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?

[cottrel2]

Hey Glenn and All,
I'm just a newbie here. I not longer feel comfortable in a church setting. The church my wife and I attend is really a good church: small but hard working and out-reach oriented. It's a 35-40 minute commute, though. I've been in larger churches in the past but now eye them with a lack of trust (maybe a topic for another day/forum). We seem to have a hard time holding onto good christian friends. Our last friends moved to California. Even in churches where I've actively participated in home groups we seem to always drift apart. I've coined a phrase called "churchy friends". Not really a good phrase, either. I guess what I am hoping for and desiring is to get involved in a home group or home-based church. Maybe even lead one sometime. Please pray that I might make the right connections.