Small groups?

[Byfaithalone1]

My wife and I are considering starting a small group in our home.

Do any of you have a perspective on "small groups," "home churches" and/or "accountability groups?"

Have you seen such groups used successfully? If so, what factors led to the group's success?

Have you seen such groups end badly? If so, what contributed to the problems within the group?

Overall, how do you view such groups?

BFA

 

[Sophia7]

My wife and I are considering starting a small group in our home.

Do any of you have a perspective on "small groups," "home churches" and/or "accountability groups?"

Have you seen such groups used successfully? If so, what factors led to the group's success?

Have you seen such groups end badly? If so, what contributed to the problems within the group?

Overall, how do you view such groups?

BFA

My hubby and I got to know each other in a small group, so my initial experience with them was positive. While he was a pastor, our churches had small groups. I think they are good for giving people more opportunities to pray and fellowship together than they would get just by going to church. Also, they can be good for people who feel more comfortable going to someone's home than to church or for people who don't have a church home.

I'm currently a part of a women's Bible-study group, and my hubby and I are hoping to find or start another small group together soon. Our current church hasn't done that sort of thing much yet--they have more traditional Sunday- and Wednesday-night programs at the church--but they are open to the idea of starting some small groups.

 

[Byfaithalone1]

My hubby and I got to know each other in a small group, so my initial experience with them was positive. While he was a pastor, our churches had small groups. I think they are good for giving people more opportunities to pray and fellowship together than they would get just by going to church. Also, they can be good for people who feel more comfortable going to someone's home than to church or for people who don't have a church home.

I'm currently a part of a women's Bible-study group, and my hubby and I are hoping to find or start another small group together soon. Our current church hasn't done that sort of thing much yet--they have more traditional Sunday- and Wednesday-night programs at the church--but they are open to the idea of starting some small groups.

Thanks for the perspective, Sophia!

BFA

 

[Sophia7]

You're welcome.

 

[Adventtruth]

When I left Adventism, I joined a huge church while still living in North Carolina. The Church did't have a Sunday school class. I was very disappointed coming from Adventism where I was very instrumental in Sabbath school. But what I found out was the church had over 300 + small groups to which I could join. The members simply went to the small group of their choice before or after church Sunday morning.

The groups where very successful. Mainly because the participants in the groups had a common interest other than Christ. They had biker groups for Christ, Sports Freaks for Christ, audio hobbyist for Chirst, Cowboys for Christ, they had recovering addicts for Christ, and so on. You just simply joined a group that interested you and meet with that group before or after church service. I never saw a down side to the groups at all, infact once in the group you became like family.

Now that I have moved to St. Louis, I am still getting a feel for what may be our new church home. They too have many small groups but I have yet to join one. I've been in St. Louis about a year, and after many weeks of trying to find the right fit in a church, I'm trying to get plugged in and connected to this church, but its not easy. I still find the model that we had as Adventist the best way to worship for me, and would gladly run back if it where not for the doctrines that I believe are essential to the Christian faith, that I feel are compromised in the Adventist fellowship.

AT

 

[Byfaithalone1]

When I left Adventism, I joined a huge church while still living in North Carolina. The Church did't have a Sunday school class. I was very disappointed coming from Adventism where I was very instrumental in Sabbath school. But what I found out was the church had over 300 + small groups to which I could join. The members simply went to the small group of their choice before or after church Sunday morning.

The groups where very successful. Mainly because the participants in the groups had a common interest other than Christ. They had biker groups for Christ, Sports Freaks for Christ, audio hobbyist for Chirst, Cowboys for Christ, they had recovering addicts for Christ, and so on. You just simply joined a group that interested you and meet with that group before or after church service. I never saw a down side to the groups at all, infact once in the group you became like family.

Now that I have moved to St. Louis, I am still getting a feel for what may be our new church home. They too have many small groups but I have yet to join one. I've been in St. Louis about a year, and after many weeks of trying to find the right fit in a church, I'm trying to get plugged in and connected to this church, but its not easy. I still find the model that we had as Adventist the best way to worship for me, and would gladly run back if it where not for the doctrines that I believe are essential to the Christian faith, that I feel are compromised in the Adventist fellowship.

AT

Thanks for the thoughts, AT.

Our church has similar programs. My wife and I have for several years been a part of a fellowship for parents with small children, and it has been great! However, the group is rather big (30+ in attendance on average). So, for that reason, we are forming a small group (i.e. 3 couples) in addition to the Sunday morning fellowship. We'll see how it goes . . .

BFA

 

[Avonia]

Do any of you have a perspective on "small groups," "home churches" and/or "accountability groups?"

I've had a small circle meet at my house on Friday night (off and on) for about five years. It's been a very positive experience.

We've pursed many avenues of inquiry, experiences, and practices.

This has been high-value for me and others in the circle.

 

[Sophia7]

When I left Adventism, I joined a huge church while still living in North Carolina. The Church did't have a Sunday school class. I was very disappointed coming from Adventism where I was very instrumental in Sabbath school. But what I found out was the church had over 300 + small groups to which I could join. The members simply went to the small group of their choice before or after church Sunday morning.

