I don't really know what everyone thinks on this issue.
Do you think it's time to step up on our efforts to move out of our current place into proper cell houses? I mean we're prone to constant disruption whenever an event is held there notwithstanding the fact that we really do not have a permit to hold such a large gathering there. Which we have to really be grateful to our Heavenly Father for providing for us!
There are really both pros and cons for being in either Pavilion or cell house. And so, I feel this issue needs alot more thought and discussion since when in doubt, the Bible exhorts us to seek the counsel of believers.
Pro 15:22 Plans fail for lack of counsel,
but with many advisers they succeed.
Let me do a pros and cons preliminary Analysis of this situation
Pavilion
Pros
Combined Worship is possible, more prudent use of resources
Many leaders present, so we can all fill in for one another if the need arises
Our cell members can still have both inter and intra cell group interactions - A dynamism that we will lose if we split up into individual cell houses
intra - within cell inter - between cells
Cons
Can take awhile to get our kids to settle down
Almost impossible to do productive sharing (eg. go one round and share about your week)
Noisy/smelly at times
There are strangers loitering around sometimes and we have no control over this - distracting
We could get chased out, displaced without warning
Leaders sometimes have to compete with each other to be heard during lessons
When our kids are sian during worship, it can be quite infectious and disheartening to see
Individual Cell Houses
Pros
Possibly quieter and more private surroundings to attend to our sheep
Hopefully our members will then be more open to share about their week and connect with one another
Time for members to share Deeply about the issues in their life and still go one full round
Opens up the possibility to harness the AV equipment of the place for screening of related multimedia like video clips or even an entire sermon message, if it's really good:)
Stronger and deeper ties between our cell members can possibly be formed since they now are restricted to intra cell interactions but i realise this can work the other way as well
Possible to go 'paperless' as we can screen lyrics / Qns on TV screen or something
Each CG will have more control over the programme and begin to allocate time for prayer/celebrating of birthdays/time for worship/sharing/chatting/lesson
Possibility of opening more opportunities for ministry among our kids (eg. worship, birthday ICs, Treasurer etc etc)
Cons
Worship Team staffed by our kids has to be nurtured / Leaders take worship & lesson every week
No more divisional dynamism - some kids might drop out of cell cos of this
All Leaders are really on their own and be constantly on their toes
The Divisional Identity among our kids might be lost slowly over time. . .
Can't think of anymore...
In any case, do not look at the length of the pros and cons, but as not all reasons are as important as others, so please help to weigh them and offer your counsel and help add to the list of pros and cons.
Let's discuss this by posting comments on this post when you see this and not going to the tagboard as i think characters that can be typed into that is pretty limited.
Then, it is only right that Alvin as our authority and DL should sum up and conclude this issue for us! Thanks Alvin:)
Cheers!
Jared
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5 comments:
Hey yeah,
actually i'm for the idea of splitting into houses for cellgroup. The kids would be more focussed during lessons and there would be a higher level of interaction AMONG the cell members.
Also, some of them may be intimidated to lead worship in front of such a huge group as our division, but if they were to start within small cell groups, then at least we can help build up their confidence level first (:
But the pavillion's good, cos i realise sometimes the kids are attending cell cos their friends (from other cells) are present, so we also gotta change that mindset before splitting into home cells anyway
p.s have we got houses already? that's another problem right? ):
Well, if its meant to be, God will provide the homes ya? YAY!
Love, Vivienne
Hey Jared, thanks for pointing it out.
I think we're not getting much response from our HQ despite the constant 'pushing'. I suppose it has come for a time where we have to propose something practical for ourselves, just as Jared did.
As of now, one practical step is to get our own members and check who stays as near to our church as possible and see if anyway we could establish a communication with their parents regarding having cell in a house (something like house group would sound familiar to them...)
If necessary, let me know if you need more help cos i can get Pastor's help whenever possible to speak to the parents. That'll give us more support and assistance coming from a church point of view.
The issue of them coming for 'one another' would soon be eliminated as they are cut away from their previous friendships to enter into new found dependancy on God and God-loving cell mates. They'll have to go through this process.
My take is rather simple: For the Long Term, if they still exist with the 'i'm here cos i have these friends', they will most probably form resilience in their previous group and rebel when the system impose certain plans. They won't learn how to adapt to changes and accept that certain changes will benefit them in time to come.
'I am here for God' should be the notion of their motivation to be at cell (& if they do come, it is our duty as cell leaders to deliver the Word of God to them, so preparing your materials and your individual walk with God would be accountable). If we can harness this, getting into separate houses would be a milestone to moving things.
For the rest, pls offer your thots as well, not influenced by mine yea? Then we'll come out with a sound plan...
N tt will be our next journey as a zone. :)
i thought it was really apt to raise this issue up..
i'd vote for home cell. think abt the purpose of a cell. a cell wun be a cell unless its a small group.
the kids would also have to adapt to the cell environment where it's comfortable to share with one another their needs.
another good thing about home cell is members get to contribute more to cell instead of leaders doing everything..it will help in their growth i believe.. (like birthday i/c..attendance ic, worship leader, etc..)
just my thoughts. off to study! =)
han
lol. i agree with JH on cell members' contributions must come forward.
So i suppose we can start asking our members if anyone could open their house for us to infiltrate. Lol. There can be more than one, then pass it to our sister cell groups k? (meaning pass on the contact to another cell if you have more than one available)
Criteria, don't be too far from church yea? If not, we gotta strategize something out :)
Alright cool!! Infiltrate we shall!! Hooruh!!
Jared
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