SPECIALLY FROM YOUR IMPERFECT LEADERS TO YOU.

Dear Members, Ex-members, Friends and Foes,

I have been very disturbed (of late) by what some of the people are commenting (actually, gossiping, backstabbing & murmuring!) ... They have such flawed ideas of a "perfect cell group" (they think we already are in a perfect heaven, perhaps?), and about "our CG" in particular. Now, it has spurred me on to write this post. Time for me to clarify and to speak my mind!

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WHAT IS A CELL GROUP?

Acts 2:46 "So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart."

Heb. 10:35 "Let us not give up the habit of meeting together, as some are doing, instead let us encourage one another all the more since you see the day of the LORD is coming near."

SO, what is a CG?

In its simplest form, it is a group made up of different people with diverse backgrounds, personalities, upbringing, character traits, and habits (the list goes on ...). The CG allows us to bond and form friendships in a setting that's smaller and more comfortable than a church-service context (especially in a megachurch like ours!). The Cell Group is a platform for ongoing discipleship (for us to learn to better our lives and become more and more like Christ), for fellowship (friendship, companionship, encouragement, support, fun, tough times, and the list goes on ...). IT gives us a sense of belonging. And we create that sense of belonging. Most importantly, like in our family, a CG is made of imperfect people who are learning (and struggling) to become better and to become more Christlike.

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WHAT A CELL GROUP IS NOT ...

It is not your main source. Outside of your CG, you still must maintain your family life, social life, education/work life. As much as CG seeks to be your source of support, it is NOT MEANT TO BE (AND NEVER WILL BE) like "GOD"---perfect, always your source of dependence, always unfailing. Dr. Ed Cole said "Balance is the key to life." Thus, as much as CG is meant to be a blessing and joy, it will never fulfill you completely. Thus, do not be disillusioned, and set yourself up for disappointment.

As mentioned above, CG is made up of imperfect people, starting with the CGLs (Kel & Cyn) to the CGCS, down to the newest and youngest member. CG is a place we allow each other to fail and fall, learn and grow. We don't condemn each other nor do we despise each other ...

Prov. 27:17 "People learn from one another. Just as iron sharpens iron."

The CG is never meant to be a vending machine. You put in a coin (you join the CG) and expect to get a can of drink (fulfill your "thirst" and desire). It is not a country club (you join as an exclusive member), and expect exclusive treatment and rights. Rather, a CG is a family, where everyone must play a part to make that family work. It starts with the parents (who provide, nurture, and seek to do what the best can) ... and goes down to the youngest child (who seeks to be easy, and to live in harmony and bond with his siblings).

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DO NOTE ...

You can have the most fun-loving CG, yet not enjoy and feel that it doesn't suit you.

You can have a CG that's not so outgoing, always quiet, and you feel it is too boring.

There's no one-size-fits-all. You learn to grow and "fit" into it.

It is your attitude towards CG ... it is your attitude towards life ... it is your attitude about everything ... that makes CG wonderful to you.

WITH REGARDS TO HELPERS, CGCS, BIRTHDAY COORDINATORS & OTHER MEMBERS WHO SERVE IN CG ...

These are your fellow brothers and sisters (friends) who are in a sense "volunteers". They don't get paid to do their job. They do it out of love for you. ON your Birthdays (for instance), they coordinate, they take precious time off to buy the present, they spend hours doing your card ... whether you like it or not. They bothered. Learn to appreciate each other. And stop putting each other down. Most of all, don't form your own opinions based on others' or your own past experiences.

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CONCLUSION ...

Whichever CG you are in (say if you are unhappy with this CG and want to transfer), I guarantee that even in that new environment, you will never find one that fits you totally. Like in a relationship, it's never about finding the right partner, but being the right partner. You got to stop finding a perfect CG, but be that perfect CG member. And if you've decided that this church is where your future lies, then CG is part of the process. So why don't you make this process an enjoyable and LASTING one by first, being right at heart, and being the CG member everyone will be blessed by?

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LAST VERSE FOR THIS POST ...

"He who wants friends must first be friendly himself." Whatever you sow, that you will also reap. Sow discord, reap discord. Sow disunity, reap disunity. Sow a smile, reap a smile. Sow encouragement, reap encouragement. Sow friendship, reap friendship.

And let me ask you: Didn't you once feel very happy and felt like CG was everything to you? What has changed from then? Could it be ... You?

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Your MOST IMPERFECT LEADERS,
Kelvin & Cynthia

12:17 AM
REMEMBER TO PRAY! REMEMBER TO READ THE BIBLE! REMEMBER TO TITHE! REMEMBER TO STUDY! :)
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