Small Groups 101

In the mid-80s, I was introduced to the philosophy behind small groups, sometimes called kinships.  The core of this philosophy is the belief that ministry should flow out of relationship - relationship with God first. This ministry should also be motivated by love for God and for those with whom we have a connection, believer or not.  Paul says in 1 Corinthians 13 that anything not motivated by love is worthless.  "I am bankrupt without love."  [v.7 - Message]

What is a kinship?  A kinship is a small group of people (Twelve to twenty-five is comfortable) who meet together to experience what the New Testament refers to as koinonia, or fellowship.  In essence, the individuals in the small group become almost a second family to each other. They learn how to share their lives with each other.

Small groups have been around for a long time.  Jesus had the twelve.  He shared His life with these guys and the people who traveled around with them.  After Jesus' death, these guys and others began to gather in small groups, usually in homes, to share their lives with each other.  This is how the early church began - small groups who met in homes and shared their lives and goods with each other.

What do modern kinships do?  According to Vineyard's model for small groups, these groups are places where believers can experience any number of things:  They can grow, learn how to minister and how to bring others into the kingdom of God, serve, study the Bible, pray, sing worship songs, try new things and sometimes fail, cry, laugh, share meals, and even play together.  These small groups are "safe" places where one can receive  ministry and encouragement from the members in the group and be healed and enabled to reach out to others.  These groups are places

• where people can develop meaningful relationships with other believers,
• where an environment of nurturing and discipling takes place,
• where those who want to become leaders can practice and develop their leadership skills,
• where people can experience accountability,
• where people can bring their nonbelieving friends and acquaintances who are interested in becoming believers.

These groups can also be event specific.  In other words, one particular group of people might meet for a very specific reason.  For instance, those in recovery might meet with each other.  Women might meet to exercise together and even learn to worship through dance.  Song writers could meet to share material or collaborate on new songs.  People might do a specific Bible study.  The options are endless; however, the results are the same.  These people develop meaningful relationships that strengthen and encourage and provide a means of being accountable to God in this world.  They also provide opportunities of ministry to one another.

What is the leadership structure of a kinship?  The leadership team of a small group is usually (not always) composed of three to six people.

• The host couple or person is the one responsible for opening up the home (or the church) for the small group meeting.  They do the things that a host would do:  welcome everyone, set up the room, make sure that there is toilet paper in the bathroom, make coffee (even snacks), clean up afterwards, and help the other members of the leadership team fulfill their responsibilities.
• The worship leader is in charge of leading worship at the small group.  This could be one person or a very small group of people.  This person chooses the songs, leads the worship time, and provides the group with song sheets/overheads/booklet.  He may also be called upon to train future worship leaders.
• The facilitator is the person or couple who is in charge of directing the meeting.  He makes sure that the sequence of events that comprise the meeting flow smoothly.  He also listens to see what God wants to do in the meeting.

Ideally, people who serve in a leadership capacity in kinships eventually serve the larger fellowship in a leadership capacity.  In other words, small groups are great places to identify and develop future leaders.

Finally, today many people who do not attend church simply cannot be reached in a large church setting.  They can though be reached through relationships, especially the kind of relationships nurtured in a kinship setting.  Many of these people feel safer going to a home meeting or a small meeting and are more willing to try out small groups than to attend a larger church service.  Therefore, small groups are another way of reaching out to and sharing the gospel of Christ with our community.

Speaking from my own experience, small groups have definitely been a positive influence in my own life.  The things I've learned and the relationships I've made in these small groups are priceless and have encouraged me to draw closer and closer to God.  These experiences and these people have positively been the grace of God poured out upon me.

If you are interested in beginning a small group, contact Jim or one of our leaders here at Gadsden Vineyard.