Small Group Models

Cell Groups

Proponent: Touch Outreach Ministries, Wellspring Church


Description


The Cell Group models views small groups as the basic unit of a church congregation, much like an organic cell is the basic unit of a human body. Thus, small groups are not treated as "one program among many," but are necessary. Four key items make up the DNA of a cell group: worship, edification, relational evangelism, and discipleship. And if operating properly, each cell group will grow and multiply on its own, transferring this DNA from group to group.

Cell groups usually have between 5 and 15 members; they prefer to meet weekly in addition to "doing life together" between gatherings.


Advantages

Strength 1:Cell groups are intentional about creating full-bodied disciples of Christ.
Strength 2:Cell groups are a practical and effective way to build a culture of discipleship within a local church.
Strength 3:Cell groups focus on relational evangelism and are a proven way to grow the kingdom of God.

Disdvantages

Weakness 1:Elevating the importance of small groups beyond other ministries sometimes causes cell groups to withdraw from the rest of the church and become isolated.
Weakness 2:The cell structure lacks flexibility and can be rigid within an overall small-groups ministry.
Weakness 3:The emphasis on evangelism and numerical growth can potentially limit the level of trust and intimacy within a group.




Free Market Groups

Proponent

New Life Church
National Community Church

Description

Groups form around specific interests, topics, or affinities. The goal is to transform an interest group into a spiritual community through relationships and spiritual practices. Groups may be large or small, and topics are developed by the leader.

A key assumption behind this model is that people don't want to be told what to do. They want choices. Another assumption is that, like businesses in a free-market economy, healthy groups will flourish while unhealthy groups will die. As a result, churches should encourage a diversity of small groups and allow things to thrive or whither naturally.

Advantages

Strength 1:Starting a group is easy, and groups are ideally formatted for fellowship and relational development.
Strength 2:Effective for evangelism because the groups are organized around hobbies or common interests.
Strength 3:Leaders form the vision for their groups based on their own individual passions and skills, rather than adapting to the church's vision.

Disdvantages

Weakness 1:A broad definition of small groups can over-inflate the number of people actually participating in meaningful discipleship.
Weakness 2:Groups may not be focused on spiritual formation and growth.
Weakness 3:Groups are often transitory, which can be a detriment to any genuine intimacy and connection between members.


Info gathered from smallgroups.com