The groups where very successful. Mainly because the participants in the groups had a common interest other than Christ. They had biker groups for Christ, Sports Freaks for Christ, audio hobbyist for Chirst, Cowboys for Christ, they had recovering addicts for Christ, and so on. You just simply joined a group that interested you and meet with that group before or after church service. I never saw a down side to the groups at all, infact once in the group you became like family.

Now that I have moved to St. Louis, I am still getting a feel for what may be our new church home. They too have many small groups but I have yet to join one. I've been in St. Louis about a year, and after many weeks of trying to find the right fit in a church, I'm trying to get plugged in and connected to this church, but its not easy. I still find the model that we had as Adventist the best way to worship for me, and would gladly run back if it where not for the doctrines that I believe are essential to the Christian faith, that I feel are compromised in the Adventist fellowship.

AT

I miss a lot of things about the Adventist Church, too, especially the sense of belonging that I had there. I haven't yet found quite the same thing anywhere else. But I can't go back either because I no longer feel that I belong in the Adventist Church due to my doctrinal disagreements.

 

[VictorC]

I miss a lot of things about the Adventist Church, too, especially the sense of belonging that I had there. I haven't yet found quite the same thing anywhere else. But I can't go back either because I no longer feel that I belong in the Adventist Church due to my doctrinal disagreements.

Father has this habit of taking us out of where we were comfortable.

11 My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD,
Nor detest His correction;
12 For whom the LORD loves He corrects,
Just as a father the son in whom he delights.

 

[AzA]

My wife and I are considering starting a small group in our home.

Sweet! Wishing you many blessings and fun experiences with this.

I've not had any bad experiences within small groups. I have had one experience where non-members became jealous of the group and tried to destroy it. Which was both tied up with other issues at that congregation and a rough time on all sides.

I think it's good for people to associate.
Even better when they do so in a healthy way, not creating dependencies, not tryna control where people go and what they think...that sort of thing.

Accountability groups, as configured in some churches -- I don't know I connect with that, but am sure they can be appropriate for some people in some situations. If I had an addiction of some sort, I'd probably rely on my friends, psychologists, and independent 12-step groups. But that's just me. And I can see why others might choose a church group instead.

Groups can have a wobbly start if the core attending group doesn't attend in a consistent way! That's just about building the foundation for the new space. If they want it, they'll have to help build it, and that'll take some personal investment.

A successful group from my perspective gives participants a safe zone, opportunities to learn, and challenges them to practice something (a skill, a belief, a relational tool). It also grows over time because people tell their friends. And when it gets unwieldy it divides without rancor.

That's a successful group.

 

[Avonia]

A successful group from my perspective gives participants a safe zone, opportunities to learn, and challenges them to practice something (a skill, a belief, a relational tool).

Our circle was designed so people could find meaning in different ways. Exploring concepts. Questions. Participating in something experiential. Preparing good food together. Chitchat/socialization. We had many elements every time we gathered.

We also didn't have a leader. Everyone contributed in different ways different times we met.

 

[Sophia7]

Accountability groups, as configured in some churches -- I don't know I connect with that, but am sure they can be appropriate for some people in some situations. If I had an addiction of some sort, I'd probably rely on my friends, psychologists, and independent 12-step groups. But that's just me. And I can see why others might choose a church group instead.

We started a Celebrate Recovery group at one of our churches when hubby was a pastor, and it helped a lot of people. It may not be the best option for everyone, but it worked well in that church and in that town.

 

[AzA]

We started a Celebrate Recovery group at one of our churches when hubby was a pastor, and it helped a lot of people.

Can you say any more? Like, was it like a mixed-addiction/recovery group? Or more specialized? Was it more peer support than treatment centered?

 

[Sophia7]

Can you say any more? Like, was it like a mixed-addiction/recovery group? Or more specialized? Was it more peer support than treatment centered?

It was meant to help people with all kinds of addictions, but I think that most of the people who came were struggling with alcohol and drugs. I don't know that much about addiction treatment and recovery personally, so I can't answer a lot of questions about the specifics. The guy that led the group was recovering from several addictions and was also leading a Narcotics Anonymous group in town. He started the CR group for those who preferred a more specifically Christian and biblical focus.

 

[AzA]

It was meant to help people with all kinds of addictions, but I think that most of the people who came were struggling with alcohol and drugs. I don't know that much about addiction treatment and recovery personally, so I can't answer a lot of questions about the specifics. The guy that led the group was recovering from several addictions and was also leading a Narcotics Anonymous group in town. He started the CR group for those who preferred a more specifically Christian and biblical focus.

Thanks, Sophia! I appreciate the extra info.

BFA -- I'd love to hear how your group is coming along. Would you be willing to update us every so often? (And if no one else is interested, I'll take an PM update instead! ) Blessings.

 

[Byfaithalone1]

Thanks, Sophia! I appreciate the extra info.

BFA -- I'd love to hear how your group is coming along. Would you be willing to update us every so often? (And if no one else is interested, I'll take an PM update instead! ) Blessings.

Sure! We haven't started yet and are only in the planning phase. I'll let you know when the ball gets rolling.

BFA

 

[AzA]

Thanks, bro.