The Cell Church

Rating:
Summary: Didn't care for this book
Review: I just finished reading this book because we are preparing to lead a cell group in our cell church. I found many parts of the book to be legalistic. Procedures outlined sounded more like a government agency processing refugees at the border--not loving individuals serving God's people. The emphasis seemed to be on getting large numbers of people into the program. Much of the verbiage was very controlling sounding--with converts being marched through a prescribed program of classes, retreats, cell attendance, etc, which are credited with bringing spiritual maturity.

There is very little to no sense conveyed that it is the Lord who saves souls, who gives power, who brings Christians to maturity, who is control of whether the church will have 50 new cells next year--not our classes and plans.

The Principle of 12 really sounded like a multi-level marketing structure applied to believers' relationships. Here is a quote: "Every new convert you win and disciple can then be "fed" into the cell of one of "your permanent twelve" who has opened a group. By helping them grow, you also grow, because once all of the positions in "your permanent twelve" are filled, the only way for anyone else to enter that group is for someone to leave, die or fall away. In that case, someone from a "twelve" under you would be raised up to fill that position."

This is not Christianity! This is artificial; this is bondage to a system.

I also don't buy the scriptural reasoning that since there were 12 Tribes in Israel and 12 apostles (those numbers are related to each other, though) that means that there is a principle that can be applied to numbers in cells. I also disagree with this use of the same "principle": "Using the "Principle of Twelve," a realistic goal would be to prayerfully bring at least "twelve" people to the Lord each year through personal soul winning." Where is God in that picture? Who saves?

There are better books about the very real strengths and possibilities of cell churches.

Rating:
Summary: Church Reformation for 21st Century.
Review: Stockstill lays out the cell church in easy to understand lingo and strategy. This book crosses the ocean from Korea to the U.S. and gives us the American version to the cell church explosion. "I love his style. I'm going to read it again in case I missed something." Read the book "The purpose driven church" by Warren first and this one next and it will give you a completely new look at church growth, purpose and how to win the world for Christ. He gives spiritual insight to many of the hurdles in cell division. "The Principle of 12" will rock your world.

Gary Mindel

Rating:
Summary: Church Reformation for 21st Century.
Review: Stockstill lays out the cell church in easy to understand lingo and strategy. This book crosses the ocean from Korea to the U.S. and gives us the American version to the cell church explosion. "I love his style. I'm going to read it again in case I missed something." Read the book "The purpose driven church" by Warren first and this one next and it will give you a completely new look at church growth, purpose and how to win the world for Christ. He gives spiritual insight to many of the hurdles in cell division. "The Principle of 12" will rock your world.

Gary Mindel

Rating:
Summary: Church Reformation for 21st Century.
Review: Stockstill lays out the cell church in easy to understand lingo and strategy. This book crosses the ocean from Korea to the U.S. and gives us the American version to the cell church explosion. "I love his style. I'm going to read it again in case I missed something." Read the book "The purpose driven church" by Warren first and this one next and it will give you a completely new look at church growth, purpose and how to win the world for Christ. He gives spiritual insight to many of the hurdles in cell division. "The Principle of 12" will rock your world.

Gary Mindel

Rating:
Summary: Didn't care for this book
Review: Very worth reading. Mr. Stockstill speaks very plainly & generously about his experiences with transitioning a mega-church into what he calls a cell church. Although their cell church is still only a baby, there is plenty to learn from and apply in local settings. Pastors/leaders may do well to read the 10th chapter first, regarding dangers & chalanges, because he addresses several issues head-on that are preventing the 'clergy' from letting go & discovering options to the conventional church models that have helped our church and our country become what we are today.

Rating:
Summary: Nice and Practical Cell Stuff
Review: Very worth reading. Mr. Stockstill speaks very plainly & generously about his experiences with transitioning a mega-church into what he calls a cell church. Although their cell church is still only a baby, there is plenty to learn from and apply in local settings. Pastors/leaders may do well to read the 10th chapter first, regarding dangers & chalanges, because he addresses several issues head-on that are preventing the 'clergy' from letting go & discovering options to the conventional church models that have helped our church and our country become what we are today.

Rating:
Summary: Nice and Practical Cell Stuff
Review: Very worth reading. Mr. Stockstill speaks very plainly & generously about his experiences with transitioning a mega-church into what he calls a cell church. Although their cell church is still only a baby, there is plenty to learn from and apply in local settings. Pastors/leaders may do well to read the 10th chapter first, regarding dangers & chalanges, because he addresses several issues head-on that are preventing the 'clergy' from letting go & discovering options to the conventional church models that have helped our church and our country become what we are today.