Why Small Groups Don't Work (Part 2)

The problem

A lot of churches around the country are struggling with small groups. Some pastors are thinking about (or have already) dropped the idea as a major focus. They believe strongly in the value of small groups of people doing life together, but the effectiveness of the groups seems to be waning. (Not your group or your church, we're talking about those other churches) Yesterday I said that I feel there is a missing link in how many churches approach small groups. Here is the major reason small groups don't work:

Small Groups don't work because we miss the point of small groups

Relationships aren't the point

We often sell small groups as a way to build close relationships. That is a great aspect of a small group, but not the main thing. We can build relationships at a bar, playing golf, or knitting baby booties. (Which is a funny mental picture if you think about it.) The reality is that we don't NEED small groups to build relationships, though we certainly can and should build relationships there. Relationships are not the point of small groups, they are an outcome.

Discipleship isn't the point

We talk about discipleship through small groups, which is obviously very important. But discipleship can happen without a small group. Discipleship can happen one-on-one, in a huge group, alone on an island with a Bible and a healthy supply of C.S. Lewis. You don't have to have a small group to be a disciple of Christ. It helps, but it isn't required. Discipleship isn't the point of small groups, it is an outcome.

Service isn't the point

A third proposed purpose of small groups is service. We should serve in the context of small group. This is a huge element. If a small group isn't serving then I have to ask why they exist at all? God never called us to get to know each better and to just study and pray. He came to serve and he called us to do the same. Small groups without serving is like being married but never having sex; sure you can do it, but why would you? But as important as serving is it is still an outcome rather than the main point.

Jesus' small group

Take a look at how Jesus started his small group. When he met Peter and John on the shore of Galilee he didn't ask them to hang out with him so they could get to know each other better. He didn't say that joining him would ensure that they'd always have someone to help load the Ye-Haul. He didn't talk about learning more or even about how they would have a chance to serve.

Jesus called them to be fishers of men. Jesus called the disciples into a completely new life. He said join my group, follow me and you will find your purpose for living. Not only that but you will learn how to live out the purpose. If you join my group we'll do more than life together; we'll change the world.

Why are YOU here?

People are desperate to find their purpose and to live that purpose out. 30 million people bought The Purpose Driven Life 30 million people! Why? Was it the greatest Christian book ever written? Not so much. Was it the amazing plot? It doesn't have a plot. Was it the awesome new insights? The book is the same stuff Rick has taught for years. 30 million people bought the book because they want to know their purpose. They want to know that their life matters. They want to leave a change the world.

Ephesian 2:10 says "we are God's workmanship created in Christ Jesus to do good works which God prepared in advance for us to do." We each have significant work to do while we are on earth, and nothing of real significance can be accomplished alone. It is only through joining with a group of radical believers that I can live out my purpose on earth. It is when I join forces with people with a similar passion, a similar bent, a similar holy discontent, to borrow a phrase from Bill Hybels, that I can make my mark in the world. Alone I am insignificant, unimportant on the world stage. Together with a band of believers, however, I can change the world. Just ask the 11 men who followed Jesus to the cross.

The point of small groups should be to rally around a cause, a purpose, a mission and to change the world. Our normal expectations for small groups is tragically anemic. Your small group shouldn't just change you, or change your friends; your small group should rock the world. "They have turned the world upside down, and now they have come to our town."

But our expectations are not the only problem with small groups; there is an inherent flaw with the structure of small groups that keep them from being outrageously effective. That is tomorrow's post.

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Be sure to read Part 1, Part 3, Part 4 for more of the story

Comments

[Mike Mahoney]

You had me nodding my head on the first post. And shaking it here.

No, you don't need small groups to do any of these things. But for many of them, small groups is the best way to accomplish them.

Yes, I would agree that the point of small groups should be to rally around a cause - and that cause should be the winning of souls. Small groups are an easy, non-threatening way to bring people into a Christ relationship. They offer a great way to disciple, and are very effective in relationship-building.

All of which leads to a very effective evangelism tool. Small groups will die if they are only turned inward.

[WillMarotti]

With all due respect - I feel you are being a little myoptic and unrealistic. If the only reason for small groups to exist is to rally around a cause - there is no reason for small groups to exist. The church at large is far more effective and powerful when it comes to rallying around a cause.

To think that cause rallying is the only point of small groups is limiting. The places where small group effectiveness is diminishing is probably where leadership support for small groups is diminishing.

[Geoff Surratt]

Mike: Sorry I got your head nodding in the other direction. I think we're on the same page though. My point is that small groups need a mission beyond themselves. The mistake we've made is making small groups about me.

Will: I have to admit that I had to look up myopic, but I do appreciate the due respect. :) I don't think I am being nearsighted on this. I actually think the inward focus we have given small groups is nearsighted. What many churches are experiencing is that small groups lose their appeal when the mission is inwardly focused and small.

