Cell Group System
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Do all Christian churches have this? What's your opinion on it?
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My church have....but it is more of a bible study session....we study the bible by chapters systematically using textbooks...no singing or clapping of hands.....I find it a good thing, better than sermons becoz we can discuss and ask questions....Originally posted by SingaporeMacross:Do all Christian churches have this? What's your opinion on it? -
It's once a week I assume?
Another thing I realise, that the control exerted on the members by leaders can sometimes be very overpowering... -
For my cell group, I can safely say our leader does not really exert control over us. Can't say for other churches though.Originally posted by SingaporeMacross:It's once a week I assume?
Another thing I realise, that the control exerted on the members by leaders can sometimes be very overpowering...
Mine is a small group, only 5 persons including the BS teacher and I like the small number. Not that complicated and all we do is study the bible. I really learn a lot from my BS. -
Is it like a formal arrangement or you all decided to form your own group? i think in the bigger churches they actually allocate you to a cell...
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I am from a smaller church, it is not a formal arrangement....we join the cell group as we know the cell group leader....Originally posted by SingaporeMacross:Is it like a formal arrangement or you all decided to form your own group? i think in the bigger churches they actually allocate you to a cell... -
I think most churches has this system.Originally posted by SingaporeMacross:Do all Christian churches have this? What's your opinion on it?
It is a good system insomuch that the church DO NOT impose a spiritual bend to it, ie, start misquoting scripture about how Biblical the cell group system is.
I use to be a CGL until I disagree with the way the CG is to be run. Since then my original congregation has splitted into to, one going the charismatic way, the other going the traditional way. Charismatic congregation insist that every member joins a CG, traditional congregation hopes that every member tries to join a CG. Can't speak for the Charismatic congregation 'cos I am not in it. Traditional congregation CG functions like a BS/discipleship group. -
Sounded very much like Wesley Methodist !Originally posted by Chin Eng:I think most churches has this system.
It is a good system insomuch that the church DO NOT impose a spiritual bend to it, ie, start misquoting scripture about how Biblical the cell group system is.
I use to be a CGL until I disagree with the way the CG is to be run. Since then my original congregation has splitted into to, one going the charismatic way, the other going the traditional way. Charismatic congregation insist that every member joins a CG, traditional congregation hopes that every member tries to join a CG. Can't speak for the Charismatic congregation 'cos I am not in it. Traditional congregation CG functions like a BS/discipleship group.
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For CHC they more overpowering for teens, check their grades, make sure they study, dun anyhow fark.. etc. was is more adult de, no such bull.
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The question: what is the outcome of CG, in these churches?Originally posted by Chin Eng:I think most churches has this system.
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I use to be a CGL until I disagree with the way the CG is to be run. Since then my original congregation has splitted into to, one going the charismatic way, the other going the traditional way. Charismatic congregation insist that every member joins a CG, traditional congregation hopes that every member tries to join a CG. Can't speak for the Charismatic congregation 'cos I am not in it. Traditional congregation CG functions like a BS/discipleship group.
many churches quarrel because of CG, yours is just one of the many churches I know split because of diff opinions in CG (may be CG is not the only reason, but is a key point of dispute.)
many churches abandoned the usual Bible Study groups and call it Cell Group. some gather and study the "purpose driven life" and call themselves CG; Some other churches replace the whole structure with CG, leaving behind the worship services on Sunday.
CG is supposed to grow and split into smaller groups, like the MLM, but from what I see, the split begins before it grows. May be I have not seen all and are mistaken.
Can CG possibly be a tool of the devil for spliting the church?
this is indeed a word of wisdom.Originally posted by Chin Eng:It is a good system insomuch that the church DO NOT impose a spiritual bend to it, ie, start misquoting scripture about how Biblical the cell group system is.
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I will only agree to a cell group, if and only if the Leader is trained in theology.
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My church started the CG ministry basing on FCBC's philosophies and books of Laurence Khong and Ralph Neighbour. In itself it is not wrong to base one's programme on a successful model. The problem happens when the model is seen to be God-ordained - ie cast-in-stone, unchangeable. I have major issues with the writers insisted on a 100% copy of the structure.Originally posted by sgdiehard:The question: what is the outcome of CG, in these churches?
many churches quarrel because of CG, yours is just one of the many churches I know split because of diff opinions in CG (may be CG is not the only reason, but is a key point of dispute.)
many churches abandoned the usual Bible Study groups and call it Cell Group. some gather and study the "purpose driven life" and call themselves CG; Some other churches replace the whole structure with CG, leaving behind the worship services on Sunday.
CG is supposed to grow and split into smaller groups, like the MLM, but from what I see, the split begins before it grows. May be I have not seen all and are mistaken.
Can CG possibly be a tool of the devil for spliting the church?
Success rates? MY OPINION ONLY: Well depending on how your look at it, you will get different interpretation. As with any given programme, there will be a level of success till a stagnation point. The stagnation point can be a physical one (ie church building cannot sustain the growth), or spiritual one (ie need a change in the "spiritual diet"). Either way, the buck stops there: ie the church stops growing. I see my the population of both the congregation remaining relatively the same over the years. People do come and go, but the potential is limited. The only way to do a physical growth is to embark on a different approach (ie megachurch style).
Back to my church's CG - the fact that there are CGs does not translate to a more caring church. I am actually see more b-itching (between pastor, some church members, leadership, etc) in the charismatic service than the traditional service. Here's not to say the traditional service is extremely holy - just a little more laid back. It is strange too, that I see some movement from charismatic to traditional recently, plus the trad svc has a fairly strong number of young people.
