Brethren,

   After 14 years pastoring in the old Sunday morning, Wed prayer/study 
combo tradition, I must say Care Groups, or cell groups have given the 
saints in my corner of the kingdom a refreshingly new approach to 
edifying one another. Getting to know one another through Care Groups 
has proven positive for all concerned. In our experience this does not 
happen at the expense of any one gift. Of course Care Groups or Cell 
Groups may mean different things to different folks. To me it means 
simply modeling, though imperfectly, the early church experience. They 
gathered in homes as well as the Temple. More than likely both places 
were frequented throughout the week.

I hope I never have to return to the stale one man says everything 
ministry where everything starts and ends the same way meeting after 
meeting. I just don't see any biblical support for a preacher only 
ministry yet that's what most Christians in our culture are familiar 
with. It's nothing more than a spectator sport. Sadly there's only one 
player on the field.

   Blessings,
     Moe


For I say, through the grace given to me, to every one who is among you, 
not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think. But set your 
mind to be right-minded, even as God has dealt to every man the measure 
of faith. For even as we have many members in one body, and all members 
do not have the same function, so we the many are one body in Christ, 
and each one members of one another. Then having gifts differing 
according to the grace that is given to us, if prophecy, according to 
the proportion of faith; or ministry, in the ministry; or he who 
teaches, in the teaching; or he who exhorts, in the encouragement; or he 
who shares, in simplicity; or he who takes the lead, in diligence; or he 
who shows mercy, in cheerfulness. Let love be without hypocrisy, 
shrinking from evil, cleaving to good; in brotherly love to one another, 
loving fervently, having led one another in honor. As to diligence, not 
slothful, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, 
patient in affliction, steadfastly continuing in prayer, distributing to 
the needs of the saints, pursuing hospitality. (Rom 12:3-)