Comments on: A Church of Small Groups? Or Just Community?

By: Larry

Larry — Fri, 23 May 2008 22:25:42 +0000

We loved this posting…over the past twenty years I cant tell you how many times we felt at the periphery of a church body because we did not join a small group. We had community daily with a variety of churched and unchurched folks, but if we couldnt commit to a formal small group every week, we werent considered really part of things at a church. One size rarely fits all, especially with 4 young kids and one hour work commutes.

By: Todd

Todd — Wed, 14 May 2008 19:01:25 +0000

Pat, you are perceptive. I am coming exactly from this perspective. Joe is a good friend and his books have been very, very influential to how we approach community at The Well…

nice sleuth skills.

By: Pat

Pat — Wed, 14 May 2008 04:44:03 +0000

This topic reminds me a lot of Joe Myers, The Search to Belong. http://urltea.com/36oc. I am a huge advocate of small groups, but I know they’re not for everybody. And I think you’re saying what Joe says too – provide different entry points to community and belonging, recognizing that individuals have unique needs.

By: Paul

Paul — Tue, 13 May 2008 21:59:40 +0000

When my church first started a small group ministry about 7 years ago or so we were committed to being “a church of small groups.” About a year ago though we started thinking that small groups are not the right fit for everone so we developed what we call “Next Step Partnerships” (NSP) which include small groups, serving teams, prayer partnerships, and in the future mentoring relationships and recovery groups.

In retrospect, however, I’m starting to question whether that was the right move. First, it’s created a lot of confusion. People are constantly asking the difference between a small group and a NSP and the differences between various types of NSPs. The confusion has resulted in many people not participating in any NSP.

Additionally, some people – particularly those more spiritually mature – have opted for one-on-one prayer partnerships, which they like, but takes them out of a setting where they are in close relationships with other members of the church. As a result some less spiritually mature members of the church are probably not getting the opportunity to learn from, question, observe, etc from the veteran Christians.

So, I’m starting to think maybe being “a church of small groups” is the best option. It may not be a biblical mandate, but Jesus had a small group, Acts speaks of meeting in homes. God designed us each to live in a biological small group (aka family), perhaps asking everyone to be in a spiritual small group is best as wel.

Just thinking out loud.

By: Dubsy

Dubsy — Tue, 13 May 2008 17:21:19 +0000

Interesting thoughts.
Our church here in South-central Alabama just began what we’re calling Karis groups. It’s not a program so-to-speak but rather an informal gathering of 2-5 people. We have this rad pamphlet that has some pretty probing questions for accountability and reflection (which hopefully would lead to confession and openness). The group I’m involved in rarely uses the pamphlet, we’re reading through William Guthrie’s The Christian’s Great Interest (Banner of Truth, Puritan Paperback).

I think the point is to create guidelines or suggestions for people who have been raised in me-and-jesus church culture their whole lives to become more God’s-people/kingdom/community-minded.

diggin your blog man!

PS – Helvetica was a good choice!

By: Ryan

Ryan — Tue, 13 May 2008 16:03:43 +0000

We’re working toward a type of groups that are essentially mission groups (we’re not yet sure what to call them). I’m official done with groups that are nothing more than thereputic feel-good sessions where scripture is martialed to make my life work.

Instead we are beginning to form groups around missional challenges – questions. Scripture then plays an enormous role in shaping our lives around
God’s intention both for our lives and the life of the world. They are also very action oriented. In other words, we gather together to form our lives around what God’s is doing in the world and then act, in mission, together.