Chapter 11: Frequently Asked Questions

Summary: There are many questions that come with thinking about the Body of Christ in a non-programmatic way, but it is worth the time to consider and answer the questions.

“Q: How can we be sure the group leaders will not drift into wrong teaching or a different vision?” (Location: 1,862)

Note:This is a very important questions. I wonder though if we have considered the idea that all of us are capable of drifting or diving into false teaching, and perhaps many of those in our church are currently there, we just don’t hear them talking about it. It seems to me that instead of worrying that if we give individuals the opportunity to talk they will walk into heresy, we should be concerned that if we don’t give them the opportunity to talk they will continue in heresy.

“Q: Won’t we be breaking up friendships by asking the groups to multiply?” (Location: 1,868)

Note:Good question. Along with the author’s answer, I think we need to address this idea that “church” is where my friends are. Seems like we are walking down the wrong path when we go to church because of our friends, leave a church because of our friends, or only find friends in our church. That does not mesh with the teachings of Jesus.

“Q: Where do leaders and coaches find the time for all those meetings? (Location: 1,879)”

Note:Good answer here: Cut the programs.

“Q: Can our Sunday School classes function as cell groups? Sunday School classes are fundamentally different in nature than cells. By definition the cell meets outside the church and has a strong evangelistic goal. Sunday School classes are instruction-based, and meet inside a church building. The environment of a home is much different than the institutional feel of a church facility. In a healthy cell, members do life together, sharing experiences outside the group. A classroom environment produces a classroom culture. It is highly likely that in spite of the Sunday School class’ intent to become a cell group, if they meet at Sunday School time in a Sunday School room they will revert to being a Sunday School class instead of a true cell group.” (Location: 1,919)

“Q: How do you minister to children in a cell-based church?” (Location: 1,932)

This is a great question, but the author gives a poor answer. One thing we are doing is studying the same passage with the children and the adults, just shortening it and including a project for the children. While the adults continue with the same passage, the children are coloring or creating, and often then speak up and answer questions during the adult time. This isn’t perfect, but we sacrifice some things so we can gain the experience of studying together with our children and setting them up for a future of studying God’s Word with others, not just watching videos.

Chapter 10: First Steps

Summary: How you transition to a cell model will impact how the cells will multiply (or not).

“When lay people ask me how they can get cell ministry started in their church, I am compelled to tell them that without the involvement and support of the senior pastor they will not be able to sustain a meaningful cell ministry.” (Location: 1,759)

Note:See later note.

“When the cell-based Cypress Creek Church in Wimberley, Texas built their beautiful new worship facility, they intentionally included no offices for pastoral staff. They want their pastors to be out reaching and discipling people, not holed up in offices working on church programs.” (Location: 1,797)

Note:This is a novel concept. I wonder what their thoughts are now? Would it make sense to cut the offices and not the building all together? I wonder, what they use the building for during the week?

“As senior pastor, you do not need official Board action or a congregational vote in order to begin cell ministry; just start a cell! Start small; don’t try to launch a dozen groups at once. If you do, you probably will not be able to train and coach leaders adequately, and the cells will not stay healthy. Build the ministry on the firm foundation of well-equipped leaders who have experienced healthy cell ministry. Launch slowly and think long term. Start one cell, equip a new leader, then multiply that cell into two groups. Coach the new leader and repeat the process for each group. The power of multiplication will expand your ministry in a sustainable way.” (Location: 1,801)

Note:While the concept of starting one group and then multiplying is a good idea, would this be underhanded if you started something without talking about it with the other leaders? What if a lay person wanted to do this? Why couldn’t they? Earlier in the chapter the author said that an individual really couldn’t do anything if the pastor wasn’t on board. But it seems as though cells are natural inside a church anyway, right? So then it would be natural for someone to invite others into their home in order to talk through and apply the sermon or teaching from that week. That is biblical right? So a lay person is not necessarily a lame duck, even though they might not see massive top-down change.

“Emphasize and model outreach right from the beginning; do not allow it to be a closed group under the guise of training future leaders. People will reproduce what they experience.” (Location: 1,822)

Note:That last sentence is a tough one. Perhaps that is why we don’t see churches reproducing very quickly in most US contexts.

“As they lead the group, pastors need to realize that they are setting the precedent for what future group leaders will be and do. Therefore, lead as you expect future leaders to lead. For example, during group discussions, cell members may be inclined to ask the pastor for the “right” answers to any biblical or theological questions. Resist the temptation to provide those answers. As a pastor, if you teach or become the resident theological expert, you will find it hard to develop another leader because the group members will think, “I can’t lead a group like Pastor does, I don’t have the theological education”.” (Location: 1,824)

Note:This is a dangerous place to be, group members afraid to answer a question or lead a group in case they get it wrong.

“Publicly share stories of the life change which is happening in the groups.” (Location: 1,846)

Note:There is a great under appreciation for testimonies of growth and change. The difficulty is finding the best medium for it.

