Multiplication Party Ideas

We encourage the last cell group meeting prior to multiplication to be a party – where the whole focus is on celebrating the community we’ve been given, thanking God and each other, and looking forward with anticipation to new opportunities that we are being offered.  As much is possible, create an event that is celebratory, hopeful, and connected.

These parties will look and feel different depending on the group and how the multiplication process went, but below are a few so-far tried and true ideas that have worked well.

Food 

Often times multiplication parties spend the first 40% or their event eating and talking.  Asking every group member to bring part of some big festive meal and dessert almost creates the feeling of a big family holiday or a special community event.

Take a Picture 

Get a group picture!  Having a good picture of everyone is a nice memory piece and it’s something that you can send out to everyone afterwards.  Also, send one in to the office so we can have some cell pictures!

The Affirmation Circle 

This ritual takes about 30 – 40 minutes, depending on group size.  The purpose of it is to reflect on our relationships and acknowledge and affirm each other – how we’ve grown, how we’ve loved, listened, served, and blessed each other.  It’s an opportunity to thank each other and say the things we’ve been thinking all along that might otherwise slip aside assumed. 

A side benefit is that it also serves well to smooth out any ruffled feelings that may have developed during the oftem complicated multiplication process.  We hope that every multiplication goes smoothly, with everyone staying well connected, communicated, and feeling valued.  But, sometimes this isn’t the case and making the space for communal healing is crucial before the group parts. 

Instructions:   Put a chair or stool in the middle of the room and set up seating in a full circle surrounding it.  Make sure there’s enough space for everyone to sit in the outer circle in some way, including the kids.  Each person in your group will take a turn sitting in the chair.  While they sit there 3-6 people will speak affirmations to them.  It ends up being about 2 minutes per person.  Some people will give longer affirmations, perhaps recounting an experience or describing more in depth how this person has affected them.  Others will be brief saying something simple as, “I love your smile.”   At a natural pause after about 2 minutes the person in the chair will pick someone to replace them.

Here's a few pointers for success:  Kids love this ritual.  It’s exciting to realize adults have noticed them, and they have a moment to express their feelings with the whole group in an appropriate way.  It seems the best way to keep them in engaged is to spread them out.  If there are the same number of adults as kids have kids pick adults to replace them in the circle and vice versa.  If there are less kids you can express your expectation of spreading the kids out at the beginning but may have to urge throughout the process.

Try to have something in mind for the first person so you can start it.  People will look to you for an example of how this should work.  Also, be forward for the first one encouraging enough people to speak if needed, and also to cut it off at about 2 minutes.  Sometimes it takes a couple people to go through before it feels natural. 

Blessing the Intern   

The multiplication process is one of birthing and not only is a new group birthed, but a new leader.  Perhaps at the close of the affirmation circle, have the Intern sit in the middle and have everyone surround them to pray for them and give them their blessing.  This act is really empowering for the Intern, it’s symbolic of an ordination of sorts – the community affirming their call to leadership and pledging their respect and willingness to learn and follow.