Transitioning - a process of change

For the small home group to take on the priority and nature of church life as it was intended, most other central programmes are removed, such as the Bible study night, evangelism team, deeper life discipleship groups and so on. The cell community is now where these functions are best expressed.

Of course, this can't be done over night, and the process of change required is often referred to as ''transitioning'.'. It requires either a change in, or a development of values, and a change in structures. Church growth experts suggest this may take up to 3 years. However, much of the church in Great Britain already possesses some of the values of cell church having embraced meaningful fellowship in home or house groups, and therefore the process may occur more quickly.

At Arnold Army we believe that our transitioning process will take 7 years, through to 2007. This is a journey in which we will move from being a church that tries to meet its objectives only through programme and activity to one that tries to meet its objectives through small group life.

We believe this is a journey that will take us at least 7 years. The following chart was prepared in May 2002.

We have spent a considerable time at leadership level to work out milestones etc for our journey using Microsoft Project. If you would be interested in seeing this outline plan contact us. webmaster@arnoldarmy.org