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Q & A Discussion: Randall Neighbour

What's the difference between a cell group and a small group?

Randall Neighbour responds in our Q & A discussion.

Topics:	Cell groups, Missional, Models, Purpose, Values, Vision
Filters:	Director, Pastor, Train
Purpose:	Ministry
References:	Exodus 19:6 , Psalm 50:23 , Hebrews 13:10-16
Date Added:	January 11, 2010

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Total Reader Responses: 1 (see below)

Nomenclature isn't important in this discussion, but perception is paramount on the part of the pastor, church leaders, and even a church's membership. In cell-based churches I have studied, the cell (small group) is church to everyone in the congregation—from the youngest child to the senior deacon or lead pastor. It's not a supplemental home group program for those who are lonely or bored or want free childcare midweek. If you're not a member of a cell group (which may go by any name under the sun) you are simply not a member of that local church. The lead pastor looks out on the congregation and sees groups gathering for a spiritual celebration of what's going on in their lives, not individuals who may or may not be living in biblical community with other Christians in pursuit of God's mission.

Contrast this with the typical American megachurch that has a small-group ministry and encourages everyone to join a group to get what they can't get in the huge auditorium—actual face-to-face contact with other Christians. Small groups in these churches are established to support the organization and shore up weak areas in the corporate environment.

For a quick definition, a church comprised of holistic small groups (cell groups) is an organism, and the pastoral staff and leadership of the church sees the biblical communities as the church in action.

I know of a number of churches that are small-group-driven and grow numerically through relational evangelism done in the groups, not from transfer growth. In my dictionary, these churches are "cell churches" even if they don't use that term for whatever reason. The big box, "come and see" churches whose pastors put a Ferrari on stage, put on regular Broadway-quality performances, or give the mic to a Nobel Peace Prize winner to draw crowds and who do not find most of their numeric growth coming from small-group members reaching friends for Christ and discipling them in groups would not be called a "cell church" in my book.

I like what my dad says (Ralph Neighbour): One's theology breeds his methodology! If you believe that when a small group of believers gather to experience Christ's presence, power, and purposes for their lives, they are "doing church" (Matthew 18:20), then you don't tack it onto your public meetings as an option and force members to choose between small group participation and serving on a team or working in another ministry. If you believe in the priesthood of all believers (Exodus 19:6; Psalm 50:23, 51:17-19; Hebrews 13:10-16), you equip and release people to fulfill the mission of your local congregation through groups and develop ways to increase relational ministry that doesn't require microphones or amplification.

This doesn't mean that cell churches have to be small, insignificant, or "unprofessional." Eight of the ten largest churches in the world are cell churches. While they have massive buildings for corporate gathering of the groups coming together regularly for instruction, encouragement, and worship, they see themselves (the pastors, leaders, members, and even the children, which are counted as fully functioning members) as an organism of interconnected cells—just like the human body. Small groups are not an opt-in program. They are what life and active membership in the body of Christ is all about.

—Randall Neighbour is President of TOUCH Outreach Ministries in Houston, TX, and author of The Naked Truth About Small Group Ministry. You can check out his blog, RandallNeighbour.com, for more solid advice about small-group life and leadership.