Difference between revisions of "Cell Church" - New World Encyclopedia
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| − | Cell church refers to a [[church]] structure based on the regular gathering of small groups. Rather than focus on a large Sunday service, cell churches focus on developing close relationships between members by meeting regulary in houses or smaller meeting places. A meeting may consist of a number of elements including [[ | + | Cell church refers to a [[church]] structure based on the regular gathering of small groups. Rather than focus on a large Sunday service, cell churches focus on developing close relationships between members by meeting regulary in houses or smaller meeting places. A meeting may consist of a number of elements including reading of [[scripture]], discussion, sharing, [[prayer]] and [[worship]]. Cells provide spiritual nourishment for members and encourage church growth by inviting guests. As with cells in the [[human body]], when a cell grows beyond a normal size, the cell multiplies into two cells, and the cycle continues. |
| − | Some existing churches that work on a traditional pattern with one or more weekly services including the Sunday morning service operate a cell church as an extension of their existing congregational worship activities. These meetings are primarily [[bible study]] meetings with discussion and sharing but can work as a group-focused [[evangelism]] program that reaches a particular community. | + | ==Reasons for Cell Churches== |
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| + | ===Community=== | ||
| + | Communities of 3-15 people are a size in which people can experience close personal interaction, share with one another, support one another, and develop open and honest communication. Traditional natural communities are rooted in the extended family, and among neighbors in sparesly inhabited areas. Large population shifts to urban areas leads to a breakdown of these traditional communal bonds because individuals migrating to cities for work find themselves alone and without traditional community support. A cell group in an urban area can thus become a substitute for natural community. | ||
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| + | ===Religious Intolerance=== | ||
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| + | Some existing churches that work on a traditional pattern with one or more weekly services including the Sunday morning service operate a cell church as an extension of their existing congregational worship activities. These meetings are primarily [[bible study]] meetings with discussion and sharing but can work as a group-focused [[evangelism]] program that reaches a particular community. | ||
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| + | In churches where there are a sufficient number of small groups, the members may hold a Sunday service as an extension of the cells. | ||
== Cell structure == | == Cell structure == | ||
Revision as of 20:45, 4 March 2006
Cell church refers to a church structure based on the regular gathering of small groups. Rather than focus on a large Sunday service, cell churches focus on developing close relationships between members by meeting regulary in houses or smaller meeting places. A meeting may consist of a number of elements including reading of scripture, discussion, sharing, prayer and worship. Cells provide spiritual nourishment for members and encourage church growth by inviting guests. As with cells in the human body, when a cell grows beyond a normal size, the cell multiplies into two cells, and the cycle continues.
Reasons for Cell Churches
Community
Communities of 3-15 people are a size in which people can experience close personal interaction, share with one another, support one another, and develop open and honest communication. Traditional natural communities are rooted in the extended family, and among neighbors in sparesly inhabited areas. Large population shifts to urban areas leads to a breakdown of these traditional communal bonds because individuals migrating to cities for work find themselves alone and without traditional community support. A cell group in an urban area can thus become a substitute for natural community.
Religious Intolerance
Some existing churches that work on a traditional pattern with one or more weekly services including the Sunday morning service operate a cell church as an extension of their existing congregational worship activities. These meetings are primarily bible study meetings with discussion and sharing but can work as a group-focused evangelism program that reaches a particular community.
In churches where there are a sufficient number of small groups, the members may hold a Sunday service as an extension of the cells.
Cell structure
There are a number of structures used to organise multiple cells within a church.
The G-12 Structure is one of the ways cell churches care for cell leaders. It consists of a leadership cell ideally consisting of 12 people who each facilitate their own cell, traditionally a group of 4 to 7 people.
External links
- Anglican Cell Church Network in the UK
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