What NOT to do: myths and truths CELL PASTORAL LEADERSHIP Myth: All a pastor has to do is believe in the cell vision and start the model Truth: A pastor needs to concentrate to make cell ministry work Myth: Any pastor can lead a cell church Truth: Cell church leadership does demand attention to detail.

What NOT to do: myths and truths CELL CHURCH AND WESTERN CULTURE Myth: cells don’t work in North America and western culture Truth: not much works in North America and western culture and cells work better than any other strategy for long term health and growth

What NOT to do: myths and truths CHURCH PLANTING AND MEGA CHURCHES Myth: Cell churches are megachurches Truth: Relatively few cell churches will reach mega church status Myth: It’s desireable to grow to mega church status Truth: It’s better to plant cell churches at a smaller size

What NOT to do: myths and truths MODELS Myth: Models bring life and growth Truth: Models have no life; they only contain growth. The key is coaching, not the structure you place upon it Myth: Once you have a model, stick by it Truth: Change rapidly lest you’re left behind; always be innovating

What NOT to do: myths and truths CELL CHURCH BRINGS GROWTH Myth: If I choose to go cell church, my church will grow Truth: Only Jesus can grow the church.

What NOT to do: myths and truths G12 MYTH Myth: the number twelve brings life Truth: there are many great numbers in the Bible

What NOT to do: myths and truths VISION Myth: tell the church how wrong it is and how great the ideal cell church is Truth: just do it. People need to see it worked out. Don’t oversell the cell concept. Just do it and then let them see it

What NOT to do: myths and truths TRANSITION Myth: you must start with one prototype Truth: there are various ways to transition

What NOT to do: myths and truths COACHING Myth: Coaching means only listening and is therapeutic Truth: Coaching contains a wide variety of disciplines

What NOT to do: myths and truths CELL LEADERSHIP Myth: Everyone must be a cell leader Truth: everyone should be a disciple-maker Myth: All pastors must lead cell groups Truth: I think it’s best they do, but there are occasions when they need to take a break. Again, avoid cell church legalism

What NOT to do: myths and truths FAILURE Myth: if you fail once, don’t try again Truth: you need to be willing to fail several times to get it right.

What NOT to do: myths and truths CELL DEFINITION Myth: Cells should be whatever you want them to be—small and a group Truth: Define your cells with a quality definition in mind Myth: Cells are an extension of the program of the Sunday service Truth: the cell is the church

What NOT to do: myths and truths LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT Myth: The cell church is all about the cell Truth: The cell church is all about leadership development; it’s about raising up an army of leaders; cells are leader breeders

What NOT to do: myths and truths COMMUNITY AND EVANGELISM Myth: Evangelism in the cell church is only relational Truth: Try every conceivable method and remember spoudé Myth: Cells equal community Truth: Community orientation will kill a cell unless it’s mixed with evangelism

What NOT to do: myths and truths HEALTH AND COMMUNITY Myth: Healthy small groups focus primarily on community. Truth: Healthy small groups practice community in the process of reaching out and preparing for multiplication.

What NOT to do: myths and truths EVANGELISM LEGALISM Myth: You have to lead 4 people to Christ before you can be a cell leader Truth: You want future leaders to be practicing evangelism but avoid cell legalism at all costs

What NOT to do: myths and truths THE LEADER DOING ALL THE EVANGELISM WORK Myth: the cell leader does the evangelism Truth: Use each member of the cell; give yourself credit for trying to reach out; find those with the gift of evangelism

What NOT to do: myths and truths MULTIPLICATION AND EVANGELISM Myth: if our group emphasizes evangelism and multiplication, we won’t build community. Truth: Evangelism that leads to multiplication happens far less and should be emphasized more.

What NOT to do: myths and truths MULTIPLICATION DESTROYS RELATIONSHIPS WITH NEW CELL Myth: evangelism that leads to multiplication permanently destroys the relationship between the mother and daughter groups. Truth: the best type of multiplication maintains strong ties between mother and daughter small groups.

What NOT to do: myths and truths NO MULTIPLICATION DATE FOR THE CELL Myth: when God wants the cell to multiply it will naturally do so Truth: it’s best to plan a date for multiplication and pray accordingly

What NOT to do: myths and truths THE CELL WILL MEET ALL THE NEEDS Myth: the small group meeting should meet all the needs of the members. Truth: the small group meeting is only one aspect of community life.

What NOT to do: myths and truths HOSPITALITY Myth: one person should be the permanent host Truth: it’s best if the host house is shared; try to find someone with the gift of hospitality; ask others to provide refreshments; close on time.

What NOT to do: myths and truths THE LEADER DEVELOPING ALL THE REALATIONSHIPS IN THE GROUP Myth: the cell leader should develop all the relationships in the group Truth: individuals within the group should share the relational commitment

What NOT to do: myths and truths LACK OF A CORE TEAM IN THE CELL Myth: the cell should primarily have non- christians Truth: the core of the cell is essential

What NOT to do: myths and truths