Sam Huizenga

Hi Craig,

Great question! From my experience there are many different answers!

I have been writing some blogs about how leading a small group discipleship ministry is like gardening. I think it also applies to multiplication. Think about how plants multiply. There is not a one-size-fits all approach. I have some hostas in my flower beds. I can rip those apart just about any time during the growing season and they survive. Other plants start with seed, cuttings or bulbs. Some plants you have to cut back. Other plants need great care and encouragement to multiply.

All of these ideas translate to small groups. Some groups are hardy, easy to split. They understand the vision, have leadership skills, etc - like hostas. Others need great encouragement. Some groups send off one or two member to start a group - like a cutting. Some groups of new people start with a seed vision and launch a new group.

I have also learned that multiplication requires leadership (or gardeners). It is not going to happen without someone praying, casting vision, encouraging and equipping leadership.

What do you think?

Howdy Allen. I think many small group ministries of the past had an identity crisis. They tried to do it all. I am hearing about more churches designing small groups for discipleship and mission! God is at work through small groups in the CRC!

What small group plans have you implemented?

Sam Huizenga
Home Missions Small Group Ministry Developer

Hi Allen,

What are your thoughts about launching missional communities in a rural setting? Any ideas?

I attended the 3DM Discipleship and Mission conference in Holland this week. I learned (again) contextualizing is very important. The session leaders make it seem like there is a one size fits all strategy, but as I talked with them I learned they all are adapting the concepts to fit their unique situation. I asked one leader if they only have missional communities.  He said they tried that and learned quickly they needed other types of groups. They have missional communities AND alpha, parenting groups, etc. Good to know

It was interesting to talk to different people at the conference. People are applying the missional community strategy in a variety of ways. One leader told me they learned that they needed to start with vision. They wanted to launch 25 MC's. It didn't work. they regrouped and discovered 12 leaders with a very specific mission focus - local elementary school, a neighborhood, or a topic like homeless people, etc.. People gathered around the vision into 12 MC's of varying size. Some MC's have two or three groups (about 30 - 40 people) others have 8 - 12.

Interesting question. I also pondered that question. I would love to hear what you think!  

Thanks for you comments!

Nate - thanks for your blog and being willing to field questions.

Fernando,

Sounds like a great plan for your discipleship garden. I noticed that you started with the blessing of your council and that your leaders participated in the first group. I'm wondering if this is a key principle to the success of any discipleship strategy that a church develops. When the elders, deacons and key leaders own the strategy it will more likely take root! Next week's guest blog from Dave Huizenga will have more about this idea.

Thanks for your input in the conversation! 

Thanks Allen! Great stuff.