"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot….." Ecclesiastes 3:1-2
All cell groups are temporary! Experience has shown that groups which stay together too long tend to become inward looking and stagnate. Therefore, it is our objective to multiply each group into two new ones over the course of 1 to 2 years. A cell group will begin with 6 – 8 people and multiply into two groups when it reaches 12 – 15 people in regular attendance.
A cell group will pass through 5 recognised stages of group life:
The following details describe what can be expected at each stage. Note: We are not aiming for conflict, it is just a recognised stage of group life!
There are 5 phases in the life of a cell:
Focus: Towards the group. Members focus on the idea of a cell.
A new cell is formed. Cell members begin to get acquainted and to evaluate if they feel a sense of belonging to the cell. This could also be a ‘shake-down' period following cell multiplication. During the first 8 weeks lots of ‘coming and going' is likely as people decide whether they are in their ‘comfort zone'. Gradually the group stabilises.
Focus: Towards self. Members focus on what the cell can do for them.
Attendance should stabilise during this period. Relationships are being built, trust gained, confidence in the group and its leadership is being tested and developed. Members are developing a sense of belonging, finding their own identity and significance within the group, and learning to live with each other, ‘warts and all'! Practical note: To ensure your group survives the ‘Conflict Stage', take all conflicts to Jesus – both inside and outside group time.
Focus: Towards Christ. Members lay down personal needs and focus on Christ.
This is a period of living in love together. It introduces deep times of building up one another, with spiritual gifts exercised in a special manner. At this time the cell seriously begins to reach out to unbelievers. Visitation teams are formed and begin their ministry.
Focus: Towards the lost. Christ turns the attention of the cell outwards.
Outreach is the key focus of this stage. The Visitation teams are engrossed in their ministries, and growth is solidified as new people are brought into the mix of a stabilised community.
‘In the development of a cell group, there comes that time when evangelistic mission becomes a must. This is the critical moment when the group becomes a cell either in reality or in name only, beyond which it either grows or dies.' (Anglican Cell Report p.43)
Focus: Towards growth. The cell now experiences cell multiplication.
Once the cell group has grown to between 12 and 15 members in regular attendance, the cell is ready to multiply into 2 groups. The Apprentice Leader should be ready at this stage to take on a group in their own right. The leader must prepare the group for change – people should be aware from the beginning that there will be an end to the group. Multiplication is a time for celebration. The leader must help make multiplication a pleasant occasion for everyone, backed up by strong support from the Cell Coach and church leadership. A typical cell may expect to multiply within 1 to 2 years of its formation.
The position of Apprentice Cell Leader is crucial for the multiplication of cells. "No group should ever be launched without both a Shepherd and Shepherd Intern from the very beginning." (Where do we go from here? p.271). Therefore, as part of the multiplication process, it is necessary to recruit a new Apprentice for each of the 2 new groups being formed!
A healthy cell group would, in normal circumstances, expect to multiply between 1 and 2 years from starting. Under special circumstances, e.g. a new cell-plant starting with less people, multiplication may take longer. ‘Experience reveals that any cell which lives beyond 12 months usually exists without a mission or purpose' (Cell Leader Intern Guidebook p.74). Such cells will usually stagnate, lose vitality and eventually die. Cells that fail to multiply may be re-organised to enable them to become effective.
A cell should always begin with 4 – 8 persons and never grow larger than 15.
Not only does each cell have a lifecycle, but there are also natural cycles of activity within the Life Span of a cell. The very first meeting of a new cell should spend much longer than normal on the ice breaker/getting acquainted activity. Periodically, the normal cell meeting should be replaced by a more light-hearted, fun event.
This could be:
Avoid events where social interaction is limited, e.g. a trip to the cinema.
Such events provide a break from the regular programme and allow more time for general relationship building, rest and relaxation. They also provide ideal opportunities to invite unsaved friends to share in the community of Christ in a non-threatening way.
At the end of the Lifecycle a special celebration event will be appropriate – celebrating successful cell multiplication!
E8.9 Cell Lifecycle - Version 3 – Apr 11