Lessons From the EastSample

Redefining Small Groups

Western churches often have a few small groups, but these churches seldom are rooted and grounded in the strong connections of kingdom-driven cells. In cells, everyone loves, uses gifts to build others up, and serves together as they study the Bible and pray. Everyone is part of the life of the body; everyone is fully engaged in the spiritual community. All five roles—apostles, prophets, teachers, pastors, and evangelists—are expressed in the group. Needs are known and joys are shared, so prayer is heartfelt. In stark contrast, in many congregations in the West, people sit side by side but may not even know the people around them. They watch as a few use their gifts, and they seldom serve, if at all. It’s very easy to come and go each week like we’re going to a movie.

In many churches in the West, socialization is the primary characteristic of small groups. Pastors sometimes say, “We’re not a church with small groups; we’re a church of small groups.” But many of these groups are little more than gatherings of friends, with little if any vision for making a difference in the community. In some churches, programs are offered for target groups such as men, women, and singles, and the church also has a program for discipleship. That’s the wrong metric. God hasn’t commanded us to make target group ministries; he has commanded us to make disciples.

Having many kinds of groups isn’t wrong, but it’s woefully incomplete. Groups can be far more dynamic and far more effective than merely providing a place where people feel good about getting together to read the Bible and pray—and eat, of course. This kind of group is effective to encourage existing relationships and assimilate people who are new to the church, but they aren’t very effective in producing multiplying disciples. Cells are in neighborhoods where you love, at your job where you work, at school where you learn. They are where you live your life, and they are where you have the biggest impact.

Cells aren’t designed merely for fellowship. They are hothouses for discipleship, where people meet under the reign of their king and Savior, where they learn to hear and obey in an environment of grace.

I see this kind of cell operating in many churches around the world, but I see very few of them in America. If pastors in the West want to use groups to assimilate people and make them feel comfortable, the existing form of small groups will work just fine. But if they want to produce multiplying disciples, they need a major overhaul of their thinking and strategy.