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 21^st 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