In this Ask the Experts interview, Bill interviews Eddie Mosley, the Adult Groups Minister at Brentwood Baptist Church in Brentwood, TN.
Eddie, you’ve been the small group champion at a large publisher and served for many years in the field of groups and education in leading churches. However, you haven’t always served churches where groups were the main thing. What do you like about churches where small groups are just one of the various ministries they offer?
Bill, thank you for this opportunity to share from my experiences. I am grateful for those who walked before me in these areas and shared their experiences in hopes of teaching others and me in my position.
If you are referring to small groups and Sunday school, I think the variety can reach more people. While the experience can be vastly different in regards to style (lecture/discussion, size, location, etc.), people have different past experiences from which they view the church and Bible study. Options sometimes are more valuable in helping people connect to Bible study in a way that is comfortable for them.
The bigger issue is when these two ministries, or any ministries for that matter, compete or seem to compete for people. Our job as groups pastors is to be sure both styles of Bible study accomplish the purpose for which they exist. For us, spiritual growth (not just Bible knowledge), care (for each other and their community), and equipping (for serving in the group and in our individual next ministry calling) can all be accomplished whether you meet on campus or in a home, via a lecture, or discussion style. Training and development of the leader is key to accomplishing these purposes, not the systematic program.
What are the strengths of such a church? ...
