THE CHURCH OF PENTECOST UK

THE NATIONAL HOME CELL ROAD MAP

THE SENSITISATION PERIOD

In the interim report of the National Home Cell Coordinating Committee, a schedule was provided to show the mile stones that will guide our progress from introduction through sensitisation and training, until the Cell system has become fully operational in the UK. This document1 is a word version of the chart schedule. More importantly, it is the details of what needs to be done on a weekly basis during the recommended sensitisation period of 12 weeks.

The architects of the Cell system in the COP strongly recommend that formation of new Cells should not start until a thorough sensitisation period has been completed. The slogan has been, No sensitisation No Cells. This means that the success of the system will be judged on the nature of our Sensitisation. The Sensitisation involves a 10-15 minutes promotional presentation that is to be done after worship and before the sermon on every Sunday during the period. The content of each weeks presentation is presented below. Therefore, we also, strongly recommend to the National Executive Council that this process be followed in the COP-UK, for the system to succeed.

Also, we recommend a weeks fasting and prayers for the success of the Cell system in the COP-UK (date to be provided in June).

THE 12-WEEK SENSITISATION PERIOD

WEEK 1 Assume that this is the first time the concept is being re-introduced in all local Assemblies. It is important to remind members that in the past, there have been various attempts to run the Home Cells in the Church of Pentecost Church. However, either the Cells system has not worked well or the Cells are not receiving the maximum benefits. It is necessary to discuss why these attempts failed. Perception that militating against Home Cells in the COP: Some people say

15th April

The document is based on the Sensitisation Booklet that the CoP has adopted to be used wherever it is applicable, throughout the church worldwide. It has been edited.

that it is not suitable for the COP because; 1. Pastor McKeown did not do Home Cells. 2. It is not African/Ghanaian 3. It is for new churches but nor for well established churches. 4. The Church will split. 5. There will be no meeting places. WEEK 2 22 April The sensitization today looks at the Concept itself. What is a Home Cell Group? 1. It is the grouping of the body of believers into small units for the purpose of worship, experiencing God, ministering to one another, evangelism and ministering to the community. 2. A Cell has an optimum size of up to 15 people after which the group divides to form two viable Cells. The growth and split must result from conversion of unbelievers rather than addition of church members. 3. Cell Membership is open to all church members, normally within geographical areas, and homogenous units. 4. The Cell is the primary unit of the Church where the real work of the church happens. It is the primary place for winning believers, discipling, training, nurturing and empowering them to become disciples. 5. Cells are tiny units of the church doing everything that the Church should be doing while remaining part of the overall body. Hallmarks of the Cells: The Cells exist to: (a) Worship (b) Nurture (c) Fellowship
nd

and (d) to do Outreach

Distribute the forms Knowing You, Knowing Me to all for them to fill. Allow some 5 minutes for interactions. This is a form that will be used for the registration of members into Cells and another for the registration of homes. WEEK 3 April 29th The Cell Vision - Jesus and the Apostles On this day, we will explain how Jesus, the Apostles and the early church used the Cell system. It is important for all members of the Church especially, critics of the concept, to understand that the Cell system has been used since the begging of the New Testament church. Jesus and the Cell Vision The Church began with Jesus calling the twelve disciples. His master plan was to create a small intimate fellowship of disciples around Him so that He can share His life with them. It was in this small Cell gathering that Jesus built relationships with them. He taught, trained, imparted authority and power and sent them out to minister and to witness (Mark 3:14-15). 2

The Cell Vision after Pentecost The life and vigour of the early Church were maintained by the large corporate gatherings in the Temple and complemented with the small fellowship meetings in believers homes. As a result; A vital Church endowed with supernatural power grew in Jerusalem (Acts 2:43). They knew how to construct their lives upon the Word of God. They knew how to create close fellowship with one another so that no one was in need. They knew how to reach out in revival power to the lost and to restore damaged lives. They knew how to draw the attention of both God and man Acts 2:47. The Cell Vision after the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple: The Church grew rapidly and spread throughout the entire known world of that time. They erected no Church buildings of their own. The secret behind their explosive growth was that they continued to meet in smaller groups at homes. And were able to minister to each others needs. The Cell Vision throughout the history of the Church Whenever the Holy Spirit needed to move in spiritual power, the phenomenon of cells was used as the structure to convey his restorative works a prime example is the ministry of John Wesley and his classes and societies for believers. Undoubtedly, the Churches that are experiencing explosive growth throughout the world over the last thirty years or so, are all Cells-based Churches. We need to continue with the Distribution and collection of the forms after the presentation. WEEK 4 May 6th On this day, we shall discuss the reasons for the Home Cell groups. Why do we need the Home Cells? Why Home cells? 1. Jesus taught the disciples in homes. 2. It was the model used by the early church (Acts 2: 42-46). 3. Cell Churches are vehicles for effective discipleship. 4. Cell Groups provide one of the best places of evangelism. 5. Cell Groups are vehicles that close the wide-open back door in our Churches. 6. Cell Groups enhance leadership training and pastoral care. 7. With the Cell system we are more able to survive persecution. 3

8. In the Cells, every member get personalised (individual) attention. 9. Cells are the backbone of a Church that ensures that the ministry of the church continues. 10. Cells encourage the participation of all members. 11. Cells facilitate growth in Church membership and Church offerings. Distribute and collect forms WEEK 5 May 13
th

