July 2010