Cell group

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The cell group is a non-denominational form of church organization that is used in some Christian churches. Cell group are generally intended to personalize Christian fellowship, and is always used in cell churches and may also be employed by other denominations but with less reliance. They may also be called small group ministries, home groups, home friendship groups, home care groups, house fellowships or small christian communities.

1 Composition
2 Aims
3 Terminology
4 Cell meetings
5 See also

[edit] Composition

Cell groups are made of small numbers of Christians, usually about 20 or fewer, and led by a cell leader. Members may be in the same cell group because of common locality, schools or interests. Cell meetings are usually not conducted in the church sanctuary, if any, but in any of the members' homes, rooms in the church building or other third-party venues. When the cell group believes that the cell group has grown too large, the cell group may divide to form two separate and smaller cell groups.

[edit] Aims

Cell groups are frequently intended to grow by members bringing along friends, who start attending regularly and become part of the group, becoming Christians at some stage. When the cell members believe that the cell has grown too large, it may split into two groups, providing an opportunity for more members to assume leadership responsibilities for one of the two new groups. While members may participate in these cell groups, the church that it belongs to still holds weekly services or masses, handles collection of offerings, support of missionaries and community outreach.

[edit] Terminology

The term cell group is derived from biology: the cell is the basic unit of life in a body. In a metaphorical sense, just as a body is made up of many cells that give it life, the cell church is made of cell groups that give it life.

[edit] Cell meetings

Cell meetings may consist of a fellowship meal, communion, prayer, worship, sharing, bible study and discussion, depending on the choice of the cell members and doctrine of that denomination, or the lack thereof. While these home meetings are often primarily bible study meetings with discussion and sharing but may include a group-focused evangelism ministry that reaches a particular community. In churches where there are a sufficient number of cell groups, congregational meetings or services consisting of all the members of the home meetings may be organized.

[edit] See also

http://www.cellworldsystem.ouvaton.org/ - Cell World System website.
http://www.cellgrouppeople.com/] - TOUCH Outreach Ministries web site. Resources, Training and Consulting for cell groups