Cell Based Ministry

Moses’ father-in-law established the cell-based structure when he saw Moses trying to provide care for all the Israelites on his own (similar to what many local church pastors attempt to do today) As found in Exodus 18:13-15.
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Moses thought he had to do it all himself.  But Jethro told him it was not good. The people were not being ministered to and Moses was being worn out.  So he gave Moses this advice:Teach them the decrees and laws, and show them the way to live and the duties they are to perform.  But select capable men from all the people — men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain — and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens.  Have them serve as judges for the people at all times, but have them bring every difficult case to you; the simple cases they can decide themselves.  That will make your load lighter, because they will share it with you (Exodus 18:20-22).

Moses was to equip and release.  He was to form a structure in order to see that the people were cared for.  He had people over tens (a cell). Then over fifties (five cells).  Then those over hundreds (several groups of fifties) and those over thousands (several groups of hundreds).  Notice though that everything in this structure of care transferred back to the cell of ten.  The structure was designed to support the beginning level.

A cell church works off this same structure.  People are in cells.  Each cell is overseen by a shepherd whose role it is to facilitate care for ten (five to fifteen in our case) people.  Each cell is not merely left out there on its own, but is directed and supported by a coach.  These coaches are not left on their own as well, but are overseen by the pastor.

It is this structure that makes the system work.  Notice what Jethro said about how it was supposed to work, "If you do this and God so commands, you will be able to stand the strain, and all these people will go home satisfied" (Exodus 18:23).

Here, at MeadowCrest, we call our cells  Connections.