EXPOSITION:
In the army, fellowship is crucial for building morale, ensuring discipline, unity and loyalty. It is the binding force of teams and squad formation. The body of Christ also thrives on fellowship which is at the heart of what the body of Christ does. The early Church believed in this concept, thus, to deepen it, they structured their meetings to include meeting in the homes of members. This system enhanced their level of intimacy: they identified needs, worked towards meeting them and also engaged in some community development initiatives.
In the Church of Pentecost context, our Home Cells are to serve as avenues for such intimate fellowship that will let everyone feel that they belonged and unearth potentials, meet needs and undertake communal activities and initiatives. To discourage participation or downplay its importance is to deny the church a vital training ground for equipping the saints for mission.
The Vision 2023 of The Church of Pentecost states, “Home Cell system shall be a platform for impacting communities. In view of this, our home cells will be made community-friendly”. We can take initiatives that will impact the communities. For instance, issues to be discussed or topics to be treated should be relevant to the community. When Paul arrived in Asia, he mingled with the people and lived among them. He opened up his weaknesses and strengths to them to the extent that they knew of his humility as well as threats.
In order to ensure that the church in Asia was well-equipped for mission, Paul did not only teach them in the churches, but also from house to house (Home Cell). In the Church of Pentecost, members of the Home Cell are to meet monthly, and we are to ensure that it works. We must all become campaigners of the Home Cell concept by reminding one another, inviting friends and making the meetings more beneficial to all members and the community at large.