Frank's Blog

The video below really shows how a group of friends can have an impact on their community in a practical way.  Try to think of a way that your small group can have an impact on your neighborhood!

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My friend Janine and I were recently talking about the topic of community in a healthy church.  There is something about a healthy and growing community of faith that encourages deep relationships.  It doesn't matter if you are a new attendee or a long standing member, relationships begin to develop. 

She introduced me to a quote from Thomas Kelly in his book A Testament of Devotion:

When we are drowned in the overwhelming seas of the love of God, we find ourselves in a new and particular relation to a few of our fellows. The relationship is so surprising and rich that we despair of finding a word glorious enough and weighty enough to name it. The word Fellowship is discovered, but the word is pale in comparison with the rich volume and luminous bulk and warmth of the experience which it would designate. For a new kind of life-sharing and love has arisen of which we had only dim hints before. Are these the bonds of love which knit together the early Christians, the very warp and woof of the Kingdom of God? In glad amazement and wonder we enter upon a relationship which we had not known the world could contain for the sons of men. Why should such bounty be given to unworthy men like ourselves?

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Does your small group ministry take advantage of all that the web has to offer? Are you utilizing all of the functionality of Web 2.0? In order for us to dig deeper into how the web can enhance your small group ministry experience we first should define what Web 2.0 is.  Here is how Wikipedia defines it:

Web 2.0 is a term describing a trend in the use of World Wide Web technology and web design that aims to enhance creativity, information sharing, and, most notably, collaboration among users. These concepts have led to the development and evolution of web-based communities and hosted services, such as social-networking sites, wikis, blogs, and folksonomies.

Does all of this 2.0 stuff really enhance group ministry? ABSOLUTELY, because it is all designed to encourage relationships, networking, and social interactions in an online setting! Plus, the best part about it is that it is ALL FREE. Your ministry can take advantage of all these tools at no additional cost.

Over the next few posts I will be going over how we use these technologies in our church and specifically our small group ministry context. Then I will post a list of online resources so you can get started with your small group or your ministry.

The type of small group that blogging, in particular, is great for is our social groups. Blogging about upcoming schedules, events, locations, pictures from previous events, all can really enhance the experience for members of a social small group in your church. Plus, like I said earlier... it's all free, and free is good. Here is an example of a social group at our church that utilizes a blog to help stay connected. The group is called our "Small Wonders Play Group." Click here to view their page.

As you can see the front page is static (it doesn't change) and you can tell because it is dated 2007 when they started using it. But notice that it is password protected. Once a new mom joins the group she receives a password and can view the current schedule and other content to keep up on the group's activities. Using simple social networking tools like these will provide our groups with an easy way to stay organized and enhance a small group experience. Especially for younger generations that expect technology to be more integrated into everyday life.

Feel free to post questions in the comments section and I can answer them in future posts.

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How do you encourage group members to invite others to your group?  Carter Moss, from Big Ideas About Small Groups, recommends the following:

When an established group has been together for a long time this can be challenging.  I will often encourage group leaders by challenging their groups with two questions:

1. How do you feel about this small group?
2. Knowing how important this group has been for you, dont you want to help someone else have the same experience God has provided you through these relationships? How do you encourage an invitational culture in your group?

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At my church we call our most popular small groups Home Teams. However, we will often find ourselves in social situations with people without a church experience that say... what? "Your what team?" We go on to attempt describing to them that there are some friends we have that get together at our house each week to have fun and discuss life, God, and the Bible.  Kathy Guy, who handles groups at Granger, recently  posted on the topic:

Before our friends came to church, they heard us talk of other friends we had made "in our small group." It drew the question, "Is that the thing you guys used to have at your house on Sunday nights?" They asked that question a couple years ago, and it still comes up occasionally even though they've attended GCC for a while now. I can't shake the simplicity of the question.

Small groups, home groups, connect groups, life groups: all church language! All of it! When I google these, nearly every one links to a church or a ministry support organization. I found a few exceptions - very few. The name of Benny Goodman's band at some point was "The Small Groups"? Health insurance language includes "small group" plans. Other than a few other random mentions, it's all church stuff!

The most frequently asked question from other churches: How do you get people to want to join a small group? Everyone is trying to figure it out. Talk in a language they speak, make it normal, and tell them the purpose of the group - a purpose they value.

I think Kathy raises a great question.  How do you help people that start visiting your church (that have little or no church experience) feel comfortable enough to join a small group? 

I think one of the best ways I seem new people connect in groups is through a relationship and a personal invitation.  In that order of sequence. An individual already attending a group regularly will build a friendship with the new visitor and after a few weeks or months invite them to something that their small group is doing.  Sometimes the invitation is based up a need or crisis, other times the invitation is based upon common interest or an activity. 

How do you see new people connect in groups?

Click here to read more of Kathy's post...

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