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?

[BlessedBee]

I agree with your post, Glen

God must have led me here because I was getting pretty discouraged with the other sites/forums, and you have made this forum very comfortable. I can feel the sincerity and spirituality coming from the different forums/posts I've read.

I know what you mean about belonging to a church. I was born and raised Catholic; that pretty much took care of being comfortable about confessing anything in church . The last actual church we went to was a very nice Baptist church, people were friendly enough, pastor was knowledgeable and bible-oriented, but you are right, very regimented. And, forget trying to get involved in anything; I attempted to get involved with a couple of church groups; you would have thought I had the plague. Apparently, they were satisfied with the regular, long-standing members they had in their groups and didn't need any newcomer's influence.

My longing for human contact stems from being couped up for weeks, sometimes months at a time without seeing anyone except for my husband. My husband's employer has been gracious enough to allow him to work from home part of the day, but he's still working. I do have my dogs, but their conversation skills need some improving...lol

I appreciate your being a friend.

(((((HUGS!)))))