CROSS CULTURAL MINISTRY CM 3303

1. CROSS CULTURAL MINISTRYCM 3303 The Cell Church Structure

2. Overview of a Cell Group Church

3. Overview of a Cell Group Church • The CELL is the “Basic Christian Community” • The local church is formed from them and is the sum of them • Cells never grow larger than 15 people and multiply as they reach this figure • There are no other activities which exist in competition with the cells

4. Overview of the Cell Church THE CELL (SHEPHERD GROUP)

5. Overview of the Cell Church • Approximately five Shepherd groups are clustered and guided by a “Zone Servant” • This servant will be appointed to this task only after serving effectively as a Shepherd of one or two groups Zone Servant

6. Overview of the Cell Church • 25 Shepherd Groups then become a CONGREGATION • They cluster for the weekly celebration service, ordinances, evangelism, etc. • Congregations are activated by the cells, not vice versa • The term “congregation” is used for the clustering of cells, not for the controlling of them

7. Zone Servant Zone Servant Zone Servant Zone Servant Zone Servant Zone Pastor

8. Overview of the Cell Church • As the church grows, Zone Pastors and the Senior Pastor form the Pastoral Ministry Team • A third gathering, the CELEBRATION, is a mass meeting in which all the cells gather for public witness, praise and worship, preaching, teaching and evangelism

9. Zone Servant Zone Servant Zone Servant Zone Servant Zone Servant Zone Servant Zone Servant Zone Servant Zone Servant Zone Servant Zone Servant Zone Servant Zone Servant Zone Servant Zone Servant Zone Servant Zone Servant Zone Servant Zone Servant Zone Servant Zone Servant Zone Servant Zone Servant Zone Servant Zone Servant Zone Pastor Zone Pastor Zone Pastor Zone Pastor Zone Pastor Senior Pastor Ministry Team

11. Yoido Full Gospel Church • David (Paul) Yonggi Cho • Began 1958 • Keys: * Prayer * Cell Groups *“Let my people grow and go” • First six year without a system of cells • Cho collapsed. Initiated the cell model • Exod 18:21 • "Moreover you shall select from all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them to be rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens. • 65,000 cells and 750,000 members

13. The International Charismatic Mission • Cesar Castellanos • Began April 1983 • Keys: • Groups of twelve • Cell Groups • Evangelism • First 7 Years worked with Cho’s system and the church grew to 3000 members • Started to focus on planting new cells instead of multiplying existing groups • 2400 cells and 35 000 members in 1999

14. Ideal Timeline • Leadership Cell Y 1 15 People • LC + 2 Proto-Cells Y 2 30 People • LC + 4 Cells Y 2.5 60 People • LC + 8 Cells Y 3 120 People • LC + 16 Cells Y 3.5 240 People • LC + 32 Cells Y 4 480 People • LC + 64 Cells Y 4.5 960 People • LC + 128 Cells Y 5 1920 People • LC + 256 Cells Y 5.5 3840 People

15. Overview of a Cell Church • Cell Groups will go through four stages: • First Stage: Get-Acquainted Stage • Second Stage: The Conflict Stage • Third Stage: The Community Stage • Fourth Stage: The Ministering-to-Others Stage

16. Overview of the Cell Church • Cell groups have a six month life • Any group will stagnate after a period of time (atrophy) • Each cell group will be expected to multiply naturally after six-nine months or be reconstituted with another cell group

17. Overview of the Cell Church • There will be a continuous process to develop leadership in anticipation of cell multiplication Leader Intern Leader Leader Intern Intern

18. Overview of the Cell Church • Format of a Cell Meeting: • Welcome Ice Breaker You to me • Worship Singing Us to God • Word Edification God to Us • Works Share the Vision God through Us

19. Overview of the Cell Church • Worship • The purpose of this part of the meeting is to connect us to God in worship • The important thing is that you recognize and welcome the presence of Christ among you

20. Overview of the Cell Church • Worship (Cont) • Pick familiar songs which are more immanent versus transcendent • Have a song sheet for new people to utilize • Keep the flow going – Don’t use the time between songs to preach or talk!

21. Overview of the Cell Church • Word • The focus of this time is edification • In a Cell meeting you aren’t trying to convey volumes of new Bible knowledge • The goal is to discover and apply the simple truths of scripture as people reflect on their experiences

22. Teaching Provides Information “Fan” Communication, back and forth between teacher and students Points out logical conclusions Written or oral testing of memorized information Facilitating Provides an Experience “Circle” Communication, often only observed by the Facilitator Conclusions are discovered Feedback – observed change in values Overview of the Cell Church

23. Overview of the Cell Church • Example Questions: • What stands out to you in this passage? • Can you illustrate this truth from an example in your own life? • In what area do you struggle with the most in applying this truth? • Where do you need God’s help right now?

24. Overview of the Cell Church • Works – Share the Vision • It is an important part of the Cell Group devoted to telling the story of Cell Group Life

25. An Example of a Cell Group Meeting • Sharing Ground Rules • Ice Breaker “Where did you live between the ages of 7 – 12?” “When did God become more than a word to you?” • Praise Time (10 – 15 Minutes) • Edification Time (Based on Sunday’s Sermon) • Prayer Time • Share the Vision

26. A Typical Week in Cell Life • Sunday Morning: Celebration Service • Monday – Saturday: Cell Life, Paul/Timothy Activities • Monday Evening: Leadership Cell Meeting • Thursday Evening: Cell Group Meeting

27. Journey Guide “Discipleship” • A road map guiding the believer on their journey as they learn to become a servant in the Kingdom of God • Evaluates the present level of maturity in the believer • A plan of action will be implemented by the Cell Group Leader and a Paul and Timothy will be assigned

28. Journey Guide • Twenty Five “Stations” by which a believer can gauge their maturity • Ranges from Assurance of Salvation through Strongholds, through Relationships to Internship and Cell Leadership