Why Small Groups?
Serving in Oneness: Post-Easter Thoughts on Christian Community
Posted on April 2, 2013, 2:30 pm | 3 comments
Topics: Why Small Groups?
Just before Jesus’ death he prayed, “that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” (John 17:21)  Jesus knew that the gospel was going be spread through relationships. He also knew that it had to start with a loving community ... Read more »
Challenging the Status Quo [VIDEO]
Posted on September 12, 2011, 1:18 pm
Topics: Discipleship, Leadership Development, Why Small Groups?
Here's a church really challenging the status quo of what church is supposed to be.  Jeff Vanderstelt, pastor of the Soma Communities seeks to be a missional community.  It's a challenge for all of us.  This is the stuff we need to be talking about in our churches.  Check it out. Read more »
Six Shifts in Small Group Ministry
Posted on August 1, 2011, 12:05 am
Topics: Coordinating Small Group Ministry, Why Small Groups?
When individuals are able to make a meaningful contribution, feel a sense of belonging and connect significantly with others, the result is community. Ideally, small groups should provide a fertile environment for life change, but that’s only going to happen as the church rediscovers the centrality of community. Guest article by Bill Donahue. Read more »
My South Korean Experience and Small Groups
Posted on May 9, 2011, 4:42 pm
Topics: Coordinating Small Group Ministry, Why Small Groups?
While staying with our Korean friends in Shiwe, they told us of the powerful way their small groups work by developing deep community and becoming inviting to their non-Christian friends. And although many within their communities are against Christianity -- thinking it is a Western religion -- there is an openness... Read more »
The Shallow Small Group
Posted on February 7, 2011, 2:10 pm | 1 comment
Topics: Starting Small Group Ministry, Why Small Groups?
Have you ever been in a small group who wants to get to know you better, act all supportive and desire you to grow deeply?  How annoying. But now there's a new type of small group that doesn't get into all that... Read more »
Urgency for the Lost
Posted on January 17, 2011, 1:17 pm | 1 comment
Topics: Discipleship, Why Small Groups?
My wife came home from leading our church's youth group last night with a revelation, "There really isn't a sense of urgency among our youth and church to reach lost people."  I had to agree with her... Read more »
Let Me Introduce Myself
Posted on December 20, 2010, 2:18 pm
Topics: Why Small Groups?
Howdy from Alamosa, CO! I'm the new kid on the block here at Small Groups and I thought I'd introduce myself a bit... Read more »
So Long...Farewell...Auf Wiedershen...Good-bye
Posted on December 15, 2010, 9:23 am | 1 comment
Topics: Why Small Groups?
If we don’t make new disciples, but only design our groups to grow up those who are already disciples, we’re missing the missional challenge of our age.  Read more »
Stay Connected
Posted on December 6, 2010, 1:58 pm
Topics: Why Small Groups?
Connectedness cannot happen by merely rubbing shoulders in the coffee room or with a church handshake or a passing of the peace on Sunday morning or at some church event. And I dare say it rarely happens in a church classroom setting either... Read more »
Chicken or the Egg??
Posted on November 30, 2010, 1:22 pm | 3 comments
Topics: Discipleship, Why Small Groups?
"People resist mission because they are under-discipled, but they are also under-discipled because of the absence of any missional challenge. " The problem is, we’ve become used to seeing discipleship as a passive thing as we sit and enjoy one another as we “huddle and cuddle” together.  Read more »
Imagination Set Free
Posted on November 10, 2010, 12:58 pm
Topics: Why Small Groups?
The battle is won or lost at the level of imagination. There’s power in imagination. The Holy Spirit’s power is displayed and released at the level of imagination.  What do you imagine when you think of small groups that develop...  Read more »
Discipleship: An Active Thing
Posted on October 7, 2010, 5:55 pm | 3 comments
Topics: Discipleship, Why Small Groups?
Small groups are about forming disciples of Jesus. Maybe it’s less about what we are studying and more about following our living example.   Read more »
Unity With Purpose
Posted on September 30, 2010, 10:37 am
Topics: Why Small Groups?
He’s calling us to the same unity that he experiences with the Father and the Holy Spirit. Now that’s mind-boggling! Can we mere humans here on earth possibly be drawn into that kind of unity? Read more »
Things I Learned On Vacation
Posted on August 19, 2010, 6:49 pm
Topics: Why Small Groups?
What did I learn on vacation? If I had quit climbing that mountain, I would have missed an awe-inspiring view of God’s wonderful creation. I don’t want to quit on my spiritual formation, either. There are times when it seems really tough and too difficult to keep-on-keeping-on Read more »
Consider the B's
Posted on August 10, 2010, 2:03 pm
Topics: Small Group Leaders, Why Small Groups?
As I observe community life around me, I see that over time groups can tend to be more “exclusive” rather than “inclusive.” There seems to be a tendency to gradually build up walls around our group when deciding who fits and who doesn’t. Rather than reflecting Jesus’ inclusive love toward those around us, we find reasons to be exclusive. Read more »