^"The believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to the community, to their shared meals, and to their prayers.  A sense of awe came over everyone. God performed many wonders and signs through the apostles.  All the believers were united and shared everything.  They would sell pieces of property and possessions and distribute the proceeds to everyone who needed them. Every day, they met together in the temple and ate in their homes. They shared food with gladness and simplicity.  They praised God and demonstrated God’s goodness to everyone. The Lord added daily to the community those who were being saved." ~ Acts 2:42-48 (CEB)

This description of the early church provides a compelling model for ministry: doing Christ-centered life together. How are we holding one another accountable for this level of devotion? John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, implemented a particular system for living in covenant with Christ and one another that fueled a movement. Likewise most high impact and growing churches are driven by some form of small group ministry. Why would that be? Because creating an environment where people can holistically live out their discipleship with others is transformative.

If you are among the group of churches who say something like: "We tried small groups before but they just don't work here," you may need to re-think a few things and explore more intentionally the wide-variety of models of small groups.

Before you start researching particular models, you need to understand that small groups are not intense bible studies or social clubs of a particular size or format. Instead they are formed around intentionally deepening relationships with one another and with God so that we are supported in better living our our discipleship. Learn more about three elements of vibrant small groups -- connecting, transforming and sharing--that all models share (even if they use different words).

While there is no "right" model of small group ministry, there is one or more that will fit your context better than others. Models include: open, closed, cell, free-market/affinity, neighborhood, purpose-driven, sermon-based, organic, or host groups.

• Learn more about models, including the covenant discipleship model
• Learn more about choosing the right model
• Learn more about people group preferences 

Don't be afraid to offer a diversity of models, just don't try to blend the models into one frankenstein-like small group monster! For example, you might decide to have some groups based on shared interests or circumstance (e.g., women, BBQ, young adults, walking, etc.), others open, and still others closed so that you have a mix that handles the wide range of folks who find themselves in different places in life and in their own discipleship maturity. >Learn more

Once you have decided your approach, be very clear about your expectations for leaders and groups and have a plan for creating success. This plan needs to include: casting vision, leader support, launching and re-launching, and how you will create on-ramps to this ministry so that new people find their way into it without encountering roadblocks. One popular approach is to conduct church-wide, short-term studies. Popular times for these are fall, advent, the start of the new year and lent.

The healthiest way to grow new small group leaders is from within healthy small groups. There is emerging consensus to select small group leaders who set a bar that is NOT too high for mere mortals. If your small group leader job description sounds like you are looking for Jesus, you are in trouble! Successful small group leaders are pray-ers who love people and who have experienced your model of small group ministry personally.

This may feel a bit overwhelming -- especially if you are viewing this as something you are adding to what you are currently doing. Read Becoming a Church of Small Groups instead of a Church with Small Groups for insight on how this approach might actually make church life simpler and more effective.

If you are persistent, clear and disciplined, it will take 2-3 years before a culture of small groups is established. Don't give up! There are no short-cuts for lifechanging ministry.

Learn More About:

• Making the Case for Small Group Ministry
• Getting Started in Covenant Discipleship Groups
• Developing a Small Group Strategy
• Building a Small Group Team
• Creating Sermon-Based Small Groups by Steve Cordel (an NEJ UMC pastor)
• Turn Ministry Teams into Small Groups