cell church

Cells- The Basic Expression Of Church

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From the Joel Comiskey Blog

By Steve Cordle, https://xr.church/

When you hear the word “church,” what comes to mind? Can you imagine a healthy church that does not have a large celebration service?

The early church did. For a first-century believer, “church” did not evoke the image of a building or a large worship gathering; it would be a small group meeting in a house.

Many churches in the United States consider small groups one of the larger church’s many ministries—an optional activity for those interested in that sort of thing. They see the church’s core as the public worship service (celebration).

In reality, the cell group is the primary expression of the church. Why do I say that? Because the cell group can fulfill all the functions of the church, the celebration service cannot.

The functions of the church have been identified as worship, fellowship, discipleship, ministry, and evangelism (some add prayer and leadership.) All of these functions can be best expressed in the cell group. Only a few can use their gifts in a worship gathering with hundreds of people. In a cell group, everyone can participate meaningfully (1 Corinthians 14:6.) True community (fellowship) is fostered better in a small group than in a large gathering. Biblical discipleship takes place in the context of relationship, which is the specialty of the cell. Evangelism and outreach can be intentional and relational when done by a cell group.

If we think that the “real” church happens primarily in celebration services, then we will grow disciples who are not fully formed. Celebration services fulfill an essential role, but they are just one piece of the overall picture of the church.

Families in Cell Groups

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Photo by Rajiv Perera on Unsplash

Families in Cell Groups

Every member of the family is created in God’s image, from the youngest to the oldest. Children are meant to be a part of the cell group. They can hear God and they can minister to other people just as powerfully as any adult.


I was talking to someone a month or so ago who said their cell group hadn’t met all year, partly because some of the children were a problem. They hosted the group at their home, but were tired of the children spending group time in their children’s bedrooms and “trashing the joint.” They were thankful when renovations made the home unsuitable for hosting the group.


My wife told these people, “If you do not include the children now, you won’t have them at all later.” We shared some resources and tips to include children in the group.


I lead a group in our church that is specifically family focused. We try to make it children friendly and also relevant to the adults. I am always sure to include worship music and some child-related videos that relate to the theme of the day. We also have a Bible passage that I encourage the children to read.


Food is important. We have the children prepare something that can cook during the cell meeting and they look forward to that for the end of the group.


Sometimes the kids are unruly, and the parents don’t discipline them or hold them accountable for their behaviour. Sometimes the adults are out of sorts and refuse to join in.


But other times I see the lights go on in the hearts of a child or a parent and I think, “Yes! God is working here, despite everything!”


Children need to be included as much as possible in group life. Some groups have a separate lesson time for children. They include the children for the Welcome and Worship segments, and then a different adult each week takes the children to another room for the Word part. That approach works, but make sure that you have child safe protocols in place- both the legal requirements for Working With Children Checks and your church policies and guidelines for children’s ministry.


Also, when you are thinking about whether the group is getting to the size where it needs to multiply (i.e. 12-14 people), make sure you count the children. They are people too, and they are apart of the inter-personal dynamics of the group.


So let’s keep on persevering in including all people of all ages in our groups, and celebrate the wonderful things that God can do.

Restoration in 2022

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Cell church is, as we all know, more than getting everybody into small groups. You have to train leaders, coach them, encourage your leaders, organise an equipping track, produce cell meeting agendas.

Along the way it is easy to let some things slip.

This year, I am going to be more conscientious in coaching meetings with my leaders, as well as visiting the various groups. These are just two things that the Covid pandemic disrupted for me.

While our groups mostly managed to meet except for a few weeks, I found that the all the new things that I had to cope with (online meetings, videoing sermons etc), took so much energy that I had no ability to do these other things.

The third thing I am going to restore this year is the Equipping Track, or Growth Track as we are calling it.

Our first attempt was in a cell group which ran for two years, which was probably too long. A few years later, I ran an Equipping Track as a series of classes on Sunday afternoons. The problem with this approach for a small church is that it only takes a couple of people to miss a class, and you are wondering if the session is worth it.

We have an increasing number of people on shift work and a number of parents with young children who find it hard to attend every week at a particular time. We have some tradesmen who might be called out to a break down at any time, so they find it hard to commit to in person classes.

In 2022 I am planning to offer the Growth Track on video. Participants will then be able to access the material at times that suit them. It is possible that some cells groups might choose to do some of the modules in their group time then discuss the content together.

My hope is that in the course of this year most of my people will pass through the Equipping Track and be ready to take more responsibility.

Facilitating or pastoring a cell church is not difficult. In fact it is a lot easier than being the sole expert that many more traditional styles of church expect.

But I do have to ensure that I keep my eyes on the main goal of equipping disciples to be disciple makers.