"I think I know why *Central Church is so large," Commented a church growth seminar participant. "It's because of the home cell units. That system is the main reason for *Central Church's remarkable growth."

Hundreds of pastors and church leaders from around the world attend Church Growth International seminars in Seoul, Korea. During those seminars they are exposed to church growth principles, and to the inner workings of *Central Church. Many conclude that he primary cause for growth is *Central Church's cell unit system.

The connection of each member to his or her cell unit is vital. In the cell unit, members observe each other as living examples of faith. They pray together, testify together, study the Word together, encourage each other, and care for each other.

But the cell unit system is not casual in growth. Rather, it is *Central Church's amazing channel for growth. Members are not simply told by a minister what they should and should not do. Through the intricate organization to the cell system, they are lovingly and gently led into successful Christian lives. Through the channel of the cell system they are involved in the process of a continually growing church.

A RELEASE INTO LOVE

Economic recession has also come to Korea. Repeated reports from many who have lost jobs are received in *Central Church's Pastoral Care Department.

This has not led to passive despondency. It has instead spurred cell units into positive action. Members of those units have bound together and provided food for the distressed. Some have collected money form the more fortunate to sustain needy families during crises.

On one occasion a lawyer asked Jesus what he should do to inherit eternal life. Christ summed up all the commandments of Scripture in His reply: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind. And (love) your neighbor as yourself" (Luke 10:27, NEB).

For the committed, the cell unit helps them fulfill that injunction. The home group becomes a catalyst, encouraging members to grow in love for God. It provides opportunities for the Christian to love his neighbor as himself. First and foremost, the cell unit is a channel to release people into love.

CHANNEL FOR INVOLVEMENT

Until I entered Bible college, I held membership in one local church. That church, like many others stressed Sunday school as its primary channel for growth. In addition to the focus on biblical teaching, the reason for this emphasis was simple. The main involvement for laity in ministry was the office of Sunday school teacher.

As my home church grew, the pastoral staff was enlarged. One pastor was added to direct music and another to coordinate youth activities. Additional pastors were later hired for other specialized areas. Valid opportunities for recognized laity involvement, however, remained much the same. And throughout the years that church has only had sporadic growth.

Membership involvement is crucial. It is not enough o have a choir, Sunday school teachers, men's and women's fellowships and a deacon board. *Central Church has five choirs with 600 members, 550 Sunday school classes, a men's fellowship with over 7,000 participants, about 3,000 in the women's fellowship, and a deacon board of nearly 2,000 men.

But they are not enough. The cell unit system is a more excellent way of leading people into involvement. And it is not just the 10,370 adult, youth, and children's group leaders who are involved (July, 1980). Each cell unit leader also promotes the involvement of others.

Shy and hesitant members are encouraged to evangelize, some even assigned to bring interested, non-Christian neighbors to church. Cell units meet in various consenting homes in the neighborhood, anxious to share Christ throughout their area. Members are taught to pray in faith for the sick and needy. They minister to each other on a daily basis.

Remarked one member, "I work six days a week and am often tired. But my wife is a cell unit leader, and works even more than I do. Throughout the week she visits the members of her housewives' cell unit, encouraging them in faith and involvement. They in turn reach out to others."

Vital inclusion of laity in *Central Church's cell unit system has provided valid opportunities for involvement. It has also freed *Central Church's pastoral staff for active ministry. Our 150 member pastoral staff teach, speak, conduct laity training seminars, and minister in requested cell unit meetings. The bulk of individual ministry and counseling is carried on by trained and committed laity; pastors are sought out for especially difficult and persistent problems. These dynamics have resulted in an enthusiastic pastoral staff, and in a highly motivated and deeply involved laity.

APPETITE FOR GOD'S WORD

The surge of scriptural truth in Sunday morning service becomes a fading memory after a Monday of mundane tasks. The cell unit alters that pattern. An outstanding feature of the cell system is its development of a continuing appetite for the Word of God.

A summary of each home Bible study is printed on the back page of the weekly Full Gospel Newspaper. Members are encouraged to study this summary in advance. The resulting Bible study is a central focus of the cell unit meeting.

Training seminars for weekly Bible studies are held three times every Wednesday: in the morning at ten o'clock, and before and after the Wednesday evening service. Cell leaders are "carrier-teachers," taking the Word that they have heard to the members of their groups. They are taught to add their personal examples, and to emphasize the particular truths needed by members of their groups.

Cell unit Bible studies are both relevant and applicable. During a cell meeting, members in the informal atmosphere of the home listen to unit leaders teach from the Word of God. They then have a time of discussion. They share testimonies that give further credence tot he power of God. This emphasis on God's Word results in expansion of the faith life of each member, a deterrent to doubt and a challenge to greater Christian maturity.

REINFORCEMENT

Our questions often reflect our fears. One question frequently asked at seminars is: "Don't the cell unit meetings take the place of church attendance?"

In reality, the opposite is true. Cell meetings are a constant reminder that each is a vital part of a larger whole.

I asked several members of *Central Church why they continue to come to church services. Some must ride a city bus two hours from their homes. Others belong to isolated cell groups that could easily form their own churches. These members gave three reasons why they continue to faithfully attend *Central Church.

"We need our faith expanded," began one member. Church services are considered corporate celebrations of worship and the Word. After an inspiring sermon, prayer is made for the sick and those laden with problems. Miracles are a common occurrence. In such an atmosphere, the expansion of faith is natural.

Secondly, members attend services in order to bring their tithes to church. They consider the church God's "storehouse" (Malachi 3:10), the only place they will offer their tithes.

Cell unit meetings lend tremendous reinforcement to the practice of tithing. During those meetings many who tithe testify of God's rich blessings. It is not unusual for tithes to be brought by newcomers attending church the first time. Through the cell unit they have been ministered to, accepted Christ, and repeatedly heard about God's blessings on those who give.

There is a third reason members come to *Central Church. They want to attend a church that visiting friends and neighbors will want to join. "I can feel the magnificence of Christ during *Central Church's services," commented an older member. "And that is something I want to share with others."

MOTIVATION TO EVANGELIZE

Many activities in cell unit meetings motivate members to evangelize. The needs of non-Christian neighbors are made the subject of brief discussion and fervent prayer. Cell leaders tell of creative approaches to evangelism, and show how to use unique opportunities for God's glory. After meetings, members often gather to visit homes of interested unbelievers.

Those who testify of healings and miracles are eager to tell of their experiences. It is they who engage in the highest form of witnessing. Out of their personal experience they share miraculous testimonies with others. To them that is the ultimate in belonging: to bring unbelievers into the Kingdom of our Lord.

*Central Church is now Yoido Full Gospel Church

Article copyrighted 1980 by "World of Faith" magazine, Summer/Fall 1980, Volume 2, No. 3, Pages 8-9. This magazine is no longer published, but has been replaced by "Church Growth," available at P. O. Box 7; Seoul 150, Korea.