Stating a Small Group

[Kristen.NewCreation]

Has anyone started a cell group before? I've been thinking and praying for a while and feel I need the fellowship of a small group and I've been struggling to get to my church each week - one because of the distance, two because I'm just not feeling connected right now.

I'd really like to do something here at home, but I've never started a group before, only participated in them in the past.

Any thoughts or suggestions?

 

[ghs1994]

Honestly, I hear ya on that one. I'm kinda in the same boat.

I tell myself that distance shouldn't matter, but it does.

It is also in a different city that is 30 minutes away.

Generally, this is how my Sunday's go.

One Sunday, it is Jr Church at 8:30-9:30 and then 2-3 yr olds from 9:45-10:45. I don't go to second service because I'm not much for the organ. It's a bit selfish I know.

The next Sunday we have nothing other than to come to first service, which starts at 8:30am and is a more contemporary service, but not really contemporary in my mind. Then Sunday School after that from 9:45-10:45.

I am also to be there on Sunday night and Wednesday night with the teens.

Problem for us is going when we have no obligation to a church that is 30 minutes away. When we do go, I'm ashamed to say I don't have much joy in going because it feels more like work than anything else.

For a church this size, we have a lot of programs and not enough people to cover them. It gets quite exhausting.

I don't know why we think in America we need to have these big huge churches. Maybe it's because some people need to have a job as pastors or whatever. Maybe some think that the church must have all the best technology or most expensive things. I tell you, when it comes to comfort in the church, we spare no expense it seems.

I would just like to be part of a church with no more than 100 people, train those people in hopes that they could plant churches close to their homes. Why try and build a church to large volumes of people from a 25 mile radius when church plants prove much more effective.

I believe it has to do with control issues, but what do I know.

Anyway, I'm in the same boat. Sorry for all the extra there.

 

[Kristen.NewCreation]

Thank you for responding. I don't mind all the extra.


I really miss the intimacy of a small group. I really miss the ability to discuss what we are learning. Perhaps I should just decide to do it and tell some friends and then see what happens.

I too enjoy smaller churches... 80 - 150 is a comfortable range for me. My current church is over 300 which of course creates some lack of connection due to just having 2 services.

I've been praying for direction and to know what to do. I'm not getting any blocks on it, just haven't done anything about it. I've never considered myself a leader in this area - I'm more of a behind the scenes leader.

 

[ghs1994]

We have two services also and our pastor gave into the ultimate current "sin" of having a contemporary service and traditional service, which has created more problems than solutions.

There is intimacy problems at a greater number of people, mostly because they are not forced to deal with any particular individual if they don't want to. No one learns to love each other. Instead, we have the option because of our size and that is why I believe smaller churches can do more. Even if there are say 4 churches with 100 each that all are connected thru several pastors under the same "jurisdiction". Maybe the pastors meet each week to discuss what they want to preach on and to share what is going on in each of their churches to help each other grow spiritually.

 

[Johnnz]

Small groups are great. the church is to be a community, not an organisation. Relationships, discussion and prayer for each other are great benefits if small groups.

Give it a go.

John
NZ

 

[CounselorII]

Our church has 2 services on Sunday with praise and worship in between services. Sunday nights we have "care groups" that meet in homes. We have a meal, fellowship, and discussion of the previous sermon. Many times our discussions stray from the topic but almost always cater to the needs of the group.

 

[iamjcs]

-
I've never started or lead a small group before, but have been in some.

One of the small groups was part of a larger church that Sunday or Wednesday night would meet in a home.

Another was most to all of a small church that met together in the pastor's home.

A 3rd was a midsized church that met at times at the pastor's house.

The first 2 (those who met regularly) had at that time a more laidback, conmtemporary service & time of fellowship.

The 3rd was just eating, getting to know people, & in family-like setting.

-
Where I am now living I am struggling to find this or to deal without it.
Meanwhile I've noticed it is harder to get to know people in the church without this.-
-

 

[jwp]

I was actually considering taking an add out in the paper to start my own church/bible study/small group. But then I hear my wife attack my Chrisitainity and it's impossible to consider. The "prophet not being received in his own home town" has always applied to me... Of course some of it is warranted based on non-Christian events of my past. So where does that leave me?

 

[GodsGirlSajida]

Lets research more into this and share the info. If we bring our heads to together im certain we can find out how to go about things

 

[AllSeeingEye]

She reminds of the one in school when i was cut and she was dressed in white

 

[AllSeeingEye]

i couldnt take my eyes off her but guess what i took off that night

 

[Johnnz]

An important factor is who will be in the group. Great people result in great times. Get a narrow, intolerant group, or even a few like that, and small groups can become places of bigger conflicts.

John
NZ

 

[Timuchin]

To start a home church, we first have to expunge the Roman church model from the potential members. Otherwise it will devolve into just another mediocre big church.
1. The idea of professional pastors comes from the Mosaic covenant's levitical priesthood, not the New Testament
2. Leadership of the church should be by the Holy Spirit, not by the pastor or a committee of elders using Robert's Rules of Order.
3. We are all priests, not laity. Everyone has something to contribute to the christian body. No one should be despised.
4. We are to be accountable to one another.
5. We are to go from house to house with the breaking of bread and prayers daily, not to a weekly "service."

Now that you have put off the old church nature, what do we put on?
1. Encourage one another to love and good deeds. Correct one another with a spirit of gentleness. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him.
2. Pray for the gifts of the Holy Spirit, especially that you might prophesy. That is how the Holy Spirit leads us corporately and individually.
3. Share your meals together with thankfulness in your hearts. Work, play and worship together.
4. As your neighbors see your love for one another, they will be drawn with a hunger for what they see. Invite them into your midst as the Holy Spirit leads. In a little while they will want to receive Christ naturally.

I go in depth on this on my website.