The Cell Group Model

Share via:

One of the first books I read about small group ministry was Successful Home Cell Groups by Dr. David Yonggi Cho, the fantastic story of the “smallest and largest” church in the world, the Full Gospel Central Church in Seoul, Korea.  This served as my introduction to the Cell Church model in 1988.  In the years since then Ralph Neighbour and now Joel Comiskey have provided a steady stream of resources for cell group ministry.

According to Comiskey, a cell is a “group of three to fifteen people who meet weekly outside the church building for the purpose of evangelism, community, and spiritual growth with the goal of multiplication.”  Each of the components are important and must be present in an authentic cell group ministry.

  • Cell groups meet regularly.
  • Spiritual growth is a fundamental purpose.
  • Community, a genuine sense of connection formed through the intimacy of a smaller group (3 to 15) is essential.
  • Penetration evangelism is an intentional aspect of the cell group ministry.  The group exists for the purpose of spiritual growth and reaching out.
  • Multiplication is expected.  When a group grows (through evangelism) it is anticipated that like every healthy cell it will multiply.

In addition to Comiskey’s very extensive collection of books you’ll also find a comprehensive set of helpful articles on his website.  If you want to learn how to implement the cell group model you’ll find everything you need.

As I caution on every review of a model or strategy, there are no problem-free solutions.  Clearly the cell group strategy is a slow and steady growth model.  There’s nothing quick about it.  And I’d also say that proponents of the model are often extremely passionate in their commitment to it and sometimes quick to point out the inadequacies of strategies that are more willing to choose speed of connection or lowering the bar in terms of who can lead a group.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email