Myths and Truths of the Cell Church: Key Principles that Make or Break Cell Ministry Book

Most of the modern day cell church movement is biblical, dynamic, and positive. Sadly, errors and false assumptions have also crept in to confuse and lead astray an otherwise healthy movement. Joel Comiskey, in this ground-breaking book, exposes the myths of the cell church movement and then offers positive principles and insights to guide churches and leaders on the right path.

Each chapter begins with a unique insight from a worldwide cell church leader who will share decades of wisdom in working with cell groups. These leaders include: Ben Wong, Robert Lay, Mario Vega, Bill Beckham, Abe Huber, Jimmy Seibert, Scott Boren, Werner Kniesel, Randall Neighbour, Jim Egli, Steve Cordle, and Les Brickman. You will enjoy the insights of these leaders in the cell movement.

This book will help you avoid pitfalls and apply biblical, time-tested principles that will guide you into fruitful cell ministry. Whether you're starting out for the first time in cell ministry or a seasoned veteran, this book will give you the tools to help your ministry stay fresh and fruitful.

Here are a sample of the chapters:

CHAPTER 1: VISION MYTHS AND TRUTHS

Myth: The Cell Church Strategy Is a Mega-Church Strategy

Truth: Few Cell Churches Reach Mega-Church Status

Myth: The Cell Church Does Not Work

Truth: Cell Church Brings Health, Life, and Growth

Myth: Cell Church Is a Fad

Truth: The Cell Church Has Deep Roots

CHAPTER 2: MODEL MYTHS AND TRUTHS

Myth: Following a Particular Model Will Bring Success

Truth: Apply Principles to Your Specific Situation

Myth: The Number 12 Has Special Significance in the Organization of Groups

Truth: The Principles of Evangelism and Discipleship Make Cell Ministry Work

Myth: Once You Have a Model, Stick by It

Truth: Innovate and Change the Model as the Spirit Leads

Myth: Cell Church Focuses Exclusively on the Cell and Celebration

Truth: The Cell Church Focuses on Key Systems that Produce Life in the Cell and Celebration

Myth: Change the Church by Criticizing It

Truth: Let People See It Worked Out

CHAPTER 3: CHURCH GROWTH MYTHS AND TRUTHS

Myth: Church Growth Is the Driving Motivation for Becoming a Cell Church

Truth: Theology Is the True Foundation upon Which to Build a Cell Church

Myth: If I Choose to Become a Cell Church, My Church Will Grow

Truth: Only Jesus Can Give True Organic Growth

Myth: If My Church Does Not Grow, I'm Not Successful

Truth: Success Should be Measured by Faithful Effort, Rather than Results

Myth: The Cultural Context Should Dictate the Ministry Strategy

Truth: The Bible Critiques What Is Good and Bad in Each Culture

CHAPTER 4: LEADERSHIP MYTHS AND TRUTHS

Myth: Leading People into Cell Church Is Similar to Leading People into Other Church Programs

Truth: Leading a Cell Church Requires a Different Kind of Leadership

Myth: It's Okay to Simply Add Cell Ministry to What You Are Already Doing

Truth: A Pastor Needs to Make Cell Ministry the Central Priority

Myth: Lead Pastors Need to be Available to Everyone

Truth: Effective Cell Church Leaders Delegate

Myth: There Are Fewer Problems in the Cell Church than Traditional Ministry

Truth: Cell Church Ministry Reveals Problems Often Hidden under the Busyness of Traditional Ministry

Myth: All Pastors Must Lead Cell Groups

Truth: Not All Pastors Will Lead a Cell Group. Avoid Cell Church Legalism

Myth: If You Fail, Try Something Else

Truth: Failing Will Lead You to Discover What Works Best in Your Context

CHAPTER 5: CELL FOCUS MYTHS AND TRUTHS

Myth: The Cell Church Is All about the Cell

Truth: The Goal of the Cell Church Is to Make Disciples

Myth: View Everyone in the Church as a Leader

Truth: Everyone Should Be a Disciple-Maker

CHAPTER 6: CELL GROUP MYTHS AND TRUTHS

Myth: Cells Are an Extension of the Sunday Service

Truth: The Cell Is the Church

Myth: Cells Should Encompass All Small Groups

Truth: Start with a Quality Cell Definition

Myth: All Groups Must be Homogeneous

Truth: Allow Homogeneity to Naturally Develop as Cells Multiply

Myth: One Person Should Be the Designated Host

Truth: A Shared Hosting Arrangement Is Often the Best Option

Myth: Asking Everyone to Be in a Cell Stifles the Use of Spiritual Gifts

Truth: The Cell Group is the Best Place to Discover Spiritual Gifts

CHAPTER 7: COMMUNITY MYTHS AND TRUTHS

Myth: Cells Are Only about Community

Truth: Cells Emphasize Community, Evangelism and Multiplication

Myth: The Cell Meeting Will Meet All the Needs

Truth: The Cell Meeting Is Only One Aspect of Community Life

CHAPTER 8: EVANGELISM MYTHS AND TRUTHS

Myth: The Focus of the Cell is Entirely Evangelistic

Truth: Effective Cells Need a Strong Core of Believers

Myth: Evangelism in the Cell Church Is Only Relational

Truth: Don't Limit Yourself to One Evangelistic Method

Myth: If the Cell Emphasizes Evangelism and Multiplication, It Won't Grow in Community

Truth: Evangelism that Leads to Multiplication Enhances the Community in the Group

CHAPTER 9: MULTIPLICATION MYTHS AND TRUTHS

Myth: All Cells Must Multiply within Six Months

Truth: Multiplication Rates Depend on Receptivity Levels

Myth: Shut Down a Cell Group That Has Not Multiplied within One Year

Truth: Keep Working with Cell Groups That Are Not Growing

Myth: A Cell Multiplies When It Reaches Fifteen People

Truth: Cells Multiply When a Disciple-Maker is Ready to Lead the New Group

Myth: When God Wants the Cell to Multiply It Will Do So Naturally

Truth: It's Best to Make Clear Plans for Multiplication

Myth: Multiplication Destroys the Relationships in the Group

Truth: Relationships Can Be Maintained after Multiplication

CHAPTER 10: COACHING MYTHS AND TRUTHS

Myth: Finding the Right Coaching Model Is the Key to Success

Truth: The Relationship between the Coach and the Coachee Is More Important Than the Structure

Myth: Coaches Only Listen and Ask Questions

Truth: The Coach Seeks to Equip the Group Leader with Whatever It Takes

CHAPTER 11: TRANSITION MYTHS AND TRUTHS

Myth: Get Rid of the Programs Right Away

Truth: Wait until You Have Enough Cells to Cut Out Programs

Myth: Jump into Cell Church Immediately

Truth: It's Best to Have a Long Term Transition Plan

Myth: You Must Start the Transition with One Prototype

Truth: There are Various Ways to Transition

CHAPTER 12: CHURCH PLANTING MYTHS AND TRUTHS

Myth: The Focus Should Be on the Success of a Singular Church

Truth: Planting New Smaller Cell Churches Is Desirable

Myth: The Church Starts When the Celebration Service Starts

Truth: The Church Starts When the First Cell Begins

Myth: Open the Celebration Service as Soon as Possible

Truth: Wait until There Are Enough People in Cells to Start Weekly Celebration Services

Myth: You Must Start a Weekly Celebration Service

Truth: Some Cell Churches Will Never Meet Weekly in Celebration