Big Ideas about Small Groups

The Next Evolution of Small Group Communication...

Carter Moss | CCC Adult Ministry Catalyst

When it comes to communicating and connecting with our small group members, we're constantly looking for new and better ways to increase it, since that's one of our top values of small groups--relationships. Thankfully technology has made that easier in a lot of ways, allowing our small groups to email each other updates, prayer requests, thoughts, etc. And now small group members can be-friend each other on Facebook and MySpace. 

Recently in the small group I lead, one of our members emailed the rest of the group a list of tough questions about God that they were wrestling with, and others replied with their thoughts. A couple weeks later, the small group was having a fun time bombarding each other's email inboxes with some "inside-joke" type emails (some with photos!).

So a week ago at group, someone mentioned that they really like getting the small group emails throughout the day, because they give them a mental break from work and get them thinking about our small group discussions and relationships. Then someone else spoke up and asked why we don't try doing a blog just for our small group, so we could share all of this stuff and connect there. Fortunately my apprentice is very computer-saavy, so I asked him to take this idea and run with it. And a day later, there it was--our small group blog!

Now maybe this idea isn't all that new (you tell me), but it's new to me--I hadn't heard yet of any small groups yet having their own blog that everyone can contribute to. And after just a week in existence, so far I'd say it's working out great!  Now I can't put a link here for you to read, since I'd like to protect my group's confidentiality, but here are some of the things we are using it for:

• Sharing prayer requests (in one of those blog lists on the left column)
• Sharing funny stories/photos from the group
• Asking questions about God, the Bible, etc. to get everyone's thoughts on
• Sharing reflections about the latest small group discussion
• Sharing updates of upcoming events that our small group members are involved in or could attend together
• I share my weekly update and "what you need to know" via the blog now rather than emails
• Sharing random, funny stuff to keep us all distracted at work

So give it a try and let us know how it goes!  Or if you have one, let us know what you've learned.

Sneak Peek

As you may have heard rumors of, here at CCC we are currently developing something new that we hope will be a powerful tool to help disciple people in every one of our small groups.

To go along with our new series that starts soon (The Story of Everything), we have created teaching DVD's that feature Lead Pastor Dave Ferguson and Teaching Team Leader Tim Sutherland discussing the foundations of our theology (God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, Sin, Church, Eternity).

We have also created our Big Idea Discussion Guide for this series so that small groups can use it whether or not they have seen the DVD. There is a summary of the DVD teaching at the beginning of each week's discussion guide, with the questions listed at the end.

We are putting our finishing touches on the Guide now, but today you can get your sneak peek of Week 1 HERE!

Why join a group if it's gonna reproduce?

Eric Metcalf | NewThing Adult Ministry Champion

I mean, if the people I'm going to meet and share my life with are the same people I'm going to leave behind when the group reproduces, why join a group?? Good question.  Here's why I join a group knowing that, Lord willing, the group will reproduce:

• To see people take their first steps spiritually as they experience a new small group
• To help more people find their way back to God - through prayer and community
• To be able to cry, laugh and pray together
• To see my kids become friends with other kids who's parents are pursuing God
• To keep it real - I can get out of touch and calloused to God's power if I'm not in a group
• To be changed - the Gospel wrecks my world; I become less selfish when I sacrifice what is most precious to me (community) for others to experience it

But there are other ways to reproduce small groups.  I was just talking with someone the other day about a concept that is called clustering or clusters (supposedly there is a book, but I couldn't find it).  With this concept, groups birth and meet a part for 3 weeks a month and then come together for the 4th week.  On this fourth week they call it clustering and they use this fourth week as a missional week where they invite their unchurched friends.  Apparently this is pretty popular in Europe (aren't all the cool things??).  But Steve Kerby (Montgomery Small Groups Director) already thought of the idea HERE :)

On top of all this, I don't believe you have to leave your friends behind when a group reproduces; I believe you have to be willing it just doesn't have to be an "always".  Make sense?  What do you think about all this stuff??

How to Defeat Al-Qaeda

Carter Moss | CCC Montgomery Small Groups | Adult Catalyst

If you've ever read Alan Hirsch's stuff (like his recent book Forgotten Ways), you know that he makes what I think is one of the most powerful analagoies I've ever heard about about how to increase the effectiveness of our Jesus Mission. He talks about the infamous Al-Qaeda organization, that it is seemingly unstoppable, and explains just why that is.  It's fascinating stuff, and if you're a fan of small groups, reproduction, multiplication, and de-centralization, I think you'll love it.

Rather than lay out his whole argument here, I've learned things are sometimes more effective when you can hear someone "argue" the opposite point.

So check out this funny but extremely insightful post from one of Hirsch's friends (Brant Hanson) about a great 10-point strategy for us to finally defeat Al-Qaeda.

Read it and let us know what you think...

"The Study You've Always Wanted"

Carter Moss |  CCC Montgomery Small Group Director  |  Adult Catalyst

I have a great group of people in the small group that I lead. And I love having people that are new to the whole Jesus thing in there.  However, recently it occured to me that I really needed to and wanted to teach them about the value of spiritual practices, and how to incorporate them into their lives. We call it at CCC "learning to feed yourself." I realized someone had taught them to me early in on my journey, and I have benefitted from that ever sense.