Tool of the devil??? A little too strong for me, ha ha. -
Not many around lah... but yes, a good head on the shoulder is important.Originally posted by Deportivo:I will only agree to a cell group, if and only if the Leader is trained in theology. -
Insurbordination?Originally posted by Chin Eng:I use to be a CGL until I disagree with the way the CG is to be run. Since then my original congregation has splitted into to, one going the charismatic way, the other going the traditional way.
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Don't call a group a "cell group" if you are only meeting for social purposes.
This is all too common in charismatic circles. -
Yup! Blind subordination is something that I do not advocate - I do not even want blind subordination from my family members - that's absolute stupidity...Originally posted by Icemoon:Insurbordination?
I have even told my sons - your father is NEVER always right.
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Unker you meant the G12 Cell Church concept is it?Originally posted by Chin Eng:My church started the CG ministry basing on FCBC's philosophies and books of Laurence Khong and Ralph Neighbour. In itself it is not wrong to base one's programme on a successful model. The problem happens when the model is seen to be God-ordained - ie cast-in-stone, unchangeable. I have major issues with the writers insisted on a 100% copy of the structure.
Success rates? MY OPINION ONLY: Well depending on how your look at it, you will get different interpretation. As with any given programme, there will be a level of success till a stagnation point. The stagnation point can be a physical one (ie church building cannot sustain the growth), or spiritual one (ie need a change in the "spiritual diet"). Either way, the buck stops there: ie the church stops growing. I see my the population of both the congregation remaining relatively the same over the years. People do come and go, but the potential is limited. The only way to do a physical growth is to embark on a different approach (ie megachurch style).
Back to my church's CG - the fact that there are CGs does not translate to a more caring church. I am actually see more b-itching (between pastor, some church members, leadership, etc) in the charismatic service than the traditional service. Here's not to say the traditional service is extremely holy - just a little more laid back. It is strange too, that I see some movement from charismatic to traditional recently, plus the trad svc has a fairly strong number of young people.
Tool of the devil??? A little too strong for me, ha ha.
Cheers -
yea...damn irritating when they keep stressing on the 3 rules...Originally posted by SingaporeMacross:It's once a week I assume?
Another thing I realise, that the control exerted on the members by leaders can sometimes be very overpowering...
no woman,no alchohol,etc etc....so nowadays all of the leaders have so-call corrupted the members's mind...do their bidding -
the precursor of the G12 ministry..... G12 is relatively newer.Originally posted by M©+square:Unker you meant the G12 Cell Church concept is it?
Cheers
the fcbc website has this statement:
"Interestingly, after the death of Judas, the 11 disciples filled the position of the 12th disciple in the person of Matthias (see Acts 1:20-26). Only then, did the Holy Spirit descend and empower them."
The implication here is that it is the completion of the appointment of the 12 disciples then the Holy Spirit was able to come down... - here's where I think that there was an attempt to "spiritualize" a management concept. -
Different Church call this differently, example Cell Groups, House Church, Care Group, Bible Study Group, Small Group Gatherings....etcOriginally posted by SingaporeMacross:Do all Christian churches have this? What's your opinion on it?
Don't think all Christian Churches have this in place, but think a lot of them does especially when to comes to the bigger ones.
personally feel one most effective use of this type of gathering is for small group support, in term of support like encouragement and prayers.
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Was in FCBC when they explained the G12 concept.Originally posted by Chin Eng:the precursor of the G12 ministry..... G12 is relatively newer.
the fcbc website has this statement:
"Interestingly, after the death of Judas, the 11 disciples filled the position of the 12th disciple in the person of Matthias (see Acts 1:20-26). Only then, did the Holy Spirit descend and empower them."
The implication here is that it is the completion of the appointment of the 12 disciples then the Holy Spirit was able to come down... - here's where I think that there was an attempt to "spiritualize" a management concept.
Logically, G12 will reap growth super fast IF all members are commited like the apostles did.
But when they start using verses as to support such movement/concept.
I frowned real hard.
Quite concern by the way it will run. I have friends there who have his Cell of only 4-5 members...for two years constant.
He's very discouraged because other G12s are doing well.
I wonder how many were stressed. -
but sometime the leader abuse their power
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Religion and Sociology is closely related, esp the studies of Church system.
Cell Group was started because of the needs in individual.
There was this study by Max Weber and later studies by sociologist, to briefly put across.
The smaller the church, the more emotional, kinship, unity, expressions, openness and warmth.
The bigger the church, the opposites from above - Less expressive, less warmth, cliches formed for unity.
Though bigger churches also do have those listed above, but because there are too many people. each person can only minister or cater to what his/her capability.
When a church gets big, there are bound to have many 'strangers' or people you are not close to or don't know. That is when everyone will search for their 'group' for security/secure their social circle.
Cell group is a way is a social security to many.
Of cos, it have it's benefits.
But ultimately, CG is about security - concern party, sharing, social interaction.
All social groups have it's benefits. -
if the purpose of a cell group is to facilitate bible study and a fellowship to encourage christians in their daily walk, i do not see the reason why the group leader is stressed and pressured just because his/her group only have 4-5 members. "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them" Matt 18:20Originally posted by M©+square:Was in FCBC when they explained the G12 concept.
Logically, G12 will reap growth super fast IF all members are commited like the apostles did.
But when they start using verses as to support such movement/concept.
I frowned real hard.
Quite concern by the way it will run. I have friends there who have his Cell of only 4-5 members...for two years constant.
He's very discouraged because other G12s are doing well.
I wonder how many were stressed.
otherwise, if the cell group is made for the purpose of expanding the church population through activities other than bible study (games, movie going, picnic, night safari, zoo tour, etc), ofcourse the leader will be pressured to get more people into the cell group. -
huh?Originally posted by ceecookie:but sometime the leader abuse their power
I understand you're 15 yr old?
So have you experienced any awkward situation in Cell Group?