Recently I got the following three questions; posted to me on our web site. They are from Pastor Jim Jobst. I replied to them on that part of our web site; I am also replying to them here, because they are really good questions.
I want to encourage you to go to the Open Mike tab on the toolbar above the banner on our Home Page. Log in, join the conversation, ask questions or just read & reflect.
Here are Pastor Jobst's questions & my answers. I pray this is a blessing to you & your ministry.
1. Is this cell ministry (with) just another name?
Great question. There are similarities to be sure; but the differences run deeper than the name. As Lutherans, we believe that there are 7 marks to the Church (Vol 41; LW). Cell groups can have several of them; but they do not have all of the marks & I believe that this reflects their theological underpinnings- which of course would also be different from ours.
2 & 3. Do you have any fellowship house churches that are of different varieties? Like some that would be a small group and not house church?
More great questions :>) And the answers are, “Yes” to the first question; we have House Churches which are focused on the military; Spanish Language; W. African; E. African; targeting a Business District in a town; Young Couples. In the past week, I have talked w Pastors who want to start House Churches for Cancer Survivors / the Hearing Impaired; one of the real strengths of the House Church approach is that you can “go after” specific “micro targets”.
The answer to question #3 is that we plant House Churches; not small groups. However, having said that, most House Churches are not ready to start celebrating Communion when they first start; because they will have new Christians / non Lutherans whom the Supervising Pastor of the House Churches will want to catechize. So, during this initial stage; the truth of the matter is that the House Churches are not yet fully developed and so look like Bible Study/Prayer groups. But, because these are House Churches which are in the process of being planted; they still have a different identity.
Jim Buckman
