My brain is still thinking about the last post. I'm not liking the term "small group". Since I have responsibility for groups at GCC - might be a problem. But, I figured out why it's bugging me.
Before our friends came to church, they heard us talk of other friends we had made "in our small group." It drew the question, "Is that the thing you guys used to have at your house on Sunday nights?" They asked that question a couple years ago, and it still comes up occasionally even though they've attended GCC for a while now. I can't shake the simplicity of the question.
Small groups, home groups, connect groups, life groups: all church language! All of it! When I google these, nearly every one links to a church or a ministry support organization. I found a few exceptions - very few. The name of Benny Goodman's band at some point was "The Small Groups"? Health insurance language includes "small group" plans. Other than a few other random mentions, it's all church stuff!
The most frequently asked question from other churches: How do you get people to want to join a small group? Everyone is trying to figure it out. Talk in a language they speak, make it normal, and tell them the purpose of the group - a purpose they value.
Guests new to the church experience are reluctant. They don't trust us. Let's be honest: guests who are not new to church are reluctant. Ohhhh - bigger problem, they don't trust us either. For the same reasons that businesses fail, we need to deliver something they value (it may differ on the surface from what we value).
I'm very pumped about where we're heading!
Kathy,
I hope it is not just me, but I'm confused. I am not sure what you mean or where you are going with these last two posts. But I am looking forward to seeing where you are going with this :)
I love your heart for these issues!
Posted by: Dan Clark | February 10, 2008 at 02:01 PM
Thanks for letting me know it wasn't clear to you. Basically, I am looking at this from a big "C" Church perspective.
From what you'll see offered at GCC, we'll be taking steps to help our volunteer teams see how they are a group - not with a Bible study at their meetings, but how serving with a common purpose gives them value as a group.
Regarding the term "small group", you will hopefully hear that referred to a bit less as it really doesn't describe anything. You won't see a big change in our group structures though.
These are some small changes (language) that we hope will make a big difference. We'll still be encouraging people toward getting into relationships! Hipe that helps!
Posted by: Kathy Guy | February 11, 2008 at 06:26 AM
Thanks for your presentation yesterday at the Getting a Grip seminar. I am looking at brining my LIFE group leaders to the May session as I believe it will be extremely beneficial to them to see what we are seeking to do in groups. Thanks for pioneering and exploring!
Posted by: tom hlad | February 12, 2008 at 03:17 PM
It was great to meet you! Thanks for your kind words. I'll look forward to meeting the rest of your team in May if you're able to be here!
Posted by: Kathy Guy | February 12, 2008 at 04:47 PM
Kathy,
I learned so much at the seminar Monday. Perhaps it's more accurate to say I learned how to process what I've been feeling about groups for a while now at the seminar. Thanks so much for the insight you and the Granger team bring to ministry within a growing church seeking to impact culture. I may be hitting you with a few questions in the upcoming weeks as I seek to solidify the vision of groups here at GS and then get buy in from my fellow leaders and staff.
Happy Valentine's Day, btw! :)
JMS
Posted by: James-Michael Smith | February 14, 2008 at 12:36 PM
Kathy,
I totally get what you are saying. However, I am not sure that there is a way around it. No matter what you call your group ministry I think we are forced to define it. At our church we call our most popular groups "Home Teams" (social and study), Our study groups are "explore" groups, and our support groups are called "restore" groups. People seem to natually create some social circles around life activities but when it comes to faith there are some barriers that we have to deal with. Hopefully we can all continue to learn from eachother and encourage people to move forward in their spiritual journey.
Posted by: Frank Chiapperino | February 16, 2008 at 12:03 PM
Frank - thanks for your comment. The simple part where you refer to our group ministries as that rather than our small group ministries is a good change.
I agree that we need to define the different types of groups we offer, just as you have. I think the change needed is in how we then communicate about them so that we're getting into language understood by people who don't attend church.
Rather than "Check out Starting Point to experience a 6 week slice of small group life", we might say "Check out Starting Point for a 6 week group where you can get to know some people." (Also, our Starting Point is not the Andy Stanley brand and not what you guys offer - it's one of our brands for launching groups.)
Btw: I looked at your site - I think the explanations of your groups are really close to what I'm talking about!
Posted by: Kathy Guy | February 17, 2008 at 08:36 AM
I really don't think you need to get hung with with what you call it. It's what takes place at a "whatever" group that may keep some people from joining. I'm not saying you're doing something wrong at your groups but it can just be intimidating for some people to sit with other people and open up, share, let down walls, or whatever. I think that's the problem. Just my 2 cents.
Posted by: Tom Becker | June 13, 2009 at 03:15 PM