This answer is not merely a simply yes or no reply. Let us explain our process in the following manner. We are primarily Jethro orientated. Which means, that when a Cell multiplies, the new cell leader falls under the ZONE SUPERVISOR, who primarily becomes their coach. Theoretically and practically, this is what takes place. The problem with this scenario as you would presume, would be that the new Cell leader may have stronger relationship with the leader he has just multiplied away from, rather than with the Zone Supervisor.

We apply the following G12 principles to 'coaching' to address this problem. The original cell leader still remains in close contact with the multiplied home Cell. Weekly he will contact the new Cell leader and have that mentoring, coaching role in the new Cell leaders life. (This contact is mainly informal and telephonic, but can escalate into actually meeting together.) On a monthly basis the mother and the daughter Cell will meet and have a combined Cell. If there are more than one daughter cells then they will all meet together once per month. These meetings can be quite large and are mainly social, their objective is to maintain relationships between the members. Our motive is to have this successful Cell leader to become a Zone Supervisor once they have multiplied 3 Home Cells. They will continue to bond in this manner until they have reached 6 Cells at which point the existing Zone Supervisor should promote a new successful Cell leader to become a new Zone Supervisor.

In practice the following happens, James a good Zone Supervisor has 12 Cells that he is 'coaching'. He has six Cell leaders with him. Each of them have their own Cell and are coaching another making up the 12 Cells. John is most likely to multiply another Cell next week. What will happen is the following, John will need to multiply a new Cell and find an intern for the Cell that is staying behind. He in essence will have 3 Cells, they will break away from the original 12 and form a new Zone. James will now be coaching 9 home Cells and John the new Zone Supervisor will coach 3 Cells in a new Zone. Inevitably, there will still be strong relationship ties with James the original Z.S.

The idea for each Zone Supervisor is to work his way out of a Job and to release as many new Z.S. into his place as he can.

To put perspective on all of this, previously, we were multiplying home cells at an unhealthy rate. One of the problems with pure G12 is that the multiplication is often too rapid, and the Cells are not ready to multiply. The latest research shows that an extraordinary Cell Church is showing a growth of 10% or higher per year. In fact if your Church is growing by 10% or more per year you fall in the category of the top 5% of growing churches in the world. Our Church which on average is growing at 32% is considered to be abnormal.

A healthy growth rate in practice is for each Cell to multiply or plant a new cell at least once per year. You may argue that this is too little, but if we had to approach it from Cell group dynamics, it will take at least 6 months for that Cell to bond to the extent that they can have meaningful, transparent life changing meetings. We are after quality as opposed to quantity. If our Church is growing at 32% that means that only 32% are actually multiplying per year. There is also an escalation of about 6% per year, i.e. next year our growth rate will be 38%. If you see the research that has been done, this growth is abnormal. Also the larger a Church becomes that slower it grows. If a cell multiplies once per year, it takes on average 3 years for a new Zone Supervisor to be raised up.

Why is this important? Most pure G12 cells start experiencing major problems when they reach 3rd generation cells. If the society is primarily uncharted, unspiritual the problems are compounded even more. Most large G12 Churches are now quick to admit that their home Cells have degenerated to become pure evangelical in nature. They mainly get their substance from their celebrations. The bulk of equipping for leaders is purely evangelistic in nature and purposefully they steer away from pure mentoring and shepherding. The meetings are involved around outreach alone. We see a danger in this, as we see the evangelistic thrust as only one part of Cells, we believe that Cells also for edification, equipping of new leaders and effective ministry (meeting of people's needs.) In pure G12 you are forced to trade quality, to keep up with leadership demand and the multiplication rate. We experienced growth of this nature and the problems related to it, and we changed direction to focus on equipping quality leaders. There was a large turnover of people when we traded evangelism above discipleship.

We also remain totally flexible, as the need arises. There are some Z.S. who are coaching a maximum of 2 Cells. The Cells are problematic in nature and handling two at a time is more than enough for this Z.S. Another Z.S. may have 12 Cells and no problems. By keeping things rigid, in terms of numbers is dangerous for a Cell Church. The idea is to have the finger on the pulse and adapt as necessity demands. WE MULTIPLY AS MANY Z.S. INTO NEW ZONES AS WE CAN. WE KEEP OUR STRUCTURE FLAT BY ONLY HAVING 3 LEVELS, CELL LEADER, ZONE SUPERVISOR AND DISTRICT PASTORS. IF A DISTRICT GETS TO LARGE WE MULTIPLY DISTRICTS AND PROMOTE NEW DISTRICT PASTORS.