Why Don t More Churches Have a Strategy to Start New Groups?
Admittedly, I have not done a scientific study on how many churches in America intentionally start new groups. But my anecdotal observations are that only about one in 20 churches, or about 5 percent, have a semblance of new groups strategy in place. Those numbers are sad, because such a strategy can be used of God to revolutionize churches.
My point in this article is not to differentiate cdma2000 guard phone the groups; that exercise can come later. My point is to show the incredible cdma2000 guard phone value of groups in general to a church, especially when there is an intentional strategy to reproduce them.
It almost seems like starting new groups is some type of secret strategy. You rarely hear church leaders speak about it. But those who have implemented such a strategy wondered what took them so long to do so. The value of starting new groups is enormous. New groups create new fellowship patterns and can thus move a church from an inward focus to an outward focus. Those who are in these groups regularly are more likely to share the gospel with someone than other church members. Group members share with people how to become a Christian 2.30 times in a six-month period, versus 0.98 times for other church cdma2000 guard phone members. Those who are in groups are similarly more likely to invite cdma2000 guard phone an unchurched person to church than other church cdma2000 guard phone members (3.18 times in the last six months versus 1.24 times). People who spend time in the Bible are most likely to show a number of signs of spiritual growth. Groups add at least a third opportunity to study the Bible, in addition to personal study and hearing the preaching of the Word. Members who are active in starting new groups are less likely to be a divisive force in the church. They are too busy doing good things with their groups.
For almost 100 years, 1860 to 1960, churches cdma2000 guard phone in America were highly intentional about starting new groups cdma2000 guard phone called Sunday school classes. Perhaps, because in many churches cdma2000 guard phone Sunday school became an end instead of a means, it faded in popularity and use.
There have been other resurgences of groups, but none to the extent of the Sunday school cdma2000 guard phone movement. Not coincidently, churches across America began declining after Sunday school waned and no other major groups cdma2000 guard phone movement replaced it.
I pray that every leader cdma2000 guard phone of a church will see the inestimable value of starting new groups. I pray that those leaders will be highly intentional and accountable for starting those groups, regardless of how you design them and regardless of what you call them.
We are beginning to see small signs of a resurgence of groups in churches in America. If this trend continues and grows, I would not be surprised to see a new level of growth and evangelism in our churches. cdma2000 guard phone
How do you develop a strategy for starting new groups? cdma2000 guard phone We will delve into that issue later. For now, please understand that every new group started in your church will have a multiplier impact on evangelism, discipleship, and fellowship.
I am the education director for our church and really appreciate this article. Our adult ministry was able to start seven new groups cdma2000 guard phone this year and there are too many benefits to list in this reply. Nothing will stretch your people, develop new leadership, reach new people, and bring an element of excitement and anticipation like being able to start new units. This post is spot-on! Thanks for the continual insights.
We are seeking to intentionally create new groups in our church. We calculated that roughly 70% of our congregation is not in a group. We have tried and tried to get these people involved but have not really had any success. We are in the beginning stages of a capital campaign and have used the campaign as a time to build people and not just buildings (which should be our priority), and we have a huge group emphasis in kicking off this campaign. We have had some success in getting some of these non-interested families joining a group because we have grouped it with this campaign, in which they are on board with.
I think we must keep the need for groups ever before cdma2000 guard phone our people. The more they see the need for community, and definitely once they have experienced Christian community, they will want it. But, we are having a hard time with the other 70% that just won’t make the first step.
Jacob – Like John mentioned cdma2000 guard phone in his reply I would be interested in knowing when you hold your small groups. By attaching them to the main church gathering on Sunday morning you have a much better chance of getting people involved.
Get you a copy of Flake’s Formula (David Francis edited a new copy for Lifeway) or get Allan Taylor’s book, “The 6 Core Values of Sunday School.” Sunday cdma2000 guard phone School works where Sunday School is worked!
