One of my assignments for Liberty this semester was to interview local pastors about the use of small groups in his church. I chose my good friends, Chris Reeder and Brian Howard for this project. After reading their responses, I feel that their insight would be helpful for anyone wishing to use small groups.
Chris is a computer programmer turned church planter. He works for ACS Technologies and is a church planter with the South Carolina Baptist Convention. Chris’ church is called The Revolution and was started June 1. Below are his answers to my questions.
1. Are there specify teachings of your faith that support the use of small groups in your congregation? If so, what are they?
Yes. In Acts 2:46, scripture states “And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts.”
In Acts 12:12 we find Peter going to the house of Mary where many were gathered together and were praying.
In Acts 20:8 scripture mention the many lamps in the upper room where we were gathered.
In Acts 20:20 scripture reads “how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house”
In Romans 16:4-5 states “to whom not only I give thanks but all the churches of the Gentiles give thanks as well. Greet also the church in their house.”
1 Corinthians 16:19 states “The churches of Asia send you greetings. Aquila and Prisca, together with the church in their house, send you hearty greetings in the Lord.”
Philemon 2 states “and Apphia our sister and Archippus our fellow soldier, and the church in your house:”
In Mathew 10:1, scripture states “And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority…” Jesus himself had a small group that He used to radically change the world.
Also in Matthew 28:19 the Bible states “Go therefore and make disciples.” I feel that small groups are the best means of building disciples. This is discussed further in question two.
2. Are small groups used in your congregation? Why or why not?
Yes. We are a young church plant that only has small group gatherings. In the future, we will begin a Sunday experience but as of now, the priority is our Life (small) Groups.
We use our groups to lead others to become fully devoted followers of Christ who are not simply satisfied with going to church, but desire to be the church. Through our groups, we fellowship, study the Bible, pray, and serve our community together.
Groups are used for encouraging one another, accountability for one another, and just flat out doing life together.
We build our leadership through groups also. Leaders invest in other group members and form mentor/ apprentice relationships. This builds new leaders that will plant new small groups. Multiplication of groups is stressed and expected.
3. What are the biggest challenges to having small groups in your congregation?
1. The fellowship time. The Bible clearly stresses the need for fellowship and the breaking of bread and prayers (Acts 2). We have a 2 hour gathering time (6-8 pm) on Wednesday nights. We have to get off work, prepare meals, feed the kids, and eat before 7 pm.
2. Finding and growing leaders. Our ultimate goal is to birth new groups out of existing groups. The optimum result is to grow the leaders within the group, and send them out. This is hard because most want to be part of something, but not necessarily lead it. Also, once unity and intimacy is built within a group, people are less likely to want to venture out into something new. It takes a lot of time, patience, and trust to build leaders, and send them out for new work.
There are more insights available as Chris discusses small groups and The Revolution’s experience with small groups at his blog.
Brian Howard is the pastor of Effingham Presbyterian Church in Effingham. He was recently called to Effingham from a church in the upstate. I thought it would be interesting to interview him as he is at an established church that is considered traditional. Below are his answers.
1. Are there specify teachings of your faith that support the use of small groups in your congregation? If so, what are they?
Jesus Christ used the small group format for his 12 disciples. He was a leader of leaders who equipped them to spread His ministry.
2. Are small groups used in your congregation? Why or why not?
Yes. Our college and careers uses the SG format since their generation is highly relational and less institutional. Our women’s ministry could be categorized as using the small group model as well– 3 different groups meet during the month for fellowship and bible study. The SG format allows for greater personal interaction and decentralized leadership.
3. What are the biggest challenges to having small groups in your congregation?
Balancing the sense that SGs are still “church” even though they meet in homes and on days other than Sunday/Wednesday. Also, insuring that they are theologically correct and emotionally healthy.
So there you have it.
Filed under: SBC, SCBC, church, megachurch | Tagged: Chris Reeder, Christianity, Church Growth, church multiplication, church planting, discipleship, Evangelism, religion, small church, small group, small group ministry, The Revolution, training
Thanks for the info.
Couple of questions
1. Could the traditional SS not be considered a small group? Why or why not? It is institutional but can it not be considered relational if done right?
2. Where does the traditional Sunday School fit in with your research? Should the SS not be given credit as the historical precedent for church growth through small groups?
I would agree with anyone that SS has lost its way in most churches to an internally focused classroom lecture. However, it is still a force within SBC churches. My church averages 50% of its enrollment every Sunday morning and 65% of those who attend church also come to SS.
I was recently in a large new church start that was celebrating their methodology during the announcements. They declared that all new members are required to be in a small group (which I applaud). They have no Sunday evening service or Wed. service. Then the associate pastor made the mistake of asking how many people in the congregation were enrolled in a small group during the week. Out of the 500+ present maybe 75 raised their hands. He said , “Obviously we need to enroll some of you today.” At least in the traditional SS setting most churches do a little better than that. I think SS can be improved and tinkered with in order to be more effective. I have challenged my church to start one new class per year by identifying a target group that is not attending SS. In doing so we have started successfully a couples class 18-30, couples 30-45, and an additional singles class from 18-30 in 4 years. These classes are highly relational and are the most progressive in the church.
Sorry to ramble.
I’d suggest to “pastorinthewoods” that Sunday Schools can indeed function as small groups. That said, I think those who have studied small group ministries more in depth could explain the nuances, but I’ll leave it at this: In many churches small groups function as Sunday Schools that don’t meet on Sunday and Sunday Schools function as Small Groups that don’t meet on weeknights! The “Three L’s” of Small Group ministry (living together, loving together, learning together…or some other variation) easily translate to the Sunday School setting.
The main differences I see between the realities of SS vs. SG are:
-SS often use a curriculum chosen by the church. The curriculum is often long-range. Small Groups often use a curriculum approved (but not dictated) by the church, and cycle through every 6-8 weeks.
-SS usually (always?) are geographically tied to the church building. Small Groups often meet in the community.
-SS are often planned yearly, particularly with younger ages who will be “promoted” in the coming school year. SG are often planned seasonally, with several life-cycles. SG may be intentionally long-term or short-term
Any way, this is my very non-scientific approach. To connect it to a traditional church setting, here is how it looks at Effingham Presbyterian right now:
-Adult Sunday Schools: Their 5 year curriculum covers all books of the Bible. Most classes have been together for 10-20 years. No food. Meets every week.
-Teen Sunday Schools: Curriculum is chosen seasonally, with leaders rotating every 12 weeks. Light refreshments are provided. This is a new approach that will begin in October.
-College/Career Small Group: This group has elected to NOT meet on Sunday Mornings, and instead meets weekly in various homes. Their curriculum is chosen every 6-8 weeks, leadership rotates weekly, food is provided. The group takes a 2 week break after every season ( a season is 6-8 weeks).
-Women of the Church: Meet monthly in three separate groups (called circles). In general, they study the same curriculum, rotate leadership, provide food, and renew on a yearly basis. They follow a model suggested by our denomination.
As you can see, regardless of what we call them (SS, SG, Circles) most gatherings of 10 or so people involve the same basic ingredients, leading one to conclude that many small groups are simply roses by another name.
( rose by another name) That is exactly my point.
In 50 years we will be calling SG’s old and outdated.
In my observations of boith SS and SG’s I find that there are severe weaknesses in both. Institutionalism must be conquered in this postmodern world if SS is to be successful. SS must look and feel more flexible to be relevant.
SG’s in my observation are hindered by a lack of control (institution) and focus on family indoctrination. It is often only youth and adult focused( that is not across the board). In my opinion the strongest part of SS is the teaching of children.
A blend of these two models could be quite effective in the future church.