What we do
Children | Students | Connect Groups | Ignite (18-30s) | Prayer | Ceilidh Our Connect Group History
We started running cell groups in the February of 2003. Before this, focus was on our Sunday services and a poorly attended mid-week bible study.
Something was missing from the life of the church that connected theoretical Christianity with our daily lives. Sunday meetings did not seem to meet the need and the bible study was just another meeting.
After studying various systems, we settled on running cell groups. Like Abraham, we were on a journey, unsure where we would end-up but sure God had called us to leave behind our former methods. In order to try-out cell meetings, we formed a 'leaders cell'. The leaders met from February to September, after which we launched cells across the church.
The journey has taken us through a sometimes rocky and sometimes smooth route. We now have a number of cells that have multiplied and we continue to add more groups.
Core Values
We have five core-values, which apply to our cells:
- Cell is Church:
Cells are a valid and integral part of church. They are 'church' in the same way that Sunday Meeting is church and carry the same status. - Every member ministry:
We allow every member to get involved, through leading the one of the 4Ws and hosting the meeting. Cell is a place to grow our gifts, a comfortable place to make mistakes. - Mutual Accountability and Support:
No-one is expected or encouraged to 'share all', but cell should be place where people feel free to receive the help and support they need. The expectation on cells is to look after their members and help them through good and bad times. People are accepted and made welcome as they are. - Outward focus:
Cell is not a clique; it tries hard to connect with people outside of group. - Achieving Excellence:
The Christian Centre wants excellence in everything we do. God does all things well; we as his people want to do likewise. Cell helps us achieve excellence in whatever we do. Whatever our career or family situation we try to do it for God in an excellent manor.
What does the bible say about cells?
It is clear that the early church met in both large and small gatherings. It's not clear what they did in these groups, the bible does not tell us. It was probably so we were not 'boxed-In' and constrained that the Holy Spirit chose to keep this a secret.
It would be very surprising if the early church called their groups 'Cells', and even more surprising if they were ran according to the 4Ws. The Holy Spirit has given us freedom to develop a system appropriate for each generation and culture.
We know that in the large gatherings they heard teaching from the top leaders and Apostles. We also know that they had communion in their smaller groups; something we do from time to time. We can also see that they practiced an every member ministry approach in these house churches. Paul talks about everyone having something to share in the church meeting and it being appropriate for them to do so. Since the church he was a addressing numbered over 180 000 he must have been referring to small group meetings.