It depends on the personalities and primary purpose of the group. I've seen successful dynamics in groups of 2 to 20. The look and 'feel' of each group's interpersonal communication is defined more by the people who make-up the group (along with their personalities, expectations, etc.), not so much the number of people in it. Every group is unique. One size—be it large or small—may work ...
Ask these questions about your group to determine if it may be time to split-up, bring in new people, or focus on a new purpose.
Keith Wright
Great things happen in small groups! Danger arises when you enjoy what's happening so much that you become a "holy huddle".
Ask these questions about your group to determine if it may be time to split-up, bring in new people, or focus on a new purpose.
1. Has your group become a clique? Signs of a clique include inside jokes, no newcomers in years, and less involvement with other's in your church fellowship. ...
Birthing a new small group can be exciting; it can also be painful.
Murphy Belding
Birthing—that is, multiplying—a new small group can be one of the most exciting events in the Christian life. It can be a painful experience too. Leaving our Christian friends who have shared our lives is tough. The process is much easier if we focus on others instead of ourselves. Here are some thoughts to keep in mind as you birth your next small group.
"Charles" is the pastor of a growing, mainline church near my home. I met with him this week to talk about his home fellowship groups. The goal of this church's small groups is to be evangelistic and multiply. The problem is, more than six years after the launch of the small group program, the groups have achieved neither. My job, if I choose to accept it, is to find out why, to offer some insights, ...
Darryl's group is too large, but he doesn't have an apprentice; what should he do?
The Small Group Network Community
Darryl's group has grown large, to the point where most group functions are awkward (it's hard to find a host home, only a few participate in group discussion, prayer times are very superficial, etc.). Unfortunately, Darryl has not cast the vision for group multiplication and he does not have an apprentice leader. Darryl senses the urgency to do something, but what?
When a group grows too large for all of the members to talk, what should the leader do?
Pat J. Sikora
Darryl's group has grown over the last several months and the problem now is that some people, especially the quiet ones, rarely get a chance to talk. Darryl is feeling overwhelmed trying to lead these people.
What should Darryl do?
Once again, Darryl is in hot water for something that would have been more easily dealt with in the beginning of the group. His problem isn't one of drawing out the quiet ...
Downsizing can be a scary word—but it's sometimes good to break large groups into smaller groups.
Esther M. Bailey
Downsizing is a scary word when it means losing jobs. It's scary in the church, too, if it means losing members. On the other hand, it's a good thing to break large groups into smaller groups. People are more likely to freely express themselves to a few people than to a large number of people.
The magic number for most effective small groups seems to be twelve. Perhaps that is why Jesus chose twelve ...
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