Chapter 9: Moving from Church with Cells to Church that is Cells

Summary:What is the church? Looking at how we address the functions of a church will help us determine what we truly believe about the church.

If aliens were to try to determine what “church” was by listening to people’s routine conversations, they would end up very confused, because we use the word in so many ways. For example, we say that we: “go to church” “construct a church” “attend church” “belong to a church”. So, is church a building to enter or an organization to which we belong? Or is it an event to attend? The way we answer that question deeply influences the way we do ministry. (Location: 1,643)

Note:This is an interesting thought experiment. It also works with asking our children what “church” is.

Church history documents that during times of ease and prosperity, the Church can take on a variety of forms. However, when the church experiences the intense stress of persecution, it is stripped away of anything superfluous, and it reverts to its most basic components. (Location: 1,661)

Note:What will the church look like in North America ten years from now? How many people will have the “privilege” of shallow bathing in hereditary Christianity?

In other words, the answer to most ministry questions is, “the cell group”. For example, how will church members find meaningful connection (fellowship) with other believers? In a cell group. How can evangelism happen best? Through a cell group. How will people be discipled and grow spiritually? Through a holistic cell group (that is, a group which fulfills all the purposes of the church). (Location: 1,693)

Note:How we answer this same question, “How can we make ______ more a part of our church?” will tell us what mindset we have.

The reason that cell groups are the answer to most ministry questions is that the purposes of the church are accomplished best through relationships. (Location: 1,696)

Church membership. If the cell is the church, can someone be a member of a local church without belonging to a cell group? If so, what exactly are they joining? (Location: 1,716)

This is a crucial discussions for this author as well. Someone might be very active in a cell, but are they a member? Is there some way of measuring who is in and who is out? If not, then one of the most important functions of the local church, that of recognizing one’s citizenship in heaven, is hindered – if not lost. (See 9Marks, Membership)

Chapter 8: Moving From Programs to Relationships

Summary:In order to focus on the most important ministries of the church, we need to cut the programs.

While natural forces shape natural features, people are shaped by other people. (Location: 1,471)

Note:I like this concept. God uses circumstances, His Word, and even nature to mold our hearts, but the truth is still there. It is a person who makes an impact, not just a solitary fact.

The Bible reveals that God wants to shape us into the image of Jesus. One of the primary means God uses to reshape our lives is Christ-centered relationship. (Location: 1,474)

Since people shape people, a church which seeks to stimulate genuine spiritual growth in its members must catalyze authentic, Christ-centered relationships. (Location: 1,489)

Note:Seems like he is stating the obvious, but how often do our programs fail in this regard?

Tragically, churches can be very lonely places for far too many people. Even while actively involved in church programs, countless men and women are living with quiet desperation and secret hurts known to no one else. We cannot hope to truly disciple people into Jesus’ image if we leave them in their isolation. (Location: 1,495)

Note:I wonder what an anonymous survey in our churches would reveal about this fact. Probably more than we want to admit!

The following are some of the common ways cell churches assure that authentic relationships remain at the core of the church. 1. Eliminate Programs…2. Promote cells over service…3. Cultivate transparency…4. Provide pastoral care through cell groups

Instead of spending hundreds and thousands of hours producing that program, what if our members had invested that time in building their small groups? (Location: 1,527)

Note:I think the reason it is easier to spend time on programs instead of people is because you have something to show for it. You can never look at a person and say, “Well, here is the final product!”

But the reality is that every program we call our people to support means there is that much less time for them to be engaged in relational evangelism and discipleship. (Location: 1,535)

Note:Take note.

If each week the church announcements center on the need for workers in various ministries, then people understand that service is valued highly. But if each week people hear an invitation to join a group or a sermon illustration about cell groups, then they pick up the idea that cells are where the action is. (Location: 1,556)

Note:This is an interesting concept. What do the bulletin and announcements say about a church?

A small group will not become a true community just because they spend time together in a living room. It is quite possible for people to pull their chairs close to one another while keeping their souls hidden from one another. Unless the members allow one another to see what is going on in their hearts and lives, they will remain at a relational distance. (Location: 1,568)

Note:This one is tough. Trust is not easily earned, but can be quickly lost.

At Crossroads Church we are pleased when a cell member steps up and serves on a ministry team. However, our main goal is not to get new people involved in ministry team. Our primary goal is to help people connect to a cell group. They can serve in addition to, not instead of, growing spiritually in a group. If people are evangelized and discipled in cell groups, then every member can be on the front lines of the church’s mission. (Location: 1,611)

Note:This is a good question, where is the front line of the church? I think most people would look at who they see up front on a Sunday, but that wouldn’t be the whole story.

By making cell groups the center of its ministry, the cell church leverages the power of relationship. When we invest time in developing relationships with both believers and pre-Christians, we are focusing our attention on what is most important in ministry. The relational nature of cell groups is consistent with the relational nature of the church itself. This makes sense, since the cell group is the most basic expression of the Church. So when we are focusing on building relationships we are focusing on making disciples and building the church. (Location: 1,623)

Note:Good summary of the chapter.