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?

[robk]

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?

Right on again Glen,
I am attending a church ( a rather large one). Sometimes I do feel like a very small fish in a big pond., but I have met some great people. Before church, all my friends might have said they were Christian but their lives sure did not reflect it. I think church is what you make of it. I joined a small group and there is where most of my spiritual gains were attained. It took a while to trust each other but when we did WOW. Lots of growth, Lots of testimony and Praise Jesus Lots of redemption. I know my group (Deep Water Warriors) is on the right track and I am looking forward to Gods mercy and grace that will be as promised bestowed on its members for obeying the Spirit that lives within us.
(Deep Water Warriors) we named the group on retreat. We figured it was time to get out of the kiddie pool...
God Bless