Lets Get Together... and Leave God Out of It

    Small group ministry has thrived in recent years as one of the most effective ways for believers to grow spiritually. This ministry is known by different names. Connections, Life Groups, Cell Groups, etc. Churches all across America have put a new emphasis on Christians coming together outside the church walls to pray, read scripture, discuss spiritual life, and fellowship.

    Without a doubt, small group ministry is one of the most effective ways to grow a church. When churches invite people to the small group first, then to the service later, there is no limit to growth. Lets say for example, that a certain church has 10 small groups, and each small group grows by one new member per month The church grows by 10 people per month. Once small groups start growing and splitting, growth becomes even more exponential.

    The problem is, like so many other things in the church world, small group ministry has become programmed and institutionalized instead of alive and dynamic as everything in the church should be. There is a certain understood model and format that small groups are supposed to follow. It typically should have more than five, but no more than fifteen people. It is mostly for believers. If you are not a Christian or if you are a "seeker", there is a separate small group for you.... What is this, school? Typically these small groups take place in a couples home or church classroom. There is a DVD series or curriculum to follow, typically the latest Francis Chan book tailored to a small group study guide. Oh, and we can't forget about the potluck food. That is the small group model and format. The unwritten rule is not to color outside of the lines and be creative.

    Having this "programmed" mentality sucks the life out of small group ministry and completely misses the point. Lets change small group ministry and get back to its original intention. Here is my suggestion if you are considering starting a small group. Get with a few Christians and go to Starbucks, Cold Stone, Buffalo Wild Wings, the Movies, Six Flags, a concert, bowling, camping, hiking, fishing, the gym, yoga, zumba, whatever. You could simply get together at your house and grill out. Will you pray, read the Bible, or talk about God during your time together?
...maybe, maybe not.

    Either way, who cares? If you get together and like the book of Esther, God is not mentioned even once, it is just as much fellowship and spiritual development as meeting in a class room watching session 4 of Crazy Love by Francis Chan. Here's why. To whole point of small groups is Discipleship. Discipleship does not happen in teaching, training, studying, or even praying. Discipleship happens in relationships. In fact Discipleship is all about building relationships, and growing together. So when you get together, focus on building healthy meaningful relationships with other believers, and the rest will fall into place. When you get together, don't be afraid to leave God out of it.