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SMALL GROUP MINISTRY - 11/4/2009 4:38:42 PM
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cyndelu
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We have a small church averaging 60 during worship service. I have just recently been asked to lead "small groups" and am in the process of learning more about this type ministry. Can anyone tell me what kind of small group ministry they have, what it consists of and how it works?Most of our members are young adults, though we have several seniors.
Thanks
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RE: SMALL GROUP MINISTRY - 11/4/2009 4:54:36 PM
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furrypurrykitty
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I'm a member of a church that has attendance of 2000+, so being in a small group is a great way to get to know people. The group I'm in has been meeting for several years and started out as a group for people interested in Christian drama (drama in worship, special programs, etc.) We meet every other Wednesday night. Sometimes we have a meal together, but lately we've been meeting at the cafe at Barnes & Noble. The group is mainly fellowship-oriented, although we have done various Bible studies together.
What you may want to do first is have the people at your church fill out a survey and indicate what kind of small group they're interested in (a particular age group? Couples or singles? Only women or only men? A group for a particular interest?) and what days and times are convenient for them to meet. My church keeps this kind of form available all the time for people who are interested in joining a small group.
You didn't indicate what denomination your church is, but LifeWay Christian Resources (Southern Baptists) has lots of resources for small groups. Just go to www.lifeway.com and do a search.
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RE: SMALL GROUP MINISTRY - 11/4/2009 4:56:50 PM
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cyndelu
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that was very helpful. thank you
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RE: SMALL GROUP MINISTRY - 11/5/2009 10:56:03 AM
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davelinde
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This idea is pretty broad and can encompass all kinds of activities. I've been involved in small group ministries for about 15 years in 3 different places. In my experience, the ministry attempted to be more than just a social event or Bible study (though those things happened). The goal was to be able to make "church" more than just a thing you attended on Sunday.
The groups were small (doh, hence the name) which meant they were made of between 2 and 6 families and could have anywhere from 4 to 20 people attending. The groups were held in homes (not the church building). The groups had a leader.
Aspects of the group were:
fellowship, social interaction, fun (Welcome)
learning, discussing, study (Word)
prayer and praise time (Worship)
outreach and a goal to divide the group to grow (Witness)
TO my thinking your starting point would be to identify group leaders, get them on the same page wrt to goal/intent, and get them some training.
Then again, this term could mean something completely different...
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RE: SMALL GROUP MINISTRY - 11/5/2009 12:25:34 PM
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rcjames
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Small groups, properly organized and operated (Biblically), are a really great thing.
But the are part of a larger conundrum as the vast majority of Churches are all about getting larger and larger and larger (that is the crust of the ministry), then they realize they are large (accomplished thier goal), but are not ministering as they probably should (spoken of in Scripture).
So the start trying to do smaller groups inlise of the larger groups to accomplish what Scripture calls for.
As my grandpappy said, a puppy chases his tail, but never seems to catch it.
Thanks
RC
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Read the first chapter of my latest book here;
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RE: SMALL GROUP MINISTRY - 11/5/2009 12:52:55 PM
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doinkdom
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There is a book titled Why Small Groups? by Sovereign Grace Ministries that takes a group of people through the process of understanding the function of small groups. I highly recommend it for the biblical function of small groups.
It is available free for download here.
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RE: SMALL GROUP MINISTRY - 11/5/2009 12:59:54 PM
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davelinde
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quote:
ORIGINAL: rcjames
.... but are not ministering as they probably should (spoken of in Scripture).
So the start trying to do smaller groups inlise of the larger groups to accomplish what Scripture calls for.
You can start small groups to solve problems in the large group but it does not need to be the case. Small groups can also be THE way the large group is built. In two church plants where I've been small group ministry was there on "day 1".
There is another conundrum I've seen commonly too. A benefit of small groups is that it gives multiple leaders a place to serve by leading and learn by doing. A thriving small group ministry will have a perpetual need for group leaders. People can move from passive attenders to active participants in "church". However it always seems (to my observation) that the hardest part of maintaining a small group ministry is getting enough leaders.
