The Power of Homogeneous Groups
The Power of Homogeneous Groups
The G12 vision works through homogeneous cell groups. This means the cells are organised into several different nets: the men's network, the women's network the couples', youth and childrens' networks.
There are a number of keys to understanding how and why this works so well.
Key # 1: The vision is often presented as running the cells along the homogenous principle. But we must understand that to mean we are running these ministries (men's, women's, youth e.t.c.) through the cell principle.
Three main facts help us grasp the importance of homogeneous groups:
1. The Church is a family.
2. Each member has special interests, needs and concerns.
3. Each group is best equipped to reach and disciple others like themselves.
This means that men are best equipped to reach out and disciple men, women best reach women, and so on. We are no strangers to the homogeneous principle. In KT/LCC we have developed along kinship lines and have used the homogeneous principle in planting churches. Many groups are naturally organised that way - for example, the ethnic and language-based churches. But we have also stressed the need for the corporate expression of the body.
After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands (Revelation 7:9)
We see aspects of culture redeemed and glorified in heaven! But these distinctions are not barriers between people. Rather, they form the diversity that enhances the unity. We are the richer together when we receive one another and the diversity that brings.
Key # 2: We are one body, one family and one church. But our unity does not mean we always must do the same thing, at the same time, in the same way in the same place!
A family must regularly come together as a family, but there will be times when the children are doing one thing, the teens are doing something else and the mother is engaged in something else and so on. We must always remember that our primary cell is our family. We should first be discipled in our own families. And then we can move out into our homogeneous cells. The G12 cell vision is all about building families up - not splitting them up! But we must also understand the power of homogeneous groups.
The dynamic of homogeneous groups
Homogeneous groups allow people to learn and grow in the company of like-minded people who have the same needs, face the same challenges and share the same interests, identity and language. The gospel (evangelism and discipleship) travels fastest along these kinship or homogeneous lines.
We know this principle very well from the youth ministry. Young people have special interests that enable them to identify with one another. Their music, their style and their mind set all relate to their time of life. We can best address their questions, pressures, and temptations in the context of youth ministry.
The same applies to women. Many women's ministries are being raised up today. These recognise the special dynamic that operates when women come together to minister to each other. The same is true of men's ministry. Men open up better in the company of other men. And we need to minister to the men as men who share the same needs, desires and pressures.
Key # 3: Discipleship is about role models and teaching by example. Only so much can be achieved by cross gender role models. How can a man model to a woman how to be a godly wife? And how can a woman demonstrate to a man how to be a Bible pattern husband?
The principle is 'like disciples like'. When you disciple others, you reproduce yourself. Jesus' 12 disciples where male, although He had many women followers. In fact, they were often the most faithful, loyal and supportive. Women backed his ministry in practical provision. He elevated them and gave them a very high place in His ministry, teaching and mission. But His close disciples (His 12) were men. Even when you take the culture of the day into account (theirs was a patriarchal society in which men and women were separated in most public gatherings) you can still see how this sensibly applies today.
Paul gave the older women a clear directive to teach the younger women and to disciple them.
Titus 2:3-5 …the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behaviour, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things-- 4 that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, 5 to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed.
Key # 4: The homogeneous principle does not mean the sexes or the age groups are divided and separated. It means that they are discipled as men, women, youth and children to take up their place as disciples in their families and in the wider church body. They become better husbands, wives, fathers, mothers or children.
And, remember, the celebrations and church services include everybody. The church is a family and the family must come together.
Three practical points
1. This can and does work. It is a central thrust of the ICM G12 ministry in Bogota. And the fruit speaks for itself. They have over 50,000 in their youth cells alone.
2. During our time of transition into cells, we have found that it is important to start where you are. Churches should introduce whatever homogeneous cell structure they can - men's, women's, youth or couples. And they should let the others develop over time. Some may already have mixed cells. These should continue until leaders are raised up who can lead the men, the women, the youth, and so on.
3. There is power in corporate strategy. Churches should be united in their adoption of the homogeneous principle. It should never be a point of contention. But that may mean people laying down some of their traditional ideas that prevent the vision from being adopted intact.
