More people in our small groups than attend our weekly large group meeting.

Why is this a problem? Because our small groups are supposed to be where we do our “sending”. Where we disciple eachother, engage in the mission together, serve together, etc. But I have a feeling that people use the small group time for simple socialization. Hanging out and goofing off.

So it always confuses me when our “numbers reports” come in saying we have more people in small group than we do in our large group meetings.

Why are they not coming together to worship with us, to celebrate and have fellowship with the rest of the church.

I just think its a funny problem :)

I think that your line of thinking is helpful, particularly in respect to your last comment that such a perspective helps every member of your community understand his/her vital role in the ministry of the Church.

I wouldn’t want to abolish all lines of demarcation between members and non-menbers though (not suggesting you’re advocating this). I know the whole “emerging” paradigm is hesitant to draw sharp boundaries about who’s in and who’s out, but I think that the Church needs to maintain at least some line of demarcation (even if it is subjective) between those who have “repented of their own story” and have embraced the story of God’s redemptive work and the present reign of Christ’s kingdom.

I guess I’m trying to say that I think the people connected to the church as members are in a different category than those that are connected to the church as non-members.

But all the same, I think such a perspective has merit and helps the members of a church understand the interconnectedness of not only their immediate church relations, but also these second tier relationships. Just as I would embrace someone you might bring to church, so too I can embrace your friend even though they may not be ready to come yet.

That being said I doubt this is too much of a problem in the emerging church. If anything the emerging church tends to swing too far in the other direction. A little too “accepting” perhaps.

While I may not agree with everything in the emerging church I find the community/relational aspects of the movement compelling. One of the defining aspects of the Christian walk is our love for our fellow believer. It is much easier to form close-knit, biblical relationships in this kind of family atmosphere.

Provided a church is actively engaged in Christ centered ministry to its non-believing neighbors its attendance count has little meaning.

– Dan B.