A Church of Small Groups

Small group ministry is rooted in the Bible and in church history and has always been a part of church life. Small groups allow a level of intimacy that enables evangelism, spiritual growth and one-another ministry; a level of intimacy that can bring about genuine life change.

Small groups are biblical. Jesus called out twelve to be His disciples. He spent a lot of time with them, taking every opportunity to teach them the principles of kingdom living. They were, then, to go out and make other disciples (Matthew 28:19-20.)
 
The earliest expression of the church is seen in Acts 2:46-47: "Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved."

The believers met together in intimate groups in their home and publicly celebrated in larger groups. Is it a coincidence that Acts 20:20 talks about preaching in public places and from house to house or is this a message for the year of the Coronavirus?

There are historical precedents as well. When the Roman authorities repealed the laws that outlawed Christianity, church life became more organized and centered around a building and professional clergy. But throughout history people would continue to meet in small groups for prayer, Bible study and spiritual growth. Their emphasis was on “heart religion” and the church as a community. As these groups grew in number, spiritual maturity, and influence, they would often renew their churches and lead wide spread revivals.

Small groups became part of the institutional church through Sunday school. Sunday school provided an intimate climate for Bible study and assimilation into the church life. It was used by most denominations by 1930 and involved 75% of churchgoers by 1956. The Sunday school program is credited for the phenomenal growth of Baptist churches in the 20th Century.  It was where Christians were discipled and new leaders were discovered and developed.

Soon small group evangelism and discipleship spilled out of the church and into military bases and college campuses through groups like Navigators and Campus Crusade. With a different purpose, Alcoholics Anonymous began as a Christian group that brought people together for prayer, reliance on God and mutual accountability and support. Other similar programs soon followed. The success of both support groups and discipleship groups  is rooted in peer leadership and taking ministry to the people.

Expanding Bible study beyond Sunday morning and outside the church building removes many unnecessary obstacles. On the other hand, there are advantages to the traditional Sunday school model. You can go to worship and Bible study on the same day and there are programs for children and teens. It is, also, easier to administrate. The best path for most churches is to continue Sunday school and expand it beyond the walls.

Small groups can be formed in homes, at your work place, or in a public setting (like Starbucks, McDonalds or the Library.) These groups usually involve Bible study but service, support and fellowship also play an important part. They are centered on God and intentional about spiritual growth.

Baptist Temple is going to make strong effort in the post-pandemic era to build a church of multiplying small groups scattered in the community and gathered on Sunday. This is not a new strategy for us but, rather, a renewed focus.

Here are two great books on the subject for further study:

• Making Small Groups Work

• Home Cell Group Explosion: How Your Small Group Can Grow and Multiply

BAPTIST TEMPLE COVID-19 UPDATE

God has had His hand on Baptist Temple from its beginning. He has protected us and enabled us to do ministry through numerous global, national and local emergencies. Through each one Baptist Temple has listened to God and adapted to the new opportunities revealed within the challenges.

Prior to the COVID-19 emergency, Baptist Temple was strongly positioned for ministry to our community. We had turned our most visible asset, our buildings, into a hub of important services for our community. In doing this, we multiplied our ministry capacity while dividing our expenses. We efficiently and effectively served the spiritual and physical needs of our community. During this time of social distancing, we still operate essential services through our early learning center and funeral office. Meanwhile, our solar panels quietly provide energy for our community, our cell tower keeps folks connected, and our radio antennas keep security alarms on line.

We are ahead of several trends that church consultants have identified for the 21^st Century.

1. Moving from an attractional church model to a missional one. This is a part of Baptist Temple's history and so much a part of who we are that we are surprised and disappointed when a church is not missional.
2. Today churches are built to accommodate 300 worshipers at a time. Large arenas are a Baby Boomer phenomenon whose passing is being accelerated by COVID-19. It seems our sanctuary size fits the new ideal.
3. Multiple worship times are the new expectation. We have offered as many as seven services from seven different churches in multiple languages and styles.
4. A rule of thumb for worship spaces was that filling to 80% of capacity was comfortable. The new post COVID-19 capacity is expected to be 60%. People want more space.