In week 5, we shall discuss what the benefits of the Home Cell are. Some Benefits of Home Cell. In the Home Cells we are better able to; 1. Experience the life and presence of Christ in a small group context. 2. Offer care to new believers and help them in their first steps of the Christian life. 3. Provide fellowship and personalised pastoral care to each of the members of the Cell. 4. To penetrate the community with the message of salvation. The Cell is the main strategic means of evangelism in the Church. 5. Indentify the needs and provide social assistance to members. 6. Offer more opportunities for the formation of leadership through experience. 7. To serves our community with acts of love especially, in needy areas. (Distribute and collect forms) WEEK 6 May 20
th

This week we shall discuss the similarities and differences between a Cell Church and a Traditional Church. Cell Church versus Traditional Church 1. A traditional Church is programme centred but a Cell Church is people centred. 2. A traditional Church is built on the strength of its magnificent programmes. It must be noted that the Church is not just about programmes; it is about people. 3. A traditional Church is building centred. This is where everything happens. Once the meeting is over and the building vacated, then Church is over for another week, or until the next meeting. 4. The Cell church is community centred not building centred. The central Sunday service becomes a celebration of what God has done in the week and a preparation for more of the same during the coming week. 5. The traditional Church sends the signal to people to come! (to our Church). The Cell Church message goes to the people. NB: By this time the Presbytery should demarcate/group members into the 4

various Cells based on the forms collected. This should be done after service. WEEK 7 Grouping Members into Cells. Based on the groupings made in the previous week, let the formed Cells meet for 15 minutes and discuss the benefits of Home Cell which is a recap of the presentation of week 5. This is an opportunity for those who have not filled the forms to do so and join one of the groups that are being formed. WEEK 8 June 3rd By now, the Presbytery should have appointed Cell Leaders, Assistant Cell leaders. Also, districts are to appoint coordinators by this date. On this day we need to break the Church into groups according to the forms received and engage members in discussions on how they intend to run the Cells. They can consider meeting places, time of meetings, etc. Let them spend time, say, 5 minutes to pray for the success of the cells. By now, Handbills, Flyers and posters (A4 Sheet computer printout acceptable) must be going round or displayed. HANDBILLS, POSTERS, FLYERS could be distributed to the various groups to be displayed or distributed within the catchment areas. NB: Handbills, Posters and Flyers would be provided for display. These could be translated into various languages. WEEK 9 June 10
th

May 27th

Reporting: Home Cell Register and Finance Records. Introduce to Home Cell Register and Home Cell Cash Book and explain how they are to be used. Let the Cells appoint their own Secretary, Finance Secretary and Treasurer even though the Cells have not yet started. The basic forms for record keeping should be the Home Cell Register and Cash Record Book. A register should be kept at the various Home Cells and roll calls are to be taken at each meeting. Cell Leaders / Secretaries should mark these registers on Sundays as well, to deal with the problem where members attend Cell meetings but absent themselves from Sunday services.

June 17th

WEEK 10 Leaders Training The Pastors should start to organise Cell Leaders, Assistant Cell Leaders, Secretaries, Finance Recorders, etc. and start training them. The training should include lessons on Leading Cell Groups, Leading a Bible Study, Caring/Shepherding Responsibilities, Visitation, and Discipleship, What is to be done during all meetings. 5

NB: A manual would be provided for this purpose. Evangelising through the Home Cell Group This week, we discuss how to evangelise through the Home Cell Groups. With the Home Cell groups in place, majority of decisions for salvation will be made within the Cells because the Cells are the main vehicles by which the Gospel reaches the community. Some time tested strategies to accelerate the harvest of souls include: 1. Cell members inviting their friends to the Cell meeting to enjoy the love and compassion of Christ through the Cell members. 2. Setting targets for Cell members to reach the unsaved for Christ. 3. Locating vulnerable people The sick, those with problems (eg. marital) to attend the Cell meetings for spiritual and moral support. 4. Invite friends and relatives to special meetings of the cell and the Church. 5. People won in the Cell are to be invited to the Sunday Service to reaffirm their salvation. 6. Prayer Triplets: How it works. One person finds two other persons to join him/her to pray. Each person chooses three people they know who are not already Christians for them to give their lives to Jesus Christ. The group then shares the names among of the people they are praying for with each other. The list will consist of nine (9) people. The group meets one hour per week for four weeks, to ask God to save these people. Some important things to remember when the Prayer Triplets are praying include: Fasting, Intercession and spiritual warfare, so that all strings binding the unconverted person will be broken. At the end of the four weeks, each of the people prayed for is contacted and shown the love of God towards them. WEEK 11 June 24
th

On this day we will discuss what makes an effective Cell? For a Home Cell to be effective, the following points are essential for all members. Be punctual Be polite and gracious. Encourage everyone to participate actively and avoid idleness and the culture of silence. Always show gratitude to the host (owner of meeting place). Speak loud enough so that all can hear. Fully prepare everything you want to share, remembering that what you want to accomplish in the Cell has to be conquered first in prayer. Always encourage the Cell to bring new members to the next meeting. 6

 Do not be afraid to pray for miracles to happen. Maintain a good (personal) testimony. Leaders should never borrow money from any member of the Cell. Be respectful and courteous to every member of the cell. Relate appropriately with every member of the Cell particularly when all are together. When bringing a person of the opposite sex, ask somebody to accompany you. When you have to visit a member of the Cell (particularly the opposite sex), take someone with you. Let all visits start and finish on time. Do not delegate responsibilities to people who are not ready for them. Never discuss anything that a Cell member has told you in confidence. Do not listen to negative comments about other people. Be an example of faith to all the members of the Cell (Heb. 11:6) WEEK 12 July 1st This must be the final sensitisation. It should be a recap of all promotions within the 12 weeks. Allow time for questions. The Pastor/Presiding Elder should pray for all Cell Leaders and Officers during the Church Service. NOW WE ARE READY TO GO!!!