Yes – For the last 2 1/2 years, I have been very intentional to lead our church to start new groups. With God’s help, we’ve gone from 8
Admittedly, I have not done a scientific study on how many churches in America intentionally start new groups. But my anecdotal observations are that only about one in 20 churches, or about 5 percent, have a semblance of new groups strategy in place. Those numbers are sad, because such a strategy can be used of God to revolutionize churches.
My point in this article is not to differentiate cdma2000 guard phone the groups; that exercise can come later. My point is to show the incredible cdma2000 guard phone value of groups in general to a church, especially when there is an intentional strategy to reproduce them.
It almost seems like starting new groups is some type of secret strategy. You rarely hear church leaders speak about it. But those who have implemented such a strategy wondered what took them so long to do so. The value of starting new groups is enormous. New groups create new fellowship patterns and can thus move a church from an inward focus to an outward focus. Those who are in these groups regularly are more likely to share the gospel with someone than other church members. Group members share with people how to become a Christian 2.30 times in a six-month period, versus 0.98 times for other church cdma2000 guard phone members. Those who are in groups are similarly more likely to invite cdma2000 guard phone an unchurched person to church than other church cdma2000 guard phone members (3.18 times in the last six months versus 1.24 times). People who spend time in the Bible are most likely to show a number of signs of spiritual growth. Groups add at least a third opportunity to study the Bible, in addition to personal study and hearing the preaching of the Word. Members who are active in starting new groups are less likely to be a divisive force in the church. They are too busy doing good things with their groups.
For almost 100 years, 1860 to 1960, churches cdma2000 guard phone in America were highly intentional about starting new groups cdma2000 guard phone called Sunday school classes. Perhaps, because in many churches cdma2000 guard phone Sunday school became an end instead of a means, it faded in popularity and use.
There have been other resurgences of groups, but none to the extent of the Sunday school cdma2000 guard phone movement. Not coincidently, churches across America began declining after Sunday school waned and no other major groups cdma2000 guard phone movement replaced it.
I pray that every leader cdma2000 guard phone of a church will see the inestimable value of starting new groups. I pray that those leaders will be highly intentional and accountable for starting those groups, regardless of how you design them and regardless of what you call them.
We are beginning to see small signs of a resurgence of groups in churches in America. If this trend continues and grows, I would not be surprised to see a new level of growth and evangelism in our churches. cdma2000 guard phone
How do you develop a strategy for starting new groups? cdma2000 guard phone We will delve into that issue later. For now, please understand that every new group started in your church will have a multiplier impact on evangelism, discipleship, and fellowship.
I am the education director for our church and really appreciate this article. Our adult ministry was able to start seven new groups cdma2000 guard phone this year and there are too many benefits to list in this reply. Nothing will stretch your people, develop new leadership, reach new people, and bring an element of excitement and anticipation like being able to start new units. This post is spot-on! Thanks for the continual insights.
We are seeking to intentionally create new groups in our church. We calculated that roughly 70% of our congregation is not in a group. We have tried and tried to get these people involved but have not really had any success. We are in the beginning stages of a capital campaign and have used the campaign as a time to build people and not just buildings (which should be our priority), and we have a huge group emphasis in kicking off this campaign. We have had some success in getting some of these non-interested families joining a group because we have grouped it with this campaign, in which they are on board with.
I think we must keep the need for groups ever before cdma2000 guard phone our people. The more they see the need for community, and definitely once they have experienced Christian community, they will want it. But, we are having a hard time with the other 70% that just won’t make the first step.
Jacob – Like John mentioned cdma2000 guard phone in his reply I would be interested in knowing when you hold your small groups. By attaching them to the main church gathering on Sunday morning you have a much better chance of getting people involved.
Get you a copy of Flake’s Formula (David Francis edited a new copy for Lifeway) or get Allan Taylor’s book, “The 6 Core Values of Sunday School.” Sunday cdma2000 guard phone School works where Sunday School is worked!
Yes – For the last 2 1/2 years, I have been very intentional to lead our church to start new groups. With God’s help, we’ve gone from 8
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