Why do we meet in small groups at LifeNet?

At LifeNet we made the decision a few years ago to move to the small group model after years of experimentation. We still meet once a month as a network when all our groups come together. Why did we do this? There are a number of reasons. I have listed a few below.

1. Small groups provide an ideal environment for personal interaction. We have found that groups from 8 to about 15 people encourage all participants to take part in the meeting. We realize that not everyone wants to be a “player.” That is why so many churches are filled with people looking at the back of the head of the persons seated in front of them, passively listening to a message. But if you do like to engage at some level, small groups are the place for you.
2. Small groups are the best place to learn and grow. Over the years many have told me that they like the small group dynamic because they can ask questions. Instead of wondering what the speaker meant, we can ask on the spot. From a Bible teachers point of view, small groups allow me to find out what people really think and know. During discussion I find out what people actually know and believe. It is easy to assume people get what we intend for them to learn, but many (most) times, they do not. We see areas of misunderstanding or ignorance that should be addressed. This is good. On the other hand, my own understanding has grown on countless times as I listen to the insights of others.
3. Small groups are a wonderful place to develop our gifts . In the group I lead, I have been teaching some young boys to play guitar. Their dad can play about three instruments and actually does the hard lifting. These young men often bring their guitars, ukuleles, and mandolins to our meetings where we encourage them to participate. In a large church, usually only the most competent and experienced musicians and singers are put on the stage. Small groups offer opportunities to more average people to lead, teach, do music, and minister in many other ways. They are greenhouses for developing latent talent and abilities.
4. Small groups teach people to take on responsibility. Whereas those attending larger churches generally just have to show up, small group meetings require someone to host, to prepare food, and to cleanup before and afterward. You might think this is a negative, but actually its a positive. Jesus taught that disciples serve and deny themselves. If we cannot serve in simple ways, we should not think of ourselves as true followers of Christ. Jesus came to develop disciples, not pander to consumers.
5. Small groups are a message against our consumerist culture . Our culture teaches people to be consumers of church products. We think in terms of where can I hear the best sermon, enjoy the best worship, experience the best programs, and provide my children with the best kid’s church. As a result, many modern churchgoers have not yet learned to be disciples. They are simply in it for what they can get out of it. Small groups do not offer a lot of bells and whistles. You will not hear a star quality speaker. The worship is simple and “unplugged.” The venue will not be the reason you attend, and the children will receive only what we give them. There will not be a professional youth pastor on board. I often ask people, what could be stripped from your church experience without your leaving? Small groups are simple church, just like the first church.
6. Small groups are mobile, flexible, and easily reproducible. When we owned our own church building, it required a lot of our time, energy, and finances to keep it going. It also anchored us down to a certain location. Now that we small group based, we can meet nearly anywhere. Our groups meet in homes, restaurants, and parks. We can even meet with other churches or in whatever venue we choose. This is liberating, giving us more time for people ministry and relating to people outside the church in our neighborhoods. One of our goals is to be an expression of God’s kingdom in the neighborhoods where we live. When one of our groups becomes too large, it is simple to divide into two groups and keep going, giving even more people an opportunity to develop in leadership and ministry.
7. Small groups provide an integrated context for children. It is common practice today to separate children from adults. We do the opposite. The kids join us for our common meals, for worship, and many times for the message and discussion. Most of the time our group has a children’s mini-sermon from the Action Bible first, after which they can play and listen to what we adults are doing. Other times an adult will take them to play out of earshot of the adults. We want the kids to understand that following Christ is for kids, too, and they are integral to church life. Hopefully that will keep them plugged into the church when they hit the college years.
8. Small groups may be the only way to meet some day . In areas of the world where the church is persecuted, small groups allow the church to multiply “under the radar.” Is persecution in America’s future? Many think so. If so, perhaps we are pioneering a way to survive and thrive under adverse conditions.
9. Small groups are biblical. The early church in the Book of Acts met in small groups. The church was organic, decentralized, mobile, and full of life. That is what we are pursuing. We believe we are getting back to the church’s roots.
10. Small groups help people realize that the church is not a building. Regardless of what people say to the contrary, most Christians identify their church’s building as “the church.” As a result, their members tend to think that Christian activities only happen while in the building “at church.” Meeting in small groups helps people understand that the church is people, and ministry happens wherever the church may be. In other words, “the medium is the message.”