Product Description

Ted Haggard presents a successful and tested model for a small group ministry here that can be implemented by a church of any size. By enabling members to embrace and capitalize on their own unique abilities, the diverse groups create an environment where people meet mentors that can disciple and guide them. This need-and interest based approach redefines the model for powerful church growth.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #441062 in Books
• Published on: 2002-05-14
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 224 pages

Customer Reviews

The author's caught on to half of it, that's for sure!
Haggard actually got half of it right... people enjoy affinity groups, and they're a great place to connect with unchurched people and build relationships.

However, his definition of a "cell group" is weak and he lumps all the various kinds of affinity groups in that definition.

Healthy cell groups are holistic, meaning they contain the lifestyle commanded in both the Great Commandment and Great Commission. They are also Christ-centered, and do not find their purpose in snowboarding or scrapbooking.

However, I firmly believe that what Haggard has written about in this book should be employed by holistic small group-based churches as a relationally evangelistic arm of each group in addition to a true, Christ-in-the-midst gathering of believers.

Man cannot live on interest groups (bread) alone.

Nothing Better
I've read many books on small groups and building community within the body of Christ. This is by far the best! Having tried the traditional models for small group ministry for over eight years, I discovered that most people simply don't have the interest or commitment to gather with brothers and sisters based on geographical location. They have all failed. But this past Sunday, three months after having read Haggard's book, our congregation is already beginning our first semester of small groups, and the excitement surpasses anything I've experienced. This book will transform your church and your community. And the priesthood of believers will move more fully into their ministries than ever before!

Fr Greg Evans, Pastor of Church of the Good Shepherd in Chelsea, Alabama

Everyone trying to do Small Group ministry should read this.
It's refreshing, insightful, and helpful. I especially appreciated Ted's advice about not just overlaying some other church's small group ministry onto your church, but rather praying, wrestling, and struggling with what God wants at your church.
What he's saying make a lot of sense, especially in our American free enterprise culture.