Cell Basics

By Joel Comiskey

Summer 2012

We’ve been blogging this past week on the importance of team ministry. Team ministry is biblical and more effective. In the cell church, the team members rise from within the cell structure. While a leader’s godly character is foundational, fruitfulness in cell multiplication is required to move up the ladder.

But what does a team do? In my book Passion and Persistence: How the Elim Church’s Cell Groups Penetrated and Entire City for Jesus, I write in detail about how teams function at each level: cell, supervisors, zone pastors, and district pastors.

When a team meets at the cell level (planning meeting), I recommend starting with prayer and worship. The cell leader might read Scripture and share a brief exhortation. The leader then casts the vision for the next cell meeting, assigns responsibilities, envisions future multiplication, etc.

On a staff level, the process is similar. The staff meeting is a time to minister to those present, mend the cell nets, and envision the future. The unseen cells are the priority. The pressing needs of Sunday celebration cry out for immediate attention but the cell driven pastor prioritizes the cell infrastructure first. Who is in the training track? Who needs to be there? Are all leaders receiving coaching? Is the church on track to meet future multiplication goals? Which leaders need to be recognized for effective cell work?

Team ministry guides cell ministry and keeps it running smoothly and effectively.