Small Group Ministry podcast

By Steve Manskar

On Friday, December 9, 2011, I recorded a podcast for the Baltimore-Washington Conference. The topic was "Small Groups."

Here's a link to the podcast: http://www.bwcumc.org/resources/podcasts/smallgroupministry

Here are my notes:

Wesleyan leadership small group ministry podcast 241x300
Trinity (Andrei Rublev). Public Domain.

On Friday, December 9, 2011, I recorded a podcast for the Baltimore-Washington Conference. The topic was "Small Groups."

Here's a link to the podcast: http://www.bwcumc.org/resources/podcasts/smallgroupministry

Here are my notes:

What is a small group?

A small group is 3-12 people who desire to live and grow in holiness of heart and life as disciples of Jesus Christ.

Small groups are the incubators of discipleship.

Small groups are how disciples have historically been formed, especially in the
Wesleyan/Methodist tradition.

Small groups are the method of Methodism.

Why are small groups important to disciple-making and discipleship?

Human beings are created in the image of the triune God.

The triune God, known by the relational name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, is relational.

To be created in the image of this relational God means that humans are essentially relational creatures. We are made with the capacity, even the need, to give and receive love.

Small groups are where the Christians form relationships of trust and love with others. They are where the Church helps Christians to obey Jesus’ “new commandment” to “love one another. Just as I have loved you, you should also love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:34-35).

Small groups provide the support and accountability people need to live and grow in holiness of heart and life.

Discipleship is hard and it does not come naturally. It requires support and accountability in small groups because discipleship cannot be an individual effort. It requires a community. This is what John Wesley meant when he said “there is no holiness but social holiness.”

How does small group ministry fit into the Call to Action?

It seems to me that Call to Action is all about what needs to be done to support vital congregations. One of the marks of vital congregations is participation in small groups. The Call to Action recognizes the importance of the method of Methodism. It recognizes that participation in small groups are necessary if The United Methodist Church is going to be faithful to its mission to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

How can a congregation get started with small group ministry?

Congregations can begin by recognizing they already have small groups. They are called “The Church Council”, “SPPRC”, “Trustees”, “Finance/Stewardship Committee”, “Worship Committee”, etc.

A good place to begin is to help every group to be a community that helps its members grow in holiness of heart and life and contributes to the congregation’s mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

Another important place to start is for the congregation to adopt and teach the General Rules as the United Methodist Rule of Life.

A rule of life is a pattern of spiritual disciplines that provides structure and direction for growth in holiness. It fosters gifts of the Spirit in personal life and human community, helping to form us into the persons God intends us to be.

How do we prepare people to lead small groups?

Covenant Discipleship

What is the pastor’s role in small group ministry?

The pastor must lead in small group ministry. He or she must participate in a Covenant Discipleship group with laity in the congregation.

The pastor helps to identify, equip and support leaders in discipleship who lead small groups.

How does the congregation support small groups and small group leaders?

The congregation must embrace small group ministry as integral to its mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. It must understand that small group ministry is more than a program, it is essential to Christian formation and mission.

Covenant Discipleship groups are a proven way of forming and supporting persons as leaders in discipleship. The congregation needs to make Covenant Discipleship an integral part of its disciple-making infrastructure

Where can a church find ideas or resources for starting or expanding their small group ministry?

Discipleship Ministries is a good place to start.

The Upper Room

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