Welcome! This is a short introduction to the basic concepts of Cell Church. A proper understanding of these principles will help us mature as Christians and also enable us to play an active part in the ministry of the Church.

A cell group is a small group of people who meet together weekly, in homes, for three reasons:

• For praise and prayer

• To encourage and build one another up in Christ

• To evangelise the unconverted

Today the term ‘cells’ is used in a variety of ways. Some of these have unfortunate connotations such as ‘prison cells,’ ‘IRA cells’ and ‘padded cells.’ When we use the term to describe our small groups we are thinking of ‘biological’ cells.

All living matter from the simplest amoeba through all vegetable and animal life up to human life is founded on cell structure. In fact, there is nothing alive in all nature, which is not composed of living cells, the very "building blocks of all life." In the last few decades many details and integral parts of each tiny cell have been identified through modern technology. The various functions of biological cells have amazing parallels with church cell principles.

For example each biological cell moves, grows, reacts, protects and reproduces as a tiny miniature of the larger body. Around each cell is a wall, enclosing the component parts in a kind of tiny room. Each cell moves, not in a slow or jelly-like fashion, but in a constant state of vitality and activity - "fully and vibrantly alive," in the scientists' words. It is much the same with the church home cells. Each cell is a kind of mini-church contributing to the life of the larger congregation.

An astounding diversity in shape, structure and function has been discovered in biological cells. They can be shaped like rods, spirals, shoe boxes, rectangles, spheres, daisies, snowflakes, runner beans and even blobs of jelly, to mention but a few! Diversity and flexibility in home cells are equally as important.

Each biological cell has the capacity to grow and reproduce itself. This process is, simply, to divide into two other cells - a transformation which

cells is called mitosis. It is described as quite a dramatic process: the nucleus seems to receive a message to divide. At this, normal cell activity appears to be temporarily halted - as if in response to a signal. Then the nucleus begins to lose its normal appearance - and before long it has divided into two nuclei, and eventually we have two new cells each starting to work at full production again, each under the direction of a new command.

So, in church cells we experience multiplication by division. Under God's leadership, if each cell functions as it should, it ‘divides’ and ‘multiplies’. It reproduces itself through evangelism and discipleship and the home cells multiply by dividing into two.

Lysosomes in every cell have a protective and healing function - particularly in rehabilitating ailing tissues, and combating enemy inroads. It seems that one of the worst enemies of cells are viruses which make direct attacks on cell structure and components. Most cells quickly produce antibodies to fight these assaults. One of the major functions of home cell groups is warfare against, and protection from, the attacks of Satan.

In each normal cell (and there are about sixty billion in each human body) the outstanding characteristics are order and authority coexisting with individualism and a wealth of variety designed to give interest and beauty to all living creation. Within each cell is a miniature community and an active principle of interdependence: each part helping and serving others, both within and outside the cell wall. We can only stand in awe of such a Creator - and be excited at the realisation that in His plan for the Church, the organism He calls the Body of His Son, there is similar order, breadth of function, and infinite variety, and above all community, koinonia.

One further important deduction from our glance at natural cells and organisms: if the cells are healthy, the organism is healthy. We are discovering that a church's health, stability and expansion depend on the real koinonia of its component home cells.

Many churches have had house groups for years, although most have been unable to maintain their vitality and usefulness for long periods of time. Over recent years some have alternated them with task-oriented groups or made them bi-weekly. Some more disillusioned leaders have axed them altogether. What was wrong with some them?

Often they were seen as another addition to the already-full church program. Many were optional. Each group was independent and unrelated to the other groups. They generally decided their own programme: some were Bible study groups, others were fellowship groups, still others majored on prayer etc. House groups were most often inward looking and were not geared to welcoming and nurturing new people. Any success was usually dependent on a gifted leader. Participation was helpful but not essential. They often tended to travel over well trodden subjects.

The new cell groups are in sharp contrast to the old house group system. They are not merely an addition to the other areas of church life - they are the basic building blocks of church life. They provide the place where fundamental Christian activities are experienced: welcoming, accepting, nurturing, pastoring, discipling, caring, sharing, growing, serving, participating, praying, evangelising, etc. They are people-centred, ministry-centred and care-centred. The epicentre or focal point of the church’s ministry is found in the cells. This is where the life of a church is seen and felt. A church is only as healthy as its individual cells.

The members of a cell understand that this is church and that they are functional members of this particular group of believers for a period of time, until the group grows large enough to multiply or is used, along with another cell or cells, to reproduce a new cell. They are committed to one another’s wellbeing and growth. They meet to give and receive, by participation.

They endorse the church’s primary purpose statement:

§ Jesus at the centre

§ Every member in ministry

§ Every member growing

§ Every member witnessing

§ Communities of trust and honesty marked by sacrificial love

The cell meets weekly and follows a fairly simple but flexible programme. A typical evening, lasting about 90-120 minutes may look something like this:

Welcome—Often an ice-breaker may be used. This helps newcomers participate in a non-threatening way, enables the group to get to know and appreciate one another. It also helps everyone’s focus to move from the worries or busyness of the day to sharing in the group.

Worship—This is the time to focus on the Lord Jesus and the presence of the Holy Spirit. If possible a few songs of praise and thanksgiving may be offered to God.

Word –This may be a reflection on the last Sunday message or a follow-up of something that was not concluded in the previous week’s cell meeting. Sometimes

Witness—This is a time for preparation, planning and prayer for the evangelistic work of the cell group. The close family, friends and colleagues of cell members should be determined and prayed for individually. The group can arrange its own bridge-building events and, later, Alpha or Discovery groups, held instead of the group or as an addition to it.

It is the entire group's task to offer mutual care for one another under the direction of the cell leader. The cell should try to be observant to one another’s needs and be available to serve the group in whatever way is appropriate for the well being of the group.

If you would like to join a cell and have not been asked by one of our Cell Facilitators please feel free to contact me. I will then arrange for one of them to speak with you so you can have a taster and experience a cell meeting for yourself. Currently our cells meet on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings. Once a quarter we all meet together at the chapel for a Cell Celebration, which normally focuses a particular area of ministry or teaching.

Rev Mark J Lawrence—Minister