The salvation of 3000 souls does not tell you how their growth was cared for by the disciples. You’re simply misapplying Scripture here.

In addition, it seems these cell groups operate along the same premises of traditional AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) groups. You don’t find this the least bit disconcerting?

Cell groups are an extrabiblical invention as shown through a careful study of Scripture. The concept of the cell group also breaks down the family structure by spiriting away each segment of the family into different groups.

It’s apparent from your entry here that your accountability is to the cell group itself rather than the church. The accountability to the church is only indirect, if it exists at all. The bond you establish with other Christians is also rather exclusive to the cell group. It’s like little cliques that only purports to be part of the greater whole.

It’s interesting to note that the idea of a cell group is a relatively new phenomenon. 50 years ago such a thing didn’t exist.

“In addition, it seems these cell groups operate along the same premises of traditional AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) groups.”

That’s all I have to say. I know there’s no point in wasting any mental energy engaging in a debate on the merits of the cell church model because some ears are deaf to reason and truth.

It’s not identical, but it does establish the Biblical precedent for meeting both corporately and in small fellowships – without “splintering” or “fragmenting” the body.

The salvation of 3000 souls does not tell you how their growth was cared for by the disciples. You?re simply misapplying Scripture here.

It is very clear from Acts 2 that “meeting house to house” was a very integral part of how the early church worked.

And the mathematical ratio of 1:200 or so remains, which handily refutes your unfounded assertion that the Bible says it’s paramount for a pastor to know each member of the congregation. It’s simply not possible. It wasn’t possible for the mega-church at Jerusalem, so you cannot make it a requirement today.

In addition, it seems these cell groups operate along the same premises of traditional AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) groups. You don?t find this the least bit disconcerting?

I don’t know anything about AA groups. I’m unqualified to compare and contrast that with cell groups. But even if they behave similarly, the burden is on you to show that their practices and premises are wrong, which you’ve utterly failed to do.

Cell groups are an extrabiblical invention as shown through a careful study of Scripture.

I’ll have to take your word for it, as I’ve yet to actually see a careful study of Scripture demonstrating this.

The concept of the cell group also breaks down the family structure by spiriting away each segment of the family into different groups.

What are you talking about? Where did you get that from? My wife and I are in the same group. Our children are too young to participate, but older (say, 10+ or so) kids are welcome, encouraged, even expected, to be members of the same group as their parents.

It?s apparent from your entry here that your accountability is to the cell group itself rather than the church. The accountability to the church is only indirect, if it exists at all.

Uhhh, NO.

Obviously the people who know me the best will be the first to recognize if I start to backslide and rebel, and it only makes sense for them to be the “two or three” to confront me about it. If that’s ineffective, it goes to the elders.

Our church has sadly had to exercise discipline in a handful of cases over the past couple of years. Usually the offenders either straighten up or leave of their own accord, but there have been a handful of cases when it’s gone beyond that.

The bond you establish with other Christians is also rather exclusive to the cell group. It?s like little cliques that only purports to be part of the greater whole.

I have a closer relationship with the members of my small group than I do with most other people in the church. Is that so odd? How many close friends do you think I can have anyway?

But it’s not universally true. Many (most?) people are also good friends with others, in different groups. It’s a little more difficult to form those relationships, just because there is limited opportunity to interact sometimes, but the relationships absolutely do exist. We do other things besides just have cell groups. You’re just making stuff up.

The trick is to ask yourself (yourselves), “where is the center”? If the ministry is PULPIT CENTERED, then elders can keep approving material until they receive honorary doctorates–they are trying to protect the church. If the ministry is PERSON CENTERED, then the Incarnational (person to person) ministry reproduces the Great Commission and will be effective as demanded by the nature of cell groups.

So: what does your cell group want to reproduce? If it is “the church”, then the pulpit will be the center. If it is “the body of Christ” the center will be the people Jesus loves.

Seeing what God is doing today,
james