Another of our strengths that, while not a trending, is still God-pleasing, is focusing outreach on the people that other churches overlook: older adults, the poor, the mentally ill and the disabled. While our efforts have been delayed for a season, we have nearly completed our inclusive playground and we will bounce back stronger than ever.

Robert Newman came on staff shortly before the pandemic. This is a clear example of God's hand. His many skills and talents include those that have expanded our internet media communications just when they were most needed. COVID-19 has pushed many churches into the 21^st Century and this will become a growing part of our communications process. We are on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and Pinterest. We also communicate regularly though our email newsletter, blog, video conference, telephone and mail.

Paths to the future include close contact and small groups. Our phone angels call each of our people on a weekly basis, maintaining close communication while we are apart. When we return, small groups will be a core discipleship strategy. This is not new for us. Sunday school has been at the heart of the explosive growth of Baptist churches for nearly a century. At the same time, parachurch groups such as Campus Crusade and the Navigators used small groups to disciple young people on college campuses and military bases. AA and other 12 step programs use them to help people cope with their pain. Almost all of our members have had experience with one or more of these groups.

I envision a combination of church-based groups, home groups, lunch-time Bible studies, etc. They will be integrated by a support system of training and coaching. The goal will be to help people grow to be more like Jesus, wherever they are on their walk.

Another path for the future is Stephen Ministry. Our highly trained Stephen Ministers will meet one on one with folks who need a little extra grace for a time. The path to the future is a continued focus on the Great Commission:

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age”

Matthew 28:19-20 (NIV)

God expects us to do ministry to the level of one percent.

Jesus told a story about a shepherd who had 100 sheep (Luke 15:4-7.) When he noticed that one was missing, he left the 99 as he went to search for the one lost sheep. We can pick up two quick applications for ministry in the church.

1. Usually, only a small part of the flock is suffering at one time. The 99 were fine and did not need close attention.
2. Although only one out of 100 was lost, the shepherd focused his attention on that one sheep. God expects us to do ministry to the level of one percent.

That level of ministry is impossible for one person to carry out alone. Moses tried to do that. Exodus 18 describes a long line of people waiting all day to see Moses. The people's needs were not being met and Moses was wearing himself out. Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, had a better way. He suggested that trustworthy leaders be selected for every 10 families, along with higher level leaders for groups of 50, 100, and 1000.

Centuries later the early church would face a dispute over the distribution of food. The Apostles were called in to rule on the matter. They decided on a shared ministry plan. They would focus on the ministry of prayer and the Word and seven spiritually mature leaders would take care of the ministry to widows (Acts 6.)

These three stories teach us about the community of God's people. Churches usually use Sunday school and other small group meetings to maintain community. Other methods include service and social groups. These groups help folks minister to one another in good times and bad.

Another level of care comes through deacon ministry. Each deacon has a number of families for which to provide pastoral care. Some of these folks are no longer able to attend church but are still part of our spiritual family. Some are not yet strongly connected to the church but they, too, are part of our flock. This ministry of community is an important part of church life. It is the thread that ties the worship, teaching, serving and giving together. We cannot neglect it.

The spiritual power of pairs and small groups

Mark 6:7-13

Jesus divided the 12 disciples into pairs and sent them out on mission, giving them authority over impure spirits.

This sending of the disciples two-by-two has a practical side. Solomon advises, “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, NIV)

There is a spiritual side as well. Jesus said, “Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” (Matthew 18:19-20, NIV)

The Book of Acts repeatedly illustrates these pairings:

• Peter & John (Acts 3:1-5)
• Barnabas & Paul (Acts 13:42-43)
• Paul & Silas (Acts 16:16-30)

Following Jesus' model of working in pairs increases accountability and provides encouragement. Working in pairs, the disciples experienced ministry success; they drove out many demons and healed the sick. (Mark 6:13)

A new family

 Mark 3:31-35

Jesus rejected his family when they came to get him. He said that he had a new family. (Mark 3:31-35) Is this a contradiction of the commandment to honor our parents?

Elsewhere in the Gospels Jesus said, “Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. (Matthew 10:37)

Jesus is not telling us that family is no longer important. While he was dying on the cross Jesus made provision for his mother's care. The Bible tells us that if a Christian will not care for his own family he is worse than an unbeliever.

