THE CHURCH - THROUGH HOME CELL GROUPS MOBILISATION
Readings: Exodus 18 v 13 - 26, Romans 16 v 3 - 5, 1
Corinthians 16 v 19, Colossians 4 v 15, Philemon 1 - 2, Acts 2 v 42 - 46, Acts 4
Do you know that the way we perceive the ministry of the
church will affect our methodology of evangelism. If we operate on a
"GATHER model", the primary concern will be to get people into the
church and ensure that they stay. This then means that, attractive programmes
will be designed and many rules and laws will be created to ensure that
newcomers remain loyal. But if we function on a "SCATTER model",
which is the more biblical approach, the primary focus will be on taking the
gospel message out to where the people are.
On the second model, the main issue then will not be the
attractive programmes, but an effective presentation of the gospel, and a means
of mobilization that is effective and durable. Mobilisation through Home Cell
groups means a church in the HOME. When we read the book of Acts, we note the
growth and ministry pattern in the Early Church. On the day of Pentecost 3 000
people accepted Jesus Christ, and in Acts 4 the number had grown to 5 000 while
in Acts 5, the multitudes were coming to Christ, and the Holy Spirit added to
their number. The Christians met from house to house," breaking
bread" and sharing apostolic doctrine, with those thousand believers
breaking into home meetings. Not only did they visit homes and break bread but
also held worship services in homes.
In the Old Testament in the book of Exodus there is the cell
group model when Moses was admonished by his father-in-law Jethro to,
"select capable men from all the people - men who fear God, trustworthy
men who hate dishonest gain - appoint them as officials over thousands,
hundreds, fifties and tens." The biblical church in the home is evident.
John Wesley the founder of the Methodist Church started with this method which
today has seen the Wesleyan family all over the world confessing Jesus as their
personal Lord and Saviour. Although in the beginning the class meetings were
viewed as an organized and easy method of collecting money when they were
building, it developed to be places and processes of spiritual nourishment and
growth.
The effectiveness of the Home Cell groups would be in that a
leader was to gather and care for the believing Christians in his /her area,
teaching the Bible and praying together. Each leader also was to go out
and win her neighbours to Jesus Christ, and then invite them to his/ her home
meetings and to church. The spiritual dynamics of Home Cell groups is that
these cell groups become the fabric of the church and also the church becomes
more than an event to attend, but a community to belong to. Home cell groups have
the most important aspect of spiritual dynamic, a means to worship God, learn
the Word and experience God's miraculous powers in our lives. Yes, one main
goal also of these cell groups is to help people personally encounter the
supernatural God, who solves problems.
In the Home Cell groups people begin to identify and know each
other’s spiritual giftings and talenting, also clear definitions are made about
what these gifts are and how they function on a day to day basis. This also
removes the focus on the functioning of gifts from within the church only. Once
the church building is separated from the gifts, immediately a wider arena for
the existence of gifts becomes available. So cell ministry is definitely one of
the most effective ways to harness the resources of believers, while at the
same time enabling them to focus on the lost world.
Prayerful Thought: Lord I surrender my church to you so that
it becomes more effective in Home Cell Groups.
Day 12
THE CHURCH - WHY THROUGH HOME CELL GROUPS MOBILISATION?
Readings: I Peter 2 v 9, Revelations I v 6, Romans 12 v 15
God has made His people to be a kingdom of a holy-
priesthood, unless there is a very firm conviction about this, both in the
leadership and membership, ministry will be confined to a select few who may be
viewed as specialists. However, since growing churches tend to lose personal
touch, there is really no way forward without creating small-groups system that
can absorb effectively those who are won to Christ.
Have you ever looked closely at the M. C. Z. Mission
Statement? Here it is;
"We Exist to Transform lives, through Biblical
Teachings and Witnessing: Nurturing Believers into the Worshippers of God, in a
Dynamic Worship Environment, Genuine Christian fellowship and Commitment to
meet the Felt-Needs of individuals and communities without
discrimination."
Wow, awesome indeed - an outgoing church for a coming Christ
indeed.
The statement is embracive with a motivation for soul-winning
and an infrastructure capable of servicing new believers, new corners
successfully, hence members should not be hesitant in inviting their friends
along because the church can absorb them.
However, let us briefly look at examples of different types
of churches with their different degrees of evangelistic potential;
A - THE PARTY TYPE - structured in a way that primarily
provides people with a "FUN time" when they walk through its doors,
B - THE CLINIC TYPE - focus is on meeting
"felt-needs" and other on-going needs of its communications. The
people here understand the church as a source of their well-being, and look to
it in times of need.
C - THE MORTUARY TYPE - This might as well not be there, for
it is a dead church and exists only as a shell.
D - THE KINGDOM TYPE - This type of church understands that
its God ordained mission is to disciple the nations. The strategy to win the
lost first is initiated and executed sustainably. A kingdom type
church prioritises the objective of evangelism, though there is no reason why
it cannot have fun and excitement, or meet the needs of the people. The main
point to notice here is that evangelism will not take place automatically
unless a church has a well-defined strategy of how to motivate and mobilize the
members.
As an Oasis of LIFE, PEACE, JUSTICE and HOPE, as stated in
the vision of the Methodist Church in Zimbabwe, the approach, skill and
attitudes of the leadership and church members need to be in a prevailing mood
of inviting newcomers to the church through the Home Cell Group ministry that
go beyond simply being an instrument of mobilization. The Bible in the book of
Romans 12 v 15, exhorts us to be with those who rejoice, and to mourn with
those who mourn; and cell groups see us making much fruit in pastoring members
and by making meaningful home ministry visits. Remember however that not all
cell groups and cell leaders are equally evangelistic.
Prayerful thought: Lord, I thank you that with the help of
cell groups, our church will become a kingdom church not a mortuary church.