I would disagree with the idea that the church at large is more effective and powerful at rallying around a cause. A church is only as effective and powerful as the groups it contains. We have created a strange dichotomy where the "church" is determining a mission and carrying it out. I think small groups should be finding a mission and carrying it out. As these small groups, all on mission, unite under the banner of a church the power and effectiveness takes place.

As to unrealistic, you may be right. But I think every true revolution has been unrealistic. 12 men changing the world was the most unrealistic mission I've ever heard of.

[WillMarotti]

Geoff - I so respect what you and your church is doing! If God would bless our church with a tenth as much as he has yours I would be thrilled. I also respect you for hanging your thoughts and opinions out there. I totally agree with you that in practice "smaller" groups of people (and individuals)do carry out the mission of the church. I do believe it is limiting to suggest there is a singular reason for or goal of small groups. I have witnessed far more in our part of the vineyard. I'm done:)

[Jacob Musselman]

Ouch. You're kinda taking it on the chin, but I think this kind of thought couldn't come at a better time. I have been struggling with this idea, and I wonder if some type of ministry based small groups (mission minded small groups) would be a more effective way of doing small groups.

In Larry Osborne's book, Sticky Church, he states that people will really only give up two time slots per week (that statement matches my general observations). But if my worship team has to lead on Sunday (one time slot) and has to rehearse (two time slot), how can I over connect them with a small group? They are already spending time together, they have a mission together, they are being discipled. If I am more intentional about the relational aspect, then I've got a pretty healthy small group.

Furthermore, creating small groups based on mission provides the common bonding ground, rather than neighborhoods, ages, familial composition, etc.

Now, just have to figure out how to do it.

[Scott Marshall]

Geoff -
Couldn't agree more. As a former pastor of small groups at a large church and now lead pastor of a church that is being restarted, I am with you 100%. We (or, to more accurate and honest, I) sold people a bill of goods "Come find life-long friends!" "Grow as a disciple!" "Learn to knit baby booties..."wait, I think you said that, that we couldn't deliver on. In our zeal to be Trinitarian (relationships) and Missional (serve) and get rid of Sunday School (that we all knew didn't work anymore), we jumped wholesale on the small group bandwagon. I've since repented.

Our church is moving toward the missional community model of St Thomas Church in Sheffield, UK. 30-50 people who are "small enough to care, big enough to dare" who come together around a common mission. Learning it from neighbors of yours up the road in Pawleys Island from St Toms. Don't want to oversell and "new package" with that either...but it holds great promise for the sending of the church in the America.

[Jason Braun]

Geoff,
Good stuff. While I agree with everything you have said, I believe that for a group to rally around a cause (making disciples), you need to build an environment where this can happen. I believe Jesus did this too. I see at least 5 things that are critical for groups to change the world (none of them are the 'point' of the group but all are essential to the health and effectiveness of the group): leadership, vision, community, discipleship, and mission. Jesus provided leadership and vision to his disciples in the context of community. He led them to become mature disciples so they could fulfill the mission. Without any of one of these, a group will never achieve its redemptive potential..the hard part is pulling it all off and that is why groups can be so life giving and life draining for those of us that try and lead them. Thanks for your insight!

Jason Braun (www.occgroups.wordpress.com)
The Community Channel

[Sam O'Neal]

I'm not sure what to think about this. On the one hand, I certainly do think that individuals gathering together around a common cause or ideal has the power to change the world. And that is certainly a worthy goal for any group.

But to say that the purpose of any small group is to "rally around a cause and change the world" rings kind of hollow to me. For one thing, what defines something as "changing the world"? If my small group helps one person come to faith in Jesus Christ, have we changed the world? If we make an impact in our suburb using the gifts and resources God has given us, have we changed the world?

And here's the other thing -- I don't think Jesus' disciples signed up for his "small group" with any idea that they would be changing the world. Jesus was a Rabbi beginning his teaching ministry, and it was the practice of Rabbis in those days to gather a group of apprentices whose sole goal was to learn what the Rabbi taught, do the work the Rabbi wanted to do, and in every way become as much like the Rabbi as possible.

The disciples' expectation was to interact with Jesus and grow more like him. To me, that's the core element of a small group. And I think the natural result of such interaction and growth is that people become energized and passionate about the things that Jesus was energized and passionate about.

That, in my opinion, is what eventually changes the world.

[Wendy Griffin]

Wow! Here I sit just now taking the Leadership course to lead a small group in Irmo and I must admit; now my mind is wondering what to do with a group once the church and I start one. But you gave me some awesome ideas via scripture. I agree with you, we get caught up in the relationships of our small group and accomplish very little of what Jesus expects of us. Thanks for stirring the brain waves for me.

[Stretch Mark Mama @stretchmarkmama]

Ye-Haul. *snort*

That was great. I'm going to re-read and forward.

[Brett]

I smell a new book in the making...maybe?