Home Cell Groups
Many of you may be wondering, what is a home cell group? Well, in the first century after Christ died Christians met in their homes or a hidden room somewhere. Many did not have a formal church building, as we have come to know them. Many were forced to meet in hiding because of persecution or other reasons. But they had a need and desire to come together in fellowship. After that model we have begun to form home cell groups for several reasons. One reason is that meeting in someone’s home is a safe, friendly environment to meet new people and be able to learn about what it is to be a Christian without being pressured or looked down on. Where else can you go to ask honest questions without feeling like you are an outsider? Many, unchurched, non – Christian folks have felt very comfortable and safe in this approach. Every one has a need to feel cared about and accepted in this world.
Many times the formal church fails in this area. There is too much Christianese language and terminology for some to understand and there is a lack of comfort in asking. We have formed cell groups to meet the need of individuals. No one wants to be embarrassed because they don’t know how to find a book in the Bible or ask about a Bible story they never heard about before. We help each other in these things and learn from each other as brothers and sisters.
The cell group idea was not something we thought up as a program. Home cell groups were birthed out of a cry, from hurting and lost people that did not know where to turn to fill this need. We are still in the baby stages of this ministry, but it is growing because of so many needs . There is also a cell group that is designed specifically for those who want to be trained for facilitating a group in their own home. We have ministered to individuals that were opposed to attending a church because they either felt disconnected when they went, or they had actually been hurt by people in the church and just needed someone to love them and minister to them. Isn’t this what the church body is supposed to do. We just want people to feel accepted and loved and equipped to live life as Jesus would have us to.
One of the biggest tragedies of the formal church today is that many people come and go unnoticed and fall through the cracks. This is not an intentional action. It just happens in large groups of people. The cell group is not intended to replace the large or formal church. It is meant to enhance it. Home cell groups are formed to attempt to meet needs that large groups can not fill. We invite anyone to attend a group that will fill their need. Our group size range from six to sixteen people. Ideal size is about twelve from our experience. We always have great time .
--Tim Clark
