Robust Cell Groups
While visiting a dynamic cell church in Costa Rica I (Steve Cordle) picked up a simple principle which has hepled our church build healthier cells. I was traveling with Joel Comiskey, and we had the privilege of spending a day with the church’s pastor. He shared that his church had come through a hard time of shrinking numbers of cells, and discouragement among the leaders. As a result, he started to emphasize what he called “robust” cells. that is, they closed and consolidated a lot of smaller cells, and established a guideline that each cell should have at least 10 people in it. The result is that they had fewer cells, but more people involved and a higher percentage of healthy groups.
We have made the same change at Crossroads Church, although we made 7 the new minimum number for a cell. Before a cell group can birth, we require there to be at least 7 people committed to the group. Where a group has dropped below that number we carefully work with the leader to discern whether it is time to merge with another cell.
I’m not saying God can’t work with a fewer number, but we found that smaller groups have a harder time with group energy, it’s less appealing to visitors, and harder to get consistent when people have to miss. Surely where there are 2 or 3 gathered together in Jesus’ name He is present. But the sense of body life seems to be stronger and the meeting richer because of more voices/contributions. I’d rather have fewer cells if they are healthier and more people are involved.
What’s your experience?
John Bradshaw said,
February 23, 2007 @ 8:10 am
I was surprised recently to hear about two of our newer cells that began meeting together for a season. They had both struggled some getting off the ground and each had between 4 and 6 folks. (And they were in the same network but not parent/daughter cells).
They sensed inherently what you were talking about Steve and started meeting together in order to create and sustain more energy.
As I said I didn’t know about this until down the road, but they were clear with the new people who came that they were two cell groups. After a season of a couple of months they each had 6-10 folks and are now both thriving on their own.
It’s lead me to think about purposefully empowering the leaders to have this as an option in those situations where they are on the runway for a prolonged period.
Thanks for creating this forum. I haven’t input much at this point, but I’ve already benefited greatly!
For the King,
John
Jim Egli said,
February 24, 2007 @ 6:56 pm
Interesting post, Steve. I am going to have to think about this. I was just talking to one of our young adults this afternoon who was saying that their new group which just has three regular attenders, is having trouble gathering people. This is not a problem for our larger groups. Young adults in particular are looking for more relationship that an small group offers but perhaps it goes for other adults as well.
Jim