Small Group Models

Cell Groups

Proponent: Touch Outreach Ministries, Wellspring Church


Description


The Cell Group models views small groups as the basic unit of a church congregation, much like an organic cell is the basic unit of a human body. Thus, small groups are not treated as "one program among many," but are necessary. Four key items make up the DNA of a cell group: worship, edification, relational evangelism, and discipleship. And if operating properly, each cell group will grow and multiply on its own, transferring this DNA from group to group.

Cell groups usually have between 5 and 15 members; they prefer to meet weekly in addition to "doing life together" between gatherings.


Advantages

Strength 1:Cell groups are intentional about creating full-bodied disciples of Christ.
Strength 2:Cell groups are a practical and effective way to build a culture of discipleship within a local church.
Strength 3:Cell groups focus on relational evangelism and are a proven way to grow the kingdom of God.

Disdvantages

Weakness 1:Elevating the importance of small groups beyond other ministries sometimes causes cell groups to withdraw from the rest of the church and become isolated.
Weakness 2:The cell structure lacks flexibility and can be rigid within an overall small-groups ministry.
Weakness 3:The emphasis on evangelism and numerical growth can potentially limit the level of trust and intimacy within a group.




Free Market Groups

Proponent

New Life Church
National Community Church

Description

Groups form around specific interests, topics, or affinities. The goal is to transform an interest group into a spiritual community through relationships and spiritual practices. Groups may be large or small, and topics are developed by the leader.

A key assumption behind this model is that people don't want to be told what to do. They want choices. Another assumption is that, like businesses in a free-market economy, healthy groups will flourish while unhealthy groups will die. As a result, churches should encourage a diversity of small groups and allow things to thrive or whither naturally.

Advantages

Strength 1:Starting a group is easy, and groups are ideally formatted for fellowship and relational development.
Strength 2:Effective for evangelism because the groups are organized around hobbies or common interests.
Strength 3:Leaders form the vision for their groups based on their own individual passions and skills, rather than adapting to the church's vision.

Disdvantages

Weakness 1:A broad definition of small groups can over-inflate the number of people actually participating in meaningful discipleship.
Weakness 2:Groups may not be focused on spiritual formation and growth.
Weakness 3:Groups are often transitory, which can be a detriment to any genuine intimacy and connection between members.


Info gathered from smallgroups.com

The Engel Scale - Spiritual Decision Process Model

The Engel Scale shows the progression of those who move toward Christ, make a salvation decision and then follow Him. Please follow this link to see the presentation: Engel Scale Presentation

Small Group Models

OPEN SMALL GROUPS

Proponent

First Presbyterian Church of Beaver, Pennsylvania
Bridges Community Church

Description

Open small groups have space available for visitors and new members. Most of these groups generally remain "open" all the time, meaning there is no limit to the amount of new people who can join. Some will begin a birthing process for a new group once a specific number of regular attenders is reached. Other models "close" their groups once they reach a certain size—often between 8 and 12 regular members.

Open groups often symbolize their desire for visitors and new members by keeping an "empty chair" present in the gathering, and then praying for the person who will soon occupy that chair.

Advantages

Strength 1: Open groups are outreach friendly and a proven tool for multiplication.
Strength 2: They help group members stay focused on evangelism and encourage regular prayer for unbelievers.
Strength 3: They allow for greater flexibility within a small-groups ministry.

Disdvantages

Weakness 1: Some feel that open groups limit the potential for deeper intimacy, accountability, and trust.
Weakness 2: If not controlled, open groups can grow to a size that damages the community feel of a small-group experience.
Weakness 3: Open groups often do not inspire a high level of commitment.


CLOSED SMALL GROUPS

Proponent

North Point Church
Cartersville First Baptist Church

Description

Closed small groups limit the number of participants in order to focus on building trust, intimacy, and accountability between group members. Once a group starts, new members and visitors are generally discouraged from attending meetings. Closed groups usually convene for a specific period of time before "opening" back up to welcome new members. This time period can last anywhere from a semester of study to several years.

Advantages

Strength 1:The members of a closed small group generally have a high expectation for discipleship and spiritual growth.
Strength 2:Closed groups provide an opportunity for deeper levels of trust and accountability.
Strength 3:Closed groups require a high level of commitment from their members.

Disdvantages

Weakness 1:Closed groups can hinder the practice of relational evangelism, as "seeking" friends and family are prohibited from joining.
Weakness 2:Some believe that closed groups have a tendency to become inward-focused, which can eventually lead to cliques, gossip, bitterness, and so on.
Weakness 3:Closed groups do not provide much flexibility for the overall small-groups ministry.


Info gathered from smallgroups.com