A Cambridge God Adventure* 45) In praise of small groups

(*please skip if you have not been following this story). A most strategic development for building church community reached fulfilment in May 1983 when we launched Sector Groups (which some complained sounded rather militaristic!  It does!)  On a large map every member was located and then, like spokes on a bicycle wheel, a number of sectors were drawn to include them all.  This meant that those (often older) who lived in the city were linked with those who lived a little further out in a desire to mix up ages and experience.  And we placed everyone in a group.  Experts claim that no more than 60% of a congregation will actually join in small groups but we needed everyone to know where they belonged for mutual care. From then on, new members were expected to share in the church on Sundays and mid-week.

Later these morphed into Pastoral Care Groups as the church grew further.  Organizing these groups providing oversight to the leaders, training and weekly resources proved to be a huge task.  Indeed, it rated as one of the most time-consuming (and often delicate) responsibilities that I shared with leaders through ensuing years.   But these groups proved to be the bedrock for church life, growth and prayer.  I cannot overstate their importance and in ministry ever since I have championed the role of small groups...though (and this is sometimes overlooked) they need immense care in selecting, appointing and nurturing group leaders.   Like parenting you never grow past responsibilities for continuing care.

By these groups we learned fellowship and discipleship.  Difficult issues - like music in worship - could be talked over prayerfully with respect. Actually, music in worship as many traditional worshipers found the advent of contemporary music so difficult, proved to be one of the litmus paper tests of members of the congregation able to listen to each other.  And all the time the future use of our premises occupied a key place in our prayers. Oh, the value of small groups.