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RE: SMALL GROUP MINISTRY - 11/5/2009 1:11:10 PM
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davelinde
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here's a link to resources Joel Comisky I know we've used in the past. There are lots of SG guides, ideas etc. out there.
to the OP, when you were given this assignment did you get any other guidance/instruction on what is intended?
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RE: SMALL GROUP MINISTRY - 11/5/2009 2:40:46 PM
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rcjames
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Another good read for small groups (especially in larger Churches) is Successful Home Cell Groups by Pastor Cho of the Yoido Full Gospel Church in Seoul Korea.(From Anazon for under $10).
I have been to the Church and observed the set up they did back in the eighties. They have a Church of well over 500,000 broken down into small groups of under 20 each.
Thanks
RC
< Message edited by rcjames -- 11/5/2009 2:46:56 PM >
_____________________________
Just a country Preacher's humble opinion
Read the first chapter of my latest book here;
http://www.deliveranceofsara.com
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RE: SMALL GROUP MINISTRY - 11/5/2009 3:15:41 PM
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DaveW
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I have been in congregations with small groups since 1974. I am a big promoter of them, even in smaller congregations. Cho certainly has made great use of them in Korea. Ortiz made great use of them in Argentina in the 70s.
Interestingly, before Derek Prince started them in the US based Discipleship movement circa 1972, those 2 men were already doing them in their native countries. But both were beat by a decade in the cloistered Orthodox Jewish communities in the US, back to about 1960.
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RE: SMALL GROUP MINISTRY - 11/11/2009 11:52:57 AM
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buckifn
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John Maxwell has some excellent books on leadership if you are wanting to become a small group leader I think you would benefit greatly from some of his writings. Just google his name- there are many resources.
Small group teachings is 1 of my areas of ministry. 2 things I can tell you which will definitely make your group go better...
1. Do NOT look to any other person for the exact pattern that will work for your group. Your group will have it's own unique needs and qualities. (I can't stress that enough)
So many times we think "hey that works at that church so let's do it here"...
2. Pray and seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit. He will guide you. Also, if you have someone such as a Pastor, Elder, or other teacher who can spend time with you on the progess etc it will be very helpful.
Here is how ours is set up- give or take a little.
We have four groups-
basically we are divided into 4 categories
Family Life/Relationships
Financial/Business
Spiritual Growth/ Topical Studies
New Converts/Discipleship
if you have specific questions I would be happy to answer them if I can.
Even though these are our four main focus areas right now they can be changed, but when we initially surveyed our congregation we found those areas were the ones of most interest.
We also limit our classes to a max. number of people...If it is a couples class the maximum is 5 couples....if a business/finance class the max. is 15, Discipleship max is 6....so you can find what works best for you.
Also, you will want clear set goals, expectations decided and agreed upon by everyone in the group. People look to a group leader for accountability, respect of privacy, and spiritual purity and personal integrity. I believe they have every right to ask that of a leader.
You are in for 1 GREAT journey. I am praying for you. One of the most wonderful parts of being a group leader for me is how much I learn from those in the class.
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RE: SMALL GROUP MINISTRY - 11/11/2009 3:53:01 PM
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kernsfamily
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Small groups make a church of ANY size more "personable"....even a church with as few as 300 (fairly small), small groups make it possible for just a few people to get to know another...and, to learn from each other...do bible studies that they have a "common interest" in. And, simply have fellowship with one another. It's easy to have 4-5 other couples over at your home....for dinner and fellowship. Not so when you're inviting over the entire congregation!
Follow through with small groups, have solid teaching and preaching throughout the church....and, all of those people reaching out into the community and spreading God's word, inevitably, church growth will occur. And, WITHOUT "trying to grow"....as not all large churches are "all about" being big and growing. It just happens...when being obedient to God and following "His" plan for the church.
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Proud dad of 3 great girls....Blessed to have all of them in a "totally awesome" public elementary school!
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