The Apostolic Cell Church

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Summary: It's refreshing to hear from a practitioner on Church growth
Review: All too often Church Growth books seem to be written more from a theoretical perspective. It is most refreshing to read a Church Growth book written by a practitioner. Because this book was written from within a vibrant Cell Church ministry it is filled with practical helps. Pastor Khong was quick to share not only what was working, but things that did not work! A must read for anyone wanting to grow a church based upon relationships.

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Summary: This is it!
Review: The Apostolic Cell Church is one of those rare books that I have read that made me say: "This is it! This is what church ministry should be like!"

This book presents the view that there is great different between a "church with cells" and a "cell group church." What the author advocates is a "cell group church" in which all the ministries of the church exist to support the cell group ministry. For example, the Bible study class does not exist to attract more people to that particular department (and in the process competing with all other departments), but it (along with all other programs of the church) exists to support the ministry of the cell groups.

Some of the inherent weaknesses of the traditional model of the church are discussed: equipping the lay people for ministry, sustained evangelism, and fellowship and community life that results in value changes. Then the author goes on to show how these are all a natural, everyday outworking of a cell group church. The cell group in a way forces all believers to live out their Christian lives in a community with security and trust. Worship, the exercise of spiritual gifts, discipleship, evangelism and missions all take place through the cell groups.

The author then gives an overview of how the cell leaders are trained, how the church is structured for maximum effectiveness, and how training for evangelism and training in spiritual gifts takes place.

The author is transparent in showing the mistakes along the way and not just the successes of his experience so that the reader can learn from both. This is definitely a "must-read." Even if you don't follow all of the author's convictions, you will be challenged to rethink what ministry is about and how it should be done. The author's clear gift and insight into church leadership and passion for the lost comes out through every page. Thank God for such a precious tool in the ministry!

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Summary: Buy an extra highlighter for this one!
Review: This is the kind of book that you will highlight and underline until your highlighter runs dry! I highly recommend this ground breaking book on the cell based church.