At this morning's Connect2Grow gathering, cell church planters:

• Discussed how the house church model is a usable model for church multiplication.
• Explored using questions for ice breakers.
• Emphasized the importance of having cell/house church members relate to each other from the heart.
• Reflected on key questions like “Which groups in Japan have dynamics that are similar to cell/house churches?”
• Talked about ways to set goals and measure progress.

Connect2Empower is a network of Japan Evangelical Missionary Association (JEMA) members connecting to grow cell churches and house churches.

At Connect2Coach's Nov. 13 meeting, JEMA members reflected on inquiry. Participants:

• Asked each other open-ended questions like "What 2 good things happened to in your ministry this month?"
• Documented their goals.
• Helped each other explore topic by saying, "Tell more about ___."
• Gave and received coaching.

Facilitated by Close the Gap Now, Connect2Coach is a network of JEMA members involved in coaching that connects to coach others.

At Connect2Empower's Sept. 19 meeting, JEMA members from 5 missions focused on the purpose and structure of annual reviews. Participants:

• Used a set of questions to coach each other.
• Reflected on annual reviews, using questions like: How can annual reviews empower? What hinders your staff from being empowered by annual reviews.
• Talked through questions/issues raised by participants?

Facilitated by Close the Gap Now, Connect2Empower is a network of JEMA members tasked with professional development that connects to empower Christian leaders and organizations.

At this morning's Connect2Grow gathering, cell church planters:

• Discussed how to structure church activities in such a way that all members participate.
• Shared ministry challenges.
• Celebrated the news of a new cell church that will start on Sept. 6.

Connect2Empower, a network of Japan Evangelical Missionary Association (JEMA) members connecting to grow cell churches and house churches, is facilitated by Close the Gap Now.

Cell church planters from 3 missions gathered at today's Connect2Grow meeting to encourage each other, reflect, share best practice, and get input on ministry challenges.

Connect2Empower, a network of JEMA members connecting to grow cell churches and house churches, is facilitated by Close the Gap Now.

At Connect2Empower's May 30 meeting, JEMA members from 6 missions focused on the power of conversation. Participants:

• Used a set of questions to coach each other.
• Reflected on the power of conversation, using questions like: What do people in your mission talk about? What satisfies/concerns you about conversations with those in your mission? How do conversations help?
• Talked through questions/issues raised by participants.

Facilitated by Close the Gap Now, Connect2Empower is a network of JEMA members tasked with professional development that connects to empower Christian leaders and organizations.

The Member Care Committee of the Japan Evangelical Missionary Association (JEMA) met this afternoon. Committee members Paul Nethercott (TEAM), Mary Esther Penner (World Venture), Faith DeLaCour (Asian Access), and Michael Essenburg (Close the Gap Now) networked, reflected on the past year, and considered what to present at JEMA's annual meeting on Feb. 19.

On January 31, several Japan Evangelical Missionary Association members interested in growing cell churches and houses churches attended Connect2Grow's first network meeting. During the meeting, participants discussed their visions and began the documentation of goals for cell/house churches.

Connect2Grow was created and is facilitated by Close the Gap Now.

At Connect2Empower's January 24 meeting, JEMA members developed work-related debriefing tools. Participants:

• Discussed current practice.
  
• Learned about the DRAW inquiry process (Define • Respond • Analyze • What's next).
  
• Watched a video on Lencioni's 3 signs of a miserable job (anonymity • irrelevance • immeasurement).
  
• Used a template to begin development of a work-related debriefing tool.

Connect2Empower was created and is facilitated by Close the Gap Now.

During the Dec. 6 COACHLIFE meeting, members networked, discussed portions of chapters 7-8 of Leadership Coaching, and watched/discussed a DVD clip on developing authentic relationships.

COACHLIFE, a community of practice facilitated by Close the Gap Now for participants and graduates of Keith Webb's coach training, will continue meetings in 2008:

• Jan. 10 (Chapters 9-10: Client's agenda/defining goals)
  
• Feb. 7 (Chapters 11-12: Listening)
  
• March 20 (Chapters 13-14: Questions)
  
• April 17 (Chapters 15-16: Taking action and support structures)
  
• May 1 (Chapter 17: Encouragement and expectations)

At Connect2Empower's November 29 meeting, members discussed the power of reflection, how to cultivate reflection within their mission organizations, and procedures and tools their organizations use.

During its Jan. 24 meeting, Connect2Empower's members will design debriefing tools that address work-related topics. Started by Close the Gap Now, Connect2Empower is a community of practice for Tokyo-based missionaries interested in member care and professional development.