Small Group Foundations

Here are some of the core elements of small group ministry:

* Life-on-life is the optimum environment for spiritual growth. I’ve often said that what happens in a worship service is closest in kind to a defibrillator. A great message and inspiring worship can jump start your heart spiritually, but it’s not permanent change. It’s temporary. As soon as you’re in the traffic jam on the way out of the parking lot you’re heart is back to where it was. What does bring change? Life on life. Surgery or therapy happens when the Holy Spirit uses relationships.
* The best delivery system for life-on-life is a small group. Will it work for everybody every time? No. But the easiest way to impact the most people is through small groups.
* Interaction is a key to life-change. Facilitated discussion leading to personal application combined with the support and nurture of shared lives leads to life-change.
* Every believer is the relative shepherd to someone (and in most circumstances a group of someones). The leader should be a step or two ahead of the ones he/she leads. I don’t have to be Jesus Junior. Only a step ahead.
* Groups have a life span. The normal life span of a group is about 18 to 24 meetings. Groups can meet much longer than that but barring the infusion of new blood and a very proactive leader, groups that continue to meet become more about fellowship and less about transformation.
* Providing life support for dying groups is counter-productive. When I proactively send new members to a dwindling group I am usually keeping alive something that needs something a few new members won’t provide. Better to build leaders and groups that are intentionally building new relationships outside the group.
* The easiest way to impact a community is through an ever growing network of outward looking groups. With the right curriculum and the right strategy…a church can impact the neighbors and friends of every member.

By Mark Howell