So I chose to take us through Ortberg's famous book "The Life You've Always Wanted," which I've done before in a different small group and remember liking a lot. We just finished the study, and it went very well. We had a lot of great discussion about spiritual practices, and I think people learned a lot. Now we'll see whether people will really put them into practice. It was encouraging to hear one girl say: "The other morning I woke up at 5am, didn't know what to do, so I just opened my Bible and started reading. And for the first time, it actually made sense to me!" (and she was reading Romans, not an easy start :) )

You can't beat that. So I definitely recommend covering this idea of spiritual practices in your small group. Imagine what their lives as Christ-followers would be like if they were hearing from God everyday, and obeying. Someone needs to teach them about these important practices however.

There are a number of good books on the topic. I like Ortberg's because it's written in such a way that you almost don't realize you're learning about spiritual practices, and it's very applicable and easy to read. I also just finished "Finding our Way Again: Returning to Ancient Practices" by Brian Mclaren. I've never tried it in a small group, but he has some good questions after each chapter, and I found it a very interesting (although less practical) book. There's also the classic "Celebration of Discipline" by Richard Foster (can you really celebrate "discipline"? :) ).

What are some other books/studies/methods you've used to communicate this to small groups?

Discover the Dream

Eric Metcalf | NewThing Adult Ministry Champion

As a kid I imagined I would some day be a comic book artist or an archeologist or a video game tester - do you remember those days when there was no limit to fufilling your dream?!  I know it may seem predictable, but I believe I am living out my dream here at COMMUNITY and NewThing.  Actually this has been the story of A LOT of people I know within the NewThing reproducing church movement; where they are getting the chance to live out the dream God has placed in their heart.  So how about you...what is your dream? 

Come join us on Oct 8, 8am - 11:30am at the Catalyst Conference, Atlanta GA where we are hosting the first ever Discover the Dream event as a pre-conference experience.  We are looking for the top 5% of emerging leaders to be a part of the reproducing church movement, so I am personally inviting you as a frequent viewer of this blog to this invite-only event!  A generous breakast is provided and the experience is a FREE for the first 100 registrants!  Register here NOW! and discover the dream.

Small Groups Care

Eric Metcalf | NewThing Adult Minsitry Champion

I have been a part of more than 20 small groups over the past 9 years at COMMUNITY.  Over these 9 years I have seen some pretty remarkable small groups care for one another.  One of my favorite passages in the Bible is Romans 12:15

"Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn."

I like this verse because I believe it implicates community.  You cannot have either of experiences genuinely without authentic community.  Over these 9 years that I have seen a lot of group members rejoice and how groups rejoiced with them:

• graduation from college/graduate school - guys night out, party, gifts
• babies - baby showers, diaper drives, meals
• new house - house warming party, prayer of blessing on the house

• kids in plays / sports - attend with family, cheer on the child

I have seen small groups care for group members when they mourn:

• miscarriage - prayers, meals, watching other kids
• loss of a spouse - meals, hosting and speaking at the memorial service
• loss of house - helping them move, praying with them, encouraging them

• job loss - paying for one month's mortgage, praying, networking on their behalf

Both mourning and rejoicing are empty when done alone but can change your life when experienced in biblical community.  My life has been changed through these experiences.  Where have you experienced biblical community?

The Apprentice Leader

Eric Metcalf | NewThing Adult Ministry Champion

If you missed Leadership Community this month you missed one of our most important talks ever as we covered our newly developed Apprentice Field Guide (soon to be available on our estore).  One of the first chapters in the Apprentice Field Guide covers the commonly asked question, "What do I look for in an apprentice?"  We spell out 3 "must-haves" when it comes to identifying who to ask:

• Spiritual Velocity - referring to one's growing relationship with Jesus with a concept borrowed from Brian McLaren's, More Ready Than You Realize, called the journey-factor.
• Teachability - the who apprentice to leader relationship is built on humility; as is being a Christ-follower.

• Relational Intelligence - do people enjoy being around this person; does this person see the best in others.

Wondering why Biblical knowledge isn't one of them??  Well, we feel Biblical knowledge is more of a "bonus" versus a "must-have".  It is during the apprenticeship that we prepare someone to have better Biblical knowledge (say that 3 times fast).  Other "bonuses" we look for are:

• Discernment - ability to see the difference between better and best / right and wrong / good and evil.
• Inclusive - bring people into their life regularly.

• Missional - moved from consumer to living a generous life: time / money / spiritual gifts.

Can you think of other bonuses when identifying a potential leader?

With (The new Big Idea Discussion Guide)

Our culture places huge significance on people’s
accomplishments. Often it feels like we are what we do. However, Jesus continually places emphasis on relationships, suggesting that it’s not our  accomplishments, but our connections with people that make us who we are and make life worth living. Our most central connection is that between us and God. An important promise in Scripture is God saying “I will be WITH you.” God is relational to the core of His being and as people made in His image, we are too.

Click here to download the latest Big Idea Discussion Guide, which is an excellent tool for helping you and your small group (or any group) dig into this idea of God, relationships, and community.

Connect '08 Notes

Eric Metcalf | NewThing Adult Ministry Champion

In case you missed Connect '08 or if you attended and you wanted to see what the other skills were about that you couldn't attend, here are the notes from 4 of the 6 sessions:

• Leading through Conflict and Difficult People 
• Choosing the Best Small Group Curriculum (handout) 
• The Bicycle: Building Momentum in Your Small Group (handout)

• Discipleship in Your Small Group