Cell Groups - the background principles
WHY ARE THEY CALLED ‘CELLS’
As part of our review process, completed earlier this year, both Olton and Hobs Moat United Reformed Churches committed to developing a network of small groups, (and now Christ Church are taking part as well, which is great news). Cell Church is a well-established model of these groups, and whilst the notion of ‘cell’ might conjure up certain images, Cell Groups are based on a biological cell.
When the trial group met for the first time in October we spent some time reflecting on what these groups are not. They are not the traditional home or house group we might have been used to. Why? Because as with a living cell, it will grow and eventually, given the right environment. divide and so become two groups. Yes the groups meet for mutual support, prayer and bible study, mutual encouragement in discipleship, but they are also encouraged to give real practical consideration to mission and growth of itself, So each Cell will give time to consider how it might draw people in to itself from our wider circle of connections, through prayer and practical events, thereby growing the group until it reaches a size when it is best that it in fact divides.
Cells in the body:-
are living and life-giving
are small and efficient
they co-operate and serve
they need each other to function properly
they share the same ingredients
they grow and multiply.
Home groups in the traditional model can, no matter how we might not see it or desire it, very quickly become fixed closed groups, making it difficult for others to join. Whereas Cells are groups that ‘Do Evangelism as opposed to just talking about it’, allowing people to encounter Jesus, thus expecting a release of his presence and power among his people. Each Cell Group has a life expectancy, and as we learn and share together the groups will be reshaped, and reformed. In Lent next year we hope to set up several Cell Groups for the 5 weeks of Lent, studying the film,’ The Kings Speech’, with a launch service on Ash Wednesday and the chance celebrate our journey together at a joint service on Palm Sunday at Hobs Moat. The groups will then meet monthly, although there is nothing stop them getting together more often if they wish.
There is a sense in which what you call these groups does not matter, but the framework under which they are established does.
Neil
As part of our review process, completed earlier this year, both Olton and Hobs Moat United Reformed Churches committed to developing a network of small groups, (and now Christ Church are taking part as well, which is great news). Cell Church is a well-established model of these groups, and whilst the notion of ‘cell’ might conjure up certain images, Cell Groups are based on a biological cell.
When the trial group met for the first time in October we spent some time reflecting on what these groups are not. They are not the traditional home or house group we might have been used to. Why? Because as with a living cell, it will grow and eventually, given the right environment. divide and so become two groups. Yes the groups meet for mutual support, prayer and bible study, mutual encouragement in discipleship, but they are also encouraged to give real practical consideration to mission and growth of itself, So each Cell will give time to consider how it might draw people in to itself from our wider circle of connections, through prayer and practical events, thereby growing the group until it reaches a size when it is best that it in fact divides.
Cells in the body:-
are living and life-giving
are small and efficient
they co-operate and serve
they need each other to function properly
they share the same ingredients
they grow and multiply.
Home groups in the traditional model can, no matter how we might not see it or desire it, very quickly become fixed closed groups, making it difficult for others to join. Whereas Cells are groups that ‘Do Evangelism as opposed to just talking about it’, allowing people to encounter Jesus, thus expecting a release of his presence and power among his people. Each Cell Group has a life expectancy, and as we learn and share together the groups will be reshaped, and reformed. In Lent next year we hope to set up several Cell Groups for the 5 weeks of Lent, studying the film,’ The Kings Speech’, with a launch service on Ash Wednesday and the chance celebrate our journey together at a joint service on Palm Sunday at Hobs Moat. The groups will then meet monthly, although there is nothing stop them getting together more often if they wish.
There is a sense in which what you call these groups does not matter, but the framework under which they are established does.
Neil