By Colin Dye
The G12 vision works through homogeneous cell groups. This means the cells are organised into several different nets: the men's network, the women's network the couples', youth and childrens' networks.
There are a number of keys to understanding how and why this works so well.
Key # 1: The vision is often presented as running the cells along the homogenous principle. But we must understand that to mean we are running these ministries (men's, women's, youth e.t.c.) through the cell principle.
Three main facts help us grasp the importance of homogeneous groups:
1. The Church is a family.
2. Each member has special interests, needs and concerns.
3. Each group is best equipped to reach and disciple others like themselves.
This means that men are best equipped to reach out and disciple men, women best reach women, and so on. We are no strangers to the homogeneous principle. In KT/LCC we have developed along kinship lines and have used the homogeneous principle in planting churches. Many groups are naturally organised that way - for example, the ethnic and language-based churches. But we have also stressed the need for the corporate expression of the body.
After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands (Revelation 7:9)
We see aspects of culture redeemed and glorified in heaven! But these distinctions are not barriers between people. Rather, they form the diversity that enhances the unity. We are the richer together when we receive one another and the diversity that brings.
Key # 2: We are one body, one family and one church. But our unity does not mean we always must do the same thing, at the same time, in the same way in the same place!
A family must regularly come together as a family, but there will be times when the children are doing one thing, the teens are doing something else and the mother is engaged in something else and so on. We must always remember that our primary cell is our family. We should first be discipled in our own families. And then we can move out into our homogeneous cells. The G12 cell vision is all about building families up - not splitting them up! But we must also understand the power of homogeneous groups.
The dynamic of homogeneous groups
Homogeneous groups allow people to learn and grow in the company of like-minded people who have the same needs, face the same challenges and share the same interests, identity and language. The gospel (evangelism and discipleship) travels fastest along these kinship or homogeneous lines.
We know this principle very well from the youth ministry. Young people have special interests that enable them to identify with one another. Their music, their style and their mind set all relate to their time of life. We can best address their questions, pressures, and temptations in the context of youth ministry.
The same applies to women. Many women's ministries are being raised up today. These recognise the special dynamic that operates when women come together to minister to each other. The same is true of men's ministry. Men open up better in the company of other men. And we need to minister to the men as men who share the same needs, desires and pressures.
Key # 3: Discipleship is about role models and teaching by example. Only so much can be achieved by cross gender role models. How can a man model to a woman how to be a godly wife? And how can a woman demonstrate to a man how to be a Bible pattern husband?
The principle is 'like disciples like'. When you disciple others, you reproduce yourself. Jesus' 12 disciples where male, although He had many women followers. In fact, they were often the most faithful, loyal and supportive. Women backed his ministry in practical provision. He elevated them and gave them a very high place in His ministry, teaching and mission. But His close disciples (His 12) were men. Even when you take the culture of the day into account (theirs was a patriarchal society in which men and women were separated in most public gatherings) you can still see how this sensibly applies today.
Paul gave the older women a clear directive to teach the younger women and to disciple them.
Titus 2:3-5 …the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behaviour, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things-- 4 that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, 5 to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed.
Key # 4: The homogeneous principle does not mean the sexes or the age groups are divided and separated. It means that they are discipled as men, women, youth and children to take up their place as disciples in their families and in the wider church body. They become better husbands, wives, fathers, mothers or children.
And, remember, the celebrations and church services include everybody. The church is a family and the family must come together.
Three practical points
1. This can and does work. It is a central thrust of the ICM G12 ministry in Bogota. And the fruit speaks for itself. They have over 50,000 in their youth cells alone.
2. During our time of transition into cells, we have found that it is important to start where you are. Churches should introduce whatever homogeneous cell structure they can - men's, women's, youth or couples. And they should let the others develop over time. Some may already have mixed cells. These should continue until leaders are raised up who can lead the men, the women, the youth, and so on.
3. There is power in corporate strategy. Churches should be united in their adoption of the homogeneous principle. It should never be a point of contention. But that may mean people laying down some of their traditional ideas that prevent the vision from being adopted intact.
By Colin Dye
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