HOME CELL GROUP DEPARTMENT
(Discipleship Ministry)

Statement of purpose
Philosophy of ministry
Strategy of ministry
Program
Ministry personnel
Transferable principles

Statement of purpose

The Home Cell Group Ministry at the Jesus Lord of the Harvest Fellowship exist for a four-fold purpose:

• To be the discipling arm of the church to produce multipliers fully equipped to do the basic ministries
• To produce effective Lay-Pastors (Cell Group Leaders) to meet the growing needs of shepherding of the church
• To produce and/or acquire study series materials needed and designed to build up the members
• To release believers into the life and people flow of the church

Philosophy of ministry

1. People are precious to God and therefore every stage that they undergo in the faith life matters with God and that includes discipleship.
2. Believers need support groups smaller in size than that of the congregation where they will find security, acceptance, creativity, success etc. (Maslow's basic human needs) as well as accountability.
3. People may attend the church for preaching, teaching, and doctrine but they will stay committed if they know that the church is really sincere and able to respond to their needs and hurts as well through meaningful relationships.
4. Discipleship is not a program but a process and therefore involves and takes time.
5. Believers' lives are changed as they develop and grow through meaningful relationships.
6. Leadership and stewardship of the local church vision within small group is essential.

Strategy of ministry

The Home Cell Departrnent is a subset of the ten-fold church strategy namely:

(4)Small Group Participation
(6 partly) Training/Development and
(10) Encouragement/Mentoring.

These involve the structuring of the church into small groups, finding the right leadership in each small groups, providing training and teaching materials as well and a host to become the place of meeting.

Program

The primary ministry efforts through which the Home Cell Ministry is facilitated are the following:

Cell Groups
People in the church are grouped into small number of about 8-10 in their geographical area of residence and meets every Friday of the week. Instruction in the word of God, fellowshipping, building of meaningful relationships, immediate support group, prayer and discussion to express themselves etc. There are other Cell Groups (Small Groups) which could be an interest group, office or factory or ministry group etc.

Cell Leaders Training
A three-level training designed to give those gifted, skilled, talented and impassioned lay-pastors the opportunity to be trained as leaders and/or form part of the Home Cell Department.

Cell Leaders Training Level 1
- Basic training about Cell Groups
- How to lead a Cell Group
- How to maintain and grow a Cell Group
- Cell Leader
(5-6 meetings x 2 hours)

Cell Leaders Training Level 2
- Cell unit specialization
- Leadership
- Pressing towards maturity
- How to lead a small group discussion
- Conflict managernent
(5-6 meetings x 2 hours)

Cell Leaders Training Level 3
- How to conduct cell leaders training
- How to supervise a number of Cell Groups
- Advance teaching on practical Christian Living
(5-6 meetings x 2 hours )

Host/Hostess Training
Specialized training for host and hostess to make the place of meeting conducive to learning and relaxation.

Ministry personnel

Direct:

• Home Cell Department Overseer
• Assistant Home Cell Department Overseer
• Home Cell Department Secretary
• Cell Leader's Trainors

Indirect: (Liaison)

• Section Leader
• Cell Leader
• Assistant Cell Leader
• Cell Meeting Host/Hostess

Transferable principles

Home Cell Department adheres to the following principles:

1. People come to the kingdom of God wholly (spirit, soul and body). They come to church along with their talents, skills, gifts, passion, hurts and problems as well.
2. Decision to a faith life with Jesus is just the beginning of another process and journey called maturity in Christ.
3. The Sunday Service has a distinct role in the life of the believer and the church and so is the Cell Groups (Small Groups) for both to grow and mature.
4. Every believer has a need to express themselves (creativity) as to who they are and this is facilitated in a friendly, relaxing and less threatening small groups of acquaintances and friends of the church.
5. Discipling people to Christ is not just informational but relational which is the most effective way.
6. Equipping must go beyond the traditional concept of just teaching and training.
7. We have a commission from God to strategise the best way we know and can to disciple new believers in Christ.
8. We can avail ourselves of the present technology i.e, multimedia to aid us in discipling people to maturity in Christ.
9. Believers are not just members but as the Bible puts it are lively stones not just piled up together but are carefully hewn out and rightfully place to fulfill their place of ministry in the body of Christ.
10. Through effective discipleship, the church would increase its retention as well as its effective active force.