Why A Small Group Forum? Options

[Glen]

Why have a Small Groups Forum when most people worship God in a "church", right? Would it surprise you to know that the vast majority of Christians in the world worship in homes, garages, woods, caves, or riverbanks? Did you know the majority of those active in a commercial "church" also take part in one or more Small Group, called by various names (Bible study, fellowship, Sunday School, etc.)? Easily, 75% of active Christians participate in small groups. The commercial "churches" encourage small group participation because they know...

all ministry is personal

Large groups can't produce the relationship and interaction required for personal ministry. At a group size of 25 or more, communication is top-down and programmed, schedules must be rigid, individual needs go unnoticed, accountability is difficult and unnatural and people feel unattached and alienated. At a group size of 5-15, communication is varied and two-way, schedules can flex, individual needs are easily addressed, accountability is natural and automatic and people feel connected and develop real relationships...not those fake, smiley, Sunday kind.

This is why we strongly encourage you to participate in a small group, whether or not you attend a "church." This is also why it's important to have a Small Group Forum to learn and grow how to do the best small group worship we can and to wean ourselves from the services of professional clergy.

I put "church" in quotes as an aside for those who believe you can't worship God without the "big box". Jesus said He would be wherever 2 or more gathered in His name. The Holy Spirit inhabits our praise, not our building. In fact, every home, every garage, every basement, every restaurant, every field or cave IS a church when they contain people worshiping Jesus.

What do you think?

[Guest_Owen_*]

funny Glen, maybe you should try de-antlering that deer, you might get something out of it then.

Oh well, the online chatting thing seemed like a good idea at the time BlessedBee. It doesn't cater to your needs, I hope you find somewhere that does. Here seems good enough for me, except I need to organise my baptism, and that can't really be done online.

The reason I like it at this congregation, is because it is not so organised, and it doesn't matter what I wear. At my parents church, they dress the young people up like they are from the 1920's to 1940's and it's more like a cult because of this, and not a real fellowship of Christians, in the world, but not of the world. They focus so much on the dress that it makes you uncomfortable, and God looks on the heart, the other stuff just makes you awkward. So, I don't go there anymore, but didn't want to leave the fellowship out of it.

I don't know very many people, but Glen has lots of experience and knows a lot, and Maddy's posts are interesting, reading the forums as new people post is good too. Even though I'm only 22, I do have some life experience in a few areas, and the Lord has seen fit that I live on to tell my story, and to help others with problems that I have had success in. Also, I can definitely pass on some advice on consequences... Things to stay away from... Paths of trouble...divorces etc... What a recipe of disaster for the family. If anyone listens, at least my having to go through such things will be worth it.

Owen