Like every church that uses small groups, there are highs and lows. Some things are done really well, while other areas struggle. In reality that’s the way every ministry of the church goes. As we prepare to launch a semester of small groups for the Fall, I’ve been doing some reading and snooping around on the internet. I will be posting some book reviews in more detail in the coming days, but here are some things that have been beneficial to me.
Small Groups dot com! This website is a part of the Christianity Today family. That means the quality of material presented is excellent. For the main website, the material is for sale. You can buy articles individually or for $99 per year you can have access to thousands of articles and Bible studies and other resources. I didn’t make that investment, but given the quality of the people involved I would say that it would be worth it. However, there is a blog , newsletter, and other good stuff for small groups available on the site that is worthwhile … including….
Small Groups Digizine. A digizine is a digital magazine. Clicking on the link will open up the digizine reader, so give it a minute. It’s just like reading a magazine … there are some great articles, and lots of advertisements! Good stuff, though, in a format we’ll probably see more in the future.
Matt Dabbs’ Small Group Resources. Matt has done a great job of assembling a good set of studies that are available, plus a variety of links to other small group resources. He does add to this from time to time, so I definitely have that bookmarked.
Here are a few of the books that have been helpful to me during this season of getting ready for small groups. All of them are available for Kindle.
Simple Small Groups by Bill Search. This is just excellent – a superb resource for all small group leaders. I think Bill makes small groups accessible to everyone.
Activate by Nelson Searcy. Searcy takes a different path to small groups than most people. He has some great ideas that I think would fit best in a new church environment. It’s a valuable resource that doesn’t waste a lot of time with frills…he gets to the point. Available for Kindle.
Creating Community: Five Keys to Building a Small Group Culture by Andy Stanley and Bill Willits. I’m not through with this book but have already gained some good insights. Will likely post more later.
Soul Shaping Small Groups by Kim V. Engelmann. Of the books I’ve read on small groups, I think I love this one the most. I’m not sure that all of the small groups at church could run with the concepts here, but I think it would be great if in the mix of groups there was at least one group deidcated to prayer practices. Engelmann had me laughing out loud as she shared some of her feelings about small groups, which resonated with me. I love the idea that she presents here and recommend this book – you’ll read it quickly and hope she writes more.
Missional Small Groups by M. Scott Boren. I’ve just started this one and it looks like it’s going to be awesome. I have committed to write a full review of this book, and I’ll let you know when that happens. It’ll appear first at Missional Outreach Network – which I’m sure you already read. Right?
There is no dearth of books and materials for small groups. I didn’t even mention the great resources associated with Serendipity and Navigators … small group material is available everywhere. Finding something that fits YOUR small group is sometimes challenging. Would like for you to share your favorite resources in the comments!
Thanks for reading,
John
I have hosted small groups for a total of about 5 years in two different churches, one very small and one very large. I received training from Willow Creek Church, the mother ship of small groups, and attended a two day seminar in Dallas on small groups.
..some observations. The more structured groups are, unless they are self structured, the less like they are to really help people and they probably will not last long. Elders should empower the leaders and participants to be innovative and allow the group to take on it’s own personality.
Programs do not make a small group that functions well. Holy Spirit led people do. After many years of small group experimentation Willow Creek finally realized they were leaning too heavily on programs, trying to achieve uniformity, and made a shift back to allowing mature Christians to actually lead groups.
The most important thing is purpose. Some churches want to have groups for the same reason they once had bus ministries, only a fad, trying to keep up with other churches. Some have groups on Sunday afternoons to ease the guilt of not having a Sunday night service (or very low attendance) and they can fell good that members are actually having “church” on Sunday p.m.
The purpose of groups should be to facilitate the “one another” ministries of people being involved in the lives of others that will not likely happen any other way in our society. They should facilitate the congregation being “salt and light” in the community. Benevolent projects, inviting unchurched friends, and fleshing out Christ to their neighbors should be goals. Then also, training leaders. There is no better way of maturing and nurturing leaders than having them host small groups. And finally, planting churches. Thousands of churches have been birthed out of small groups. When you think about it, almost every church planting couple begins with an informal small group in their home, its the best way to plant a new work.
Royce
Good points Royce, thanks for sharing them.
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Both churches I have been a member of have active small groups. My current church has about 70% of the membership in a small group.
I think Northside’s success in part is due to having a wide range of types of groups. There are connect groups which meet weekly (young adults) or fortnightly (older adults) in the evenings (and these are on different days from Mon-Thurs to give people a range of options to suit their schedules). There are prayer groups and a Christian meditation group. The teens meet on Fri night. There is a men’s business group (meets for breakfast or lunch in the CBD from time to time) and a women’s professional group (meets on Friday evenings in the city a couple of times a year). We have a women’s study group (Wed mornings but not every week), a women’s coffee group (every second Tues morning), a needlework and craft group (one Saturday afternoon a month), a group for women whose husbands are not Christian (meets after Sun am service once a month – these women find it hardest to attend a group), a bunch of women who do breakfast on a Saturday morning about once every 2 months. There is a 50-ish group who do plays and movie nights at church on a Sat night and Mothertime for mums of babies and toddlers (where childcare is provided so mums have some undivided time to chat). I have probably missed lots of groups but that gives an indication of the range.
Wow, Wendy, thanks for sharing the many ways small groups can enliven so many ministries!
We have had success with small groups for the past couple of years. Starting out the enthusiasm and attendance was very good.
This past summer the small groups were canceled and currently some are doing community projects.
I love small groups and as Royce said, it is great with Holy Spirit led people. You really get to know others and their hurts, joys and needs and you come to know God on a much deeper level.
For the past 5-6 years, my husband and I have been involved with 6-8 other couples (and singles) who meet each Thursday evening. We start at 7 and meet until 10 or later. We rotate houses each week. We usually visit the first hour and then study the remaining time. Often we get off the subject and that is fine, people have questions and comments and we always try to answer these questions from the bible. Currently we are studying “what is it really like to be crucified with Christ”. It is a great study and great for self-examination and looking at our commitment.
I have concluded (after being in the church for many years) that true commitment to Christ is the main reason attendance is low on Sunday evenings, Wednesday evenings, small groups and other activities outside of the Sunday morning assemblies. Too many are comfortable with checking that “Sunday morning box” off their list and are missing out on the understanding and joy of living for Christ 24/7.
I am just commenting on my own observations, not judging, not condemning. “Such were some of you” (me). I was too preoccupied with the world and all it had to offer until I realized why I still felt empty. Christ was not in me Monday through Saturday, and really not even on Sunday. I was just going through the motions.
We have to be fully committed to whatever we do to be successful.
Janice, that is a wonderful testimony to the power of small groups. Thank you!
Hey John. Great minds think alike. I’ve been working on pulling together a small group online resource list for the Missional Outreach Network. Thanks for highlighting these links. And we’ll look forward to the review of Missional Small Groups on MON!
Thanks James… I’m looking forward to writing that review!
John,
Thanks for posting to these resources…you’ve compiled some great stuff!
Thanks Ben!