Cell Group Ministries

I am using this blog space to share the great ministry experiences that I and others have been involved in with Cell Group Ministries.

Let me start by stating some of the major lessons:

1. Not everyone is able to be in such a relational, community-based movement.
2. God is in it and that is affirmed by some of the negative and constant criticism.
3. Cell Ministries requires a Vision from leadership to be shared with those who are able to share that vision with the leaders of a given ministry.
4. You can't jump into Cell Ministries; it is a development, not an instant ministry.
5. It is not a replacement for programs; it is, in fact, a holistic ministry that requires the dedication, gifts, and personal involvement of every member of a cell.
6. The leader is merely a facilitator, not a director.
7. The 2 MAJOR GOALS of cell group mistries are 1) Develop Leaders 2) Multiply Groups. (DO NOT CREATE CLIQUES, BE PREPARED TO MULTIPLY AND SEPARATE WITHIN 1 or 2 years. {BUY THE BOOK!)
8. Cell Group Meetings are broken into four parts, not always done in the same order:

1. Welcome 2. Worship 3. Word 4. Witness
I could list others, but I won't for now.

I passionately believe in the perfection and Authentic Christian Community of this ministry. If you are interested, you can begin by looking at www.touchusa.org and purchase the book "Making Cell Groups Work." READ THE BOOK and use its advice and wisdom. There are over 30 years of experience from Ralph Neighbour Jr. on the subject of cell ministries and you will greatly benefit from his team and their written wisdom.

For now, I have decided to share our weekly Cell Group Agendas. You are welcome to print them and use them in your own groups.

Two Important Tips:

1. It is crucial that your church pastor, leader, minister, Corps Officer (whatever you call him, her or both) have a vision for this ministry. Without that support, you will be spinning wheels.

2. It is also crucial that you are involved in a weekly congregational celebration of worship. Cell groups that have left this very important part of sharing their praise and worship in honor of God, with a congregational body of believers have met the fate of cell group death. Congregational worship shows your cell group that God is bigger than your group.

Here is the Cell Agenda for January 1, 2006: Again, don’t just start a cell group. Purchase “Making Cell Groups Work,” do research on other cell model ministries, but don’t try to copy them, visit other cell churches and get the experience with a vision team.

If you have any questions, write me at captain_gainey@yahoo.com

Grace and peace,
Johnny

Cell Agenda for week of January 1, 2006 by Captain Jonathan Gainey, The Salvation Army, Charlotte, NC

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 8:1-15

Theme: Giving is not a gift.

WELCOME

Is there anyone here who gives to people because you love to help people in need? How do you feel when you give to someone who truly needs what you have given him or her?


WITNESS
Have someone read Matthew 6:2-4.
After the Scripture reading say to your group: Remembering that giving without expecting recognition is a godly way of giving. (Paraphrase to sound as natural as possible.

This Sunday is the start of a brand new year. For those of you, who have never been able to share your monetary treasures with the Church for the ministry of God to be done, then make this a resolution to begin trusting God with a percentage of what He gives you. Through giving to the ministry of your Savior through your church you will begin to experience the obedience of sharing God’s wealth with the world, as well as receiving the added blessing of showing immeasurable gratitude to God for His gifts to you.

WORSHIP
To begin worship, place a pillow on the floor in a room large enough to have everyone sit in a semi-circle with the pillow as if the pillow were part of the circle, not in the middle of the circle. This pillow represents the place where Christ is sitting with you and listening to you as you pray.

Sing a song of Thanksgiving and then pray for Christ to make each of you people who give gladly. Also pray and thank God for His wisdom and our privilege of supplying the needs of the world through His church.

WORD
It would probably surprise you to know that there is no word in Hebrew for charity. The Hebrew word tzedakah, often used in connection with charitable giving, only means justice and righteousness. It is not a gift that you give to the poor, but rather the fulfillment of an obligation.
God gives to you and you must give to others. You are the medium for the proper management of God’s wealth here on Earth. And if you won’t do it right, the rabbis teach, God will find another “messenger” to help him distribute his funds to the needy. That’s why it has been said that beggars don’t take; they demand alms as if they were collecting a debt.
There is a Jewish story that says when the pauper came to the rich man and was told by the rich man that he would receive nothing because the rich man had a bad year, the pauper’s response was, “I don’t understand—why does your bad year mean I should suffer?”
The poor are always to be taken care of, according to the Will, Word, and Laws of God.

Someone Read 2 Corinthians 8:1-15

1. Does God give to those of us who have so that we can be generous?
2. Does our giving supply the needs of God’s people and offer as an expression of gratitude to God?
3. Why do you think Paul needed to remind the people of Corinth to be gracious givers who share their wealth with the poor?
4. Do you know Christians who have a difficult time realizing that they are earning money for more than just their own families?
5. What are some good ways to create a habit of sharing our wages with the poor, which will include being held accountable to give without reluctance?
6. Is there anyone here who needs to begin sharing his or her monetary treasures in this New Year so that God’s resources can be used to help more people who are in need?

After this question, have people break into groups of two (three if there is one person left without another to create a couple) and pray for each other to begin giving, so that God’s work can be done through His church.

LEADER’S MINUTE:
This is a time for the leader to remind everyone of any upcoming events or ministries.
Remember: it is important to share in life outside of the cell group meeting. You may want to plan a movie night, go out to dinner or something during the week.

Tip: Do not allow your meeting to go longer than an hour and a half. This will create the feeling that people are leaving before they're ready to leave, which will make them look forward to coming back next week. (Advice from Dr. Kennon Callahan)

NOTE: Cell Groups are not readily accepted by highly traditional Christians; some may try to turn it into a program instead of a holistic community of ministering ministers.

Write me at captain_gainey@yahoo.com. I will respond quickly to any questions. Respectfully written criticisms will be respectfully read and appreciated. Thank you and God bless your ministry.

A Face in the Toilet

When I had the flu a few months ago and found myself with my head in the toilet, no one would have blamed me. Vomiting is pure misery and putting my face in the toilet is considered normal in our culture.

Now that I’ve experienced putting my face in a toilet, I actually look forward to getting the flu and I do nothing to prevent it. I don’t avoid people who have the flu. I don’t wash my hands when I leave a doctor’s office or hospital. I don’t eat well or dress warm in the winter. I have even considered ordering some influenza just for those boring days when there’s nothing better to do than stick my face in the toilet.

You probably think I’m kidding and you’re right. No one looks forward to sticking his or her face in the “underwater waste basket.” And anyone who does needs some serious therapy.

Shouldn’t we hold people accountable for recognizing the difference between needs and dependence? There are so many people who appear to love being sick. They don’t plan their lives; they don’t budget their money; they don’t invest in personal education. In short, they don’t make life happen; they accept whatever it gives.

It makes a lot more sense for us to teach people how to prevent the flu, than to show them where all the toilets of life can be found.

My name is Johnny and I am your friend.