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Rating: 
Summary: An outstanding contribution to the "cell group" literature
Review: Nearly thirty years ago, as an elder and home fellowship leader in an emerging megachurch, I became deeply convinced that small group fellowships were the "wave of the future." Then, several years later, when I read Howard Snyder's "The Problem of Wineskins," my convictions were solidified. Now, as a senior pastor, after many years of stuggling to keep our home fellowships vital, and trying to balance small groups with all the other activities of the church, I and our leadership are moving into a cell church model. The key factor in pushing us "over the edge" has been Beckham's book. Some of the cell group books available tend to present the cell model as another new technology guaranteed to produce evangelism and church growth. In some of the literature there seems to be a tinge of dogmatism and naive promotionalism (sincere but perhaps simplistic). Beckham, on the other hand, gives a persuasive historical and theological rationale for the cell group model. His chapters on how to implement the cell model in the local church are worth the price of the book. And his explication of the "Instant Cell Church Syndrome (ICC)" is loaded with wit and wisdom. From my perspective, this book is a "must read" for all church leaders interested in the cell church model. Once Beckham's book has been absorbed, the other books with a more functional orientation can be appreciated and valued for their good points.
Rating:
Summary: An outstanding contribution to the "cell group" literature
Review: Nearly thirty years ago, as an elder and home fellowship leader in an emerging megachurch, I became deeply convinced that small group fellowships were the "wave of the future." Then, several years later, when I read Howard Snyder's "The Problem of Wineskins," my convictions were solidified. Now, as a senior pastor, after many years of stuggling to keep our home fellowships vital, and trying to balance small groups with all the other activities of the church, I and our leadership are moving into a cell church model. The key factor in pushing us "over the edge" has been Beckham's book. Some of the cell group books available tend to present the cell model as another new technology guaranteed to produce evangelism and church growth. In some of the literature there seems to be a tinge of dogmatism and naive promotionalism (sincere but perhaps simplistic). Beckham, on the other hand, gives a persuasive historical and theological rationale for the cell group model. His chapters on how to implement the cell model in the local church are worth the price of the book. And his explication of the "Instant Cell Church Syndrome (ICC)" is loaded with wit and wisdom. From my perspective, this book is a "must read" for all church leaders interested in the cell church model. Once Beckham's book has been absorbed, the other books with a more functional orientation can be appreciated and valued for their good points.
Rating:
Summary: A Reformation is truly coming
Review: This is a must read for all in the ministry who are eager to learn from the NT church. Beckham carefully takes us through church history to show how our present "One winged" church was a result of Constantine's Edict of 312AD. He shows us how the "Two winged church" is a more biblical model. I was especially blessed by his presentation of how the "two winged church" demonstrates God's Holy transcendant nature which is experienced in corporate worship and how God's Immanence is experienced in the small group setting.
Rating:
Summary: A Reformation is truly coming
Review: This is a must read for all in the ministry who are eager to learn from the NT church. Beckham carefully takes us through church history to show how our present "One winged" church was a result of Constantine's Edict of 312AD. He shows us how the "Two winged church" is a more biblical model. I was especially blessed by his presentation of how the "two winged church" demonstrates God's Holy transcendant nature which is experienced in corporate worship and how God's Immanence is experienced in the small group setting.
Rating: 
Summary: House Churches or Cell Churches?
Review: While it is nice to see that there are those in the instutionalized churches that see the need for reformation, I see a greater need in restoration. The modern Americanized church has become so filled with business ethics and principles that we have missed the clear New Testament teaching on servant leadership, authority, and the eternal purpose of the Church. This book will offer you great insights into the cell movement. I would highly recommend this book if you are curious about how cell churches operate. If you are apart of a cell church and are still struggling with the clergy/laity system of most American churches (including cell groups) than I would encourage you to check out Frank Viola's book "Rethinking The Wineskins" (...). The message in this book is clear, the church needs to change the world instead of the world changing the church. We must seek to return to a biblical model and pattern for the Church.
Rating:
Summary: House Churches or Cell Churches?
Review: While it is nice to see that there are those in the instutionalized churches that see the need for reformation, I see a greater need in restoration. The modern Americanized church has become so filled with business ethics and principles that we have missed the clear New Testament teaching on servant leadership, authority, and the eternal purpose of the Church. This book will offer you great insights into the cell movement. I would highly recommend this book if you are curious about how cell churches operate. If you are apart of a cell church and are still struggling with the clergy/laity system of most American churches (including cell groups) than I would encourage you to check out Frank Viola's book "Rethinking The Wineskins" (...). The message in this book is clear, the church needs to change the world instead of the world changing the church. We must seek to return to a biblical model and pattern for the Church.
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