| Why
Is "Cell" and "House" Ministry Needed?
Cell
Ministry Empowers
Christians
are commanded to seek the lost and to make disciples. We reach
the lost best by touching lives relationally in the spheres
of our life contacts and activities. A cell church empowers
the people through natural, relational structures to both
evangelize and disciple as genuine ministers.
Cell
Ministry Nurtures
Every
human being longs to be loved, to be needed, and to belong.
But the church, as we see it today, has become program-based. The
early church, in contrast, was people-based. People yearn
to feel the touch of God. But God has ordained that His church...you
and I...should be His hand extended. That can only take place in intimate fellowship where trust fosters vulnerability.
What
Benefits Flow from "Cell" Ministry?
The
"cell" church shifts the face of ministry from
the church building back to the home.
The
"cell" church shifts the focus of ministry from
programs back to people.
The
"cell" church shifts the function of ministry
from pastor to people. It provides the ultimate freedom
and fulfillment for pastor and people alike, while fulfilling
our Great Commission.
What
is a Cell?
The
cell in the human body is the basic unit of life. In the same
way, the "cell" group is
the "basic Christian Community".
A cell
group is composed generally of five to fifteen Christians
who are in covenant commitment to one another, working out
their salvation together in fellowship, prayer, and breaking
of bread from house to house, while reaching out to unbelievers.
The purpose
of the cell group is to care for one another and to become
disciples and leaders who, in turn, make more disciples. This
is accomplished through prayer, exhortation, teaching for
application rather than information, example, and outreach.
A properly functioning cell enables each participant to be
and become all God would have us to be. In turn, properly
functioning cells compose and maintain a healthy Body.
How
Do "Cell" Groups Differ From...Small Groups, Bible
Study Groups, Support Groups, and Care Groups?
A
cell group combines the best features of all other common
group experience
coupled with active outreach and discipleship. This fosters
spiritual maturity, empowering people to spiritual leadership.
It also leads to a vigorous body that reproduces itself rapidly
rather than becoming ingrown.
What
Is a Cell Leader?
A
cell leader is a facilitator of
evangelism and body-life ministry in a cell group. A cell
leader guides, teaches, prays, cares, exhorts, by word and
example. The cell leader trains, encourages, declares vision
and provokes to love and good works.
The
cell leader is a discipler, always seeking to duplicate,
even to replace himself for the building of the Body and expansion
of the Kingdom. The cell leader is, in fact, a pastor of a
basic Christian community...all without seminary training.
Who
Leads Cell Leaders?
The
Pastor/Shepherd
In the
early days of a cell-based congregation, a single pastor or
shepherd will oversee and guide cell group development. The
pastor is a facilitator of discipleship in establishing and
guiding cells and cell leaders. The
pastor's primary job is to develop and disciple cell leadership.
The
Section Leader
As
cells multiply, section leaders assume pastoral or discipleship
facilitating roles, guiding and encouraging cell leaders under
the oversight of the "head" or pastors of the local
congregation. "Headship", at all levels, is not
"lording it over the flock" but serving and equipping
every man and woman to "do the work of the ministry."
Is
"Cell" Ministry A" Cult"?
Cell
group ministry changes our "methods" and mind-set
for ministry, but not our "message." A "cult"
is a cult because it modifies the Gospel message in some way.
Cell ministry is bringing the New
Testament method of "doing church" into the 21st
Century. It is and will be "The Future Church"
as Christ prepares His Bride, The Church, for His Second Coming.
Why
Become a Cell or House Church?
1.
It is Biblical!
We
are the temple of God. We are "living stones"
becoming a holy dwelling where God lives.
The
early church had no buildings for three centuries - the
time of its most rapid growth! It often met in halls for
teaching and celebrations, but the life of the church was
nurtured in homes.
Every
day they continued to meet together in the temple courts.
They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad
and sincere hearts... (Acts 2:46). Day after day, in the
temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped
teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the
Christ (Acts 5:42).
2.
It is Natural
If "Home
is where the heart is," ministry should naturally issue
from the home where our hearts and lives are centered? Should
the heart of hospitality be removed from the family home
that breeds the warmth and love of Christ?
3.
It is Home-Centered
The
New Testament Church had its origin in the homes of believers.
Prayer meetings were held. Breaking bread became central
to remembering the Lord.
Biblical
mandate teaches the home is the place where children are
taught and trained. "You shall teach these words to
your children, speaking of them when you sit in your house,
when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you
rise up. And you shall write them on the doorposts of your
house and on your gates" (Deuteronomy 11:19, 20).
4. It Fulfills Fundamental Needs
- There
are many points to enter the Body.
- Leaders
are developed naturally.
- Accountability
is fostered relationally.
- Homes
multiply ministry centers to hold the coming harvest of
souls.
- The
"underground church" is readied for difficult
times, even persecution.
- Homes
are recaptured for Christ.
- Inner
cities are reclaimed with indigenous cells.
Presented By...
SAVE AMERICA
Ministries
P.O. Box 70879 . Richmond, VA 23255
(804) 754-1822 . (804) 754-1823 FAX . www.saveus.org |
