What is a Cell Church?
A Cell is a small unit of
protoplasm, usually with a nucleus and an enclosing membrane. Cells are the
basic building blocks of life. A Cell Church is comprised of a small nucleus of
people, which gather around the presence of the risen Lord, usually in a home
setting.
As the nucleus grows it multiplies and
forms new cells. A Cell church is more like a living organism than an
institution. It is dynamic not static.
It does not take pleasure in sitting on the sidelines and watching
professionals do ministry but mobilizes every disciple for the cause of Christ.
The Cell organism recognizes everyone�s gifts and encourages each person to
nurture a network of loving relationships so as to share God�s goodness with
others. The primary equipping and mobilizing of individuals takes place in the
Cells, which are comprised of 4 to 15 people each. Within the Cell, people are
trained as servant leaders and are held accountable to nurture their network of
contacts so that new disciples are made. As we hold one another accountable to
make a difference in the lives of others, a sense of destiny and purpose
develops. Our new identity as redemptive people is celebrated and nurtured by
coming together in larger meetings called, Celebrations! These Celebrations can
occur as often as once a week, twice a month or once a month depending upon the
consensus of the people in the Cells.
The Life of the
cell-based church is the risen Messiah who dwells in His People by his Spirit.
His life is lived out in a Network of Loving Relationships established by those
who follow him. This network includes those who believe as well as those who do
not yet see the beauty of the Lord. The life of Christ flourishes wherever love
is shared through acts of compassionate service. Small groups of people sharing
life together are the strength of the Church community. It is in the Cell
context that believers humbly seek a relationship with God and one another. It
is to this same Cell that we bring newcomers. Through these committed
relationships, we spur one another on to love, right relationships and good
works. Together we rejoice in life and do the work God has called us to do.
The pillar of the cell-based church is that all Christians are ministers. In other words, everyone who gathers does so with the intention of giving of himself or herself to facilitate the well being of the others in the group. Even those who do not yet realize their place in the community are encouraged to participate! This mutual giving and receiving is the way God gives and receives love. Without knowing it many of us have been representing Christ as his ambassadors to others. One day he will say to us, �as you did to others you did to me.� Involvement in a Cell Church will equip you to do the work of the ministry and become a person of influence. The cell group is the ideal forum for equipping you for friendship evangelism and discipleship.
Cells meet weekly in the intimacy of a home and they also cluster together for times of celebration. These larger meetings help remind the cells of the significance of their small contribution in the big picture of God�s expanding kingdom. A Cell church at its finest becomes a church-planting movement that brings many new people to faith in Jesus Christ. While the larger Celebrations are special, the focus is never shifted away from the small Cell church. It is the church in its purest expression! The Cell is where love, community, ministry and evangelism spring up most naturally and powerfully (see Acts 2:42-47). It is impossible to nurture these in large gatherings, which tend to be impersonal. A gathering of the cells for Celebration on the other hand, links each Cell together, provides corporate worship and instruction.
Has God prepared YOU to be a servant-leader of a Cell Church? Is it your secret passion to help others become disciples? If you answer yes, this opportunity for involvement may be for YOU!
For
more information please call Bill at
559 442-1278 or 252-0510