In this particular case, Jesus' family came to rescue him. They wanted him to come back home and stop aggravating the religious authorities. Jesus tells us that following God's will is greater than blood ties. His family is all who follow Him.

The gospel spread quickly through the cities of the Middle East and Southern Europe among the slaves and servants who had been separated from their families. Their old social ties had been cut and, in Jesus, they had found a new family. Paul would tell them, “Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of His household... (Ephesians 2:19)”

Onesimus, who was once a slave was now a brother to his former owner, Philemon.

In America it is common for families to be spread across the world by career choices. Some, through a variety of circumstances, find themselves with no family to call upon. Like First Century Christians they are separated from their support group. The church offers an opportunity to be a second family through small groups and Sunday School. Reach out to someone and invite them into your group.

Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.

Mark 3:35

Frontline caregivers

In Exodus 18 we learn that Moses dealt with his endless counseling needs by enlisting the help of qualified people. He set up one leader for every ten and set up a chain of support for groups of 50, 100 and 1000. Moses would handle the tough cases.

The same principle can help a growing church to meet the needs of its members better than a frantic pastor trying to chase after every pain and problem. The New Testament (written before we had paid, professional clergy) encouraged believers to minister to one another.

Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up… 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. James 5:16

Sunday school teachers, small group leaders and deacons ought to be trained as the frontline caregivers. The tools of the Christian caregiver are the Bible, prayer and listening.

More about Basic Caring Skills

The Small Group Structure

Whether they meet in homes, dorm rooms or in church on Sunday morning, small groups are essential to building a Christian community. A simple, easily expandable structure will facilitate numerical growth and leadership development.

The structure described here can be used in Sunday school or off campus meetings: The Small Group Structure

Crossing cultural divides

I had an opportunity to talk to some seminary students about cross cultural ministry today. They are working in a church where the members are primarily middle class Anglos but the transitioning community is primarily poor Hispanics. They are tasked with the community outreach ministry. They have had much success with ESL and youth sports programs but cannot get the community folk into Sunday school and worship.

Their frustration highlights the complicated nature of multicultural (and transitional) churches. Although the Anglo church has taken steps to reach out to the community there are still some challenges to overcome.

There are language barriers, cultural differences, socioeconomic disparity and more. While church members may be willing to make adjustments, the unchurched have no compelling reason to come to worship. So, the big challenge is the fact that the unchurched are…well…unchurched.

Just because a person comes for English classes and brings their kids for soccer doesn’t mean that they are agreeing to Sunday worship. It does, however, offer an opportunity to build a friendship. Multiple contacts over time and the working of the Holy Spirit are the keys to soul-winning.

If the prospects won’t come to church, they might attend a home-based Bible discussion group. They primary objective ought to be community building with light Bible discussion. As the group develops cohesiveness, more serious Bible study can be introduced.

There’s no guarantee that they will come to the Sunday morning main event but it does provide an opportunity for witness and discipleship.

Why I came back to Sunday school

I strayed from Sunday school for many years. I was told that the Sunday school era was over. It confined people to a certain hour on a certain day; growth would be limited by the size of building, etc.

Small groups were the thing. The unlimited space and scheduling options promised the potential for megachurch results. There were rumors of super churches in Korea and other far away places. Furthermore, this model was used successfully by AA, Campus Crusade and other parachurch groups.

As a church planter (usually lacking buildings) this was good news. I read all the books I could find, I went to a few training events and I diligently started small groups that multiplied. I even used home-based small groups when I had church buildings.

I had as much success as anyone in my corner of the world but I was growing weary of stagnant groups, absenteeism (work, school, sick, etc.), and childcare issues. I noticed that our local megachurch was doing things a little different. Their groups met on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at the church. This not only provided a consistent and familiar location but also childcare. AND they were showing remarkable growth.

I took this to be a revelation and moved our small groups to Sunday morning. People were already there for worship and there was childcare available. The results were immediate: reduced stress, increased attendance and new members.

I believe that small groups are essential to a healthy, growing church and can be done just as easily (perhaps, easier) on Sunday morning as they are on any other day and time. On Sunday you have the advantage of mutual supporting activities. This doesn’t rule out other small groups but Sunday school is far from dead.

Read more about Basic Christian Community.