SMALL GROUP MINISTRY (part 1)

SMALL GROUP MINISTRY

WHAT ARE SMALL GROUPS

Def.: "A Christian small group is an intentional face-to-face gathering of 3-12 people on a regular time schedule with a common purpose of discover and growing in the possibilities of the abundant life in Christ".

Important Factors

• Size (10-12 best for discussion)
• Time (at the least bi-weekly)
• Purpose (focus on specific theme/topic important)

TYPES OF GROUPS

a. Study Groups

*primarily information gathering and understanding

1. Bible study groups

2. Book study groups

b. Sharing Groups

• primarily committed to building relationships with an emphasis on self-disclosure and support for one another
• contrast to encounter or therapy groups

c. Ministry Groups

1. Committees (organizational function)

2. Accountability Groups

3. Mission Groups (task oriented)

   • inside the church

   • outside the church

4. Covenant Groups

   • blending of various components including study, sharing and accountability with a focus on discipleship with prayer

   • purpose: to be obedient to Jesus Christ

5. House Church

   • typically a collection of individuals (15-50) who worship together as well as having some financial relationship
     (i.e., mutual giving or a particular mission project). This can be the seeds for new congregations.

HOW TO BEGIN A SMALL GROUP

a. Bottom-Up – "Pre-Contracting"

• idea starts with individual (possibly leaders)
• recruit 2/3 to work with you
• brainstorm issues

   

  • time, resources, purpose, possible participation
• invite people personally and share ideas
• determine leadership pattern

   

  • single
  • partnership
  • rotating
• share resources
• initial meeting establishes roles/patterns
• evaluate first meeting and follow-up no shows
• important to promote diversity within groups

b. Top-Down – Large Scale Program

• develop church wide program to expose congregation to small group ministry
• at the conclusion, determine interest in continuing this kind of experience
• organize groups and delegate to pre-trained leader

STAGES IN GROUP LIFE

a. Pre-Contract

• work done in advance of the first meeting to clarify goals and recruit participants

b. Orientation

• depends on pre-contracting
• issue of acceptance and value of membership

c. Power and Control

• varies with time as well as subtle stage
• testing various behaviors/responses
• developing a "pecking order"
• necessary stage to evolve through to become cohesive group

d. Trust

• a move from "I" to "we, us"
• different levels indicated by level of communication

e. Differentiation (middle to end of 2nd year)

• a stage where the purpose/goals/leadership changes as the needs and interests of its participants changes
• possible time for disbanding

f. Conclusion or New Beginning

• need to recognize what has been accomplished
• time of sharing what has happened
• time of prayer for future
• or possibility of recontracting with new people and/or purpose
• or one group may spawn several groups