WHAT IS A CELL GROUP?

A cell is a group of friends whose main focus is Jesus Christ.

Why do we use the word 'cell'?

You will be relieved to know we are not talking about prison cells.

The word refers to cells in the human body.
You have billions of cells in your body, with a huge back-up force in your bone marrow.

• These cells have a short life-span because they constantly divide and multiply.
  
• At the heart of every cell is the blueprint for continuation, a manual for the whole body (DNA).
  
• Each cell in your body is therefore a miniature of the whole body.
  
• When your cells are healthy, your body is healthy.

So we use the word "cell" to describe a small group of Christians who meet together to pray, worship and share life's practical concerns with each other. We believe that God wants billions of cells in 'the Body of Christ" - a term the Bible uses to describe God's People - His Church throughout the earth.

Jesus Himself must be the DNA in each cell - He gives the directions. Each cell group, with Christ in the midst, is a miniature of the whole company of Christians everwhere as well as a miniature of the local church community to which it belongs.

Healthy church cells grow and multiply. Healthy cells also make for healthy churches.

A cell group meeting

There will usually be a weekly get together in a home. When we gather in a cell meeting we want to experience Christ's presence because only Jesus can meet our deepest needs.

A weekly cell group meeting may include some or all of the following:

• An opportunity to relax and enjoy each other's company, perhaps over a meal.
  
• Worship with freedom for the Holy Spirit to minister to those present through prayer and spiritual gifts.
  
• Discussing a passage of the Bible together and applying it to our lives;
  
• Praying for local issues and those in need, and planning activities.

Cell is more than a weekly meeting

Cell is much more than a weekly meeting. It is a basic Christian community where we are able to share life together on many different levels and in many contexts. One of the highest priorities of cell is to introduce others to Jesus. With this in mind cell groups are outward looking.

Cell life is geared towards developing relationships with people currently outside the church. Members are actively involved in reaching out to others in the community, expressing the love of God in appropriate ways.

Each cell group has growth and multiplication as its goal from day one. We want family and friends, neighbours, strangers, work colleagues and visitors to come among us and encounter Jesus Christ for themselves.

When a cell has grown it will become two cells instead of one. Each cell group therefore has a vital part to play in our vision to pioneer cells and plant churches throughout the County.

Belonging to a cell group

You will be invited to a cell group as soon as you come among us. We hope this makes you feel welcome and helps you get to know a few people.

But there is more to it than that. If you decide that County Church is the church for you then belonging to a cell group is very important. Cell is more than a small group meeting in a home during the week - it is the church in miniature. Everything connected with our vision and activity at County Church is linked into and flows out of cell group activity.

Cells are not part of our church programme, they are the church programme. It would be impossible to be a living part of this church without being a cell member.

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