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Applying these understandings of a "cell" to the Home Group helps to: illustrate something of the dynamics and potential available through a Home Group program for a Christian church. ARE HOME GROUPS ANOTHER NEW FAD?Home Groups are not just a new trendy idea for churches. In one form or another, they appear to be as old as the Christian church itself. The pattern is illustrated in the recorded examples of the early church (e.g. Acts 2:46; 5:42 12:12). The Apostle Paul was both involved in home meetings (Acts 20:20) and also addressed them in his letters (Col. 4:151 1 Cor. 16:9, Philemon 2). Of course, Jesus worked closely with a small group and He was involved in home meetings (e.g. Mark 2:1-2; 9.33-37). THE VALUE OF HOME GROUPSDiscipling: Home groups provide a tremendous basis for the nurture and growth of Christian disciples. The small group allows for close and regular contact between Christians at various stages of their faith walk.Leadership & Church Growth: The Home Group can provide a vital training ground for leader-ship. Each group should - in addition to the leader - have one or more leaders-in-training. The cell group also provides for the multiplication of the priest's pastoral ministry. Both these factors give scope for church growth. Body-Life Ministry: Home Groups provide a structure in which the ministry of care, compassion, restoration and healing can be readily exercised. In the small group there is the opportunity to minister to one another, teach one another, pray for one another, and bear one another's burdens. Evangelism: Every group should have evangelism as one of its goals, They may work towards this goal through reaching out to people around them, inviting inquirers to appropriate cell group activities, ministering Christ's love and compassion and being diligent in prayer. The Home Group can also be an equipping, encouragement and support base. For members able to witness in their work, home and social environment. Ministering to Ministers: Those involved consistently in ministry - both clergy and laity -need a secure and reliable base where they can receive the ministry of prayer, encouragement and support. A Home Group can effectively meet that need. ESTABLISHING HOME CELL GROUPSIn setting out to establish a Home Group program, Parish leadership must first of all determine the goals for the program. What should Home Groups achieve in the corporate life of the parish, as well as in the individual lives of members? Determining this enables decisions to be made concerning:
The following comments address each of these issues: Constitution of Groups The formation and membership of groups within a parish can be mixed and varied. For example, the membership of a group may be determined on the basis of geographic location, life stage (e.g. young marrieds, retirees), age, gender, ministry area, etc. The manner in which this is determined depends very much upon the goals and expectations for the program. Similarly, it may be appropriate for membership to be by self-selection, or people may be allocated to groups by the leadership - or indeed, by a combination of both. Meeting Times and Places It may be decided that all Home Groups meet on the one night - or there may be variations, including the provision of day groups. Length of meetings should be kept within mutually agreed limits. It is usually preferable for meetings to be in private homes, rather than church property. The homes chosen should be ones where meetings can progress without undue disturbance and where there would not be a sense of intrusion. Selection of Leaders The selection of leaders depends in part upon the goals of the program. However, in general, leaders should be people who are:
Administrative Requirements A parish Home Group program requires administration and maintenance, which should be well planned and co-ordinated. It is vital that groups are an integrated part of the wider fellowship. To facilitate this, it is important that group leaders meet regularly with the designated parish leadership. Additional to this it may be deemed appropriate for the group leaders to report regularly in a designated format concerning the membership, ministry and other dynamics of the group. The parish office will retain a register of groups, venues and membership, which will require regular updating. Individual Group Programs The reading of Acts 2:42:47 reveals to us a vibrant growing church where the following elements were evident:
Many have found it useful to develop their home group on this pattern, where each of these elements may be included. The balance at each meeting should depend upon the leading of the Holy Spirit. Beware of establishing your own stagnant ritual! The stage of the group's life can, in part, determine the balance. For example, when a group is in its formative stages more time usually needs to be devoted to the fellowshipping and sharing. When it has reached a stage of mutual trust and affection, then mutual ministry tends to become of greater importance. GROUP DIVISIONIdeally, Home Groups should have a constant outlook and expectation for growth. They are not simply a holy "bless me" group. A process for division should be developed within the parish program with which all groups are acquainted. It would' normally be supervised by the Parish leadership. Division should be anticipated when optimum numbers of members is exceeded - usually somewhere between 12 and 20 - but is dependent upon the goals and structure of the program. Finally be assured that a Home Group program has a tremendous: potential as a means of discipleship, growth, vitality and ministry. However, their full potential will be attained only as they are effectively developed and administered as an integrated part of the whole program of the local church.
Published by the
National Executive of February 1995 Copies of this pamphlet, and pamphlets on other topics, can be obtained from: ARMA (Vic), PO Box 123, Chelsea, Vic, 3196 We welcome reproduction if desired, provided the content is not altered and acknowledgement of the source is quoted
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Send mail to Anthony Stevens with questions or
comments about this web site.
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"Home Cell Groups", "Home Fellowship Groups", "Home
Groups", "Prayer Groups" are all names that may variously be applied to the
regular gathering in homes of small groups of church members for prayer, praise,
fellowship and study. The analogy from biology, physics and political science, of the term
"cell" used in connection with these gatherings, is rich and
meaningful.
