DreamBuilders Ministry in Motion (DBMIM) Ezine, February 12, 2008

-- Book Review: "Successful Small Groups: From Concept to Practice," by Teena M. Stewart, reviewed by Tom Hanover.

Looking for something, but not sure where to find it? DreamBuilders Ministry in Motion has produced a 50-page Resource Guide that just might have what you need. And it's FREE! You need adobe acrobat reader (also free) to read the document. Check it out at: http://www.ministryinmotion.net/christian_ministry_resource_guid.html

Editor’s Note: We have printed an excerpt of Teena’s new book, Successful Small Groups: from Concept to Practice, published by Beacon Hill Press. It is reprinted with permission from the publisher and the author. For more information, check out the included book review, or connect with Teena on the MIM blog.

There are two things you cannot do alone: marry and be a Christian. —Paul Tournier

Ask a leader of a growing and thriving church why the church is growing and thriving and he or she will likely tell you that small groups are a major reason. I have been involved in Christian small groups for many years and have seen firsthand the life transformation they bring about. Small groups secure a strong foundation for those wanting to experience the fullness of Christian community and grow mature in Christ.

Though many churches use the term small groups to refer to them, in reality small groups are known by a diversity of labels. You might hear them dubbed cell groups, Bible study groups, fellowship groups, affinity groups, recovery groups, core groups, community groups, branch groups, home-life groups, support groups, or even care groups.

Many more names abound. Despite the myriad of names, most Christian small groups have several features in common. They provide a sense of community and support for church members while giving them a safe and enjoyable atmosphere where they can learn biblical principles and grow in spiritual maturity together as a family. More and more churches are developing effective small-group ministries because they realize such groups are crucial for a healthy church ministry and for the maturation of the Christians they serve.

A crucial part of church planting includes learning as much as possible about the community in which you plan to build. A church planter and his wife establishing a church in a small northern California town canvassed residents in a door-to-door survey. Their interview included questions about lifestyle and culture and revealed a prominent felt need. Despite being surrounded by neighbors in a highly populated area, many people expressed feelings of isolation and loneliness. <Click here to read the rest of this article>

I don’t know why I always wait until the last minute to buy my wife’s Valentine’s Day present. Most likely, it’s because I’m a guy.

It’s a terrifying ordeal trying to pick out a Valentine’s Day card on Valentine’s Day evening because there is absolutely no selection left. I don’t know who else could have bought up all the good cards, because all the men on the planet are standing right there beside me in the greeting card aisle.

The only cards left by that time are written in some strange, soap opera-type language that I don’t even understand and say things like, “My Darling, blah-blah rose petals something something cherish you yada yada eternity.”

Let me tell you, I’m as romantic as the next guy, but if I go home with a card like that, my wife is going to look at me like I just beamed down from the planet Weirdonia.

But the same thing happens every year. About one week before Valentine’s Day, I think that the big day is nowhere on the radar, so I figure I still have pul-lenty of time to shop for my wife. I decide to wait a bit longer and then I’ll get right on it. Yesiree, I’m going to get right on it.

About one day before Valentine’s Day, I realize it’s time to start thinking about what gift to buy, so I decide to research the subject by watching lots of television.

Around 5 p.m. on Valentine’s Day, I sense faint warning bells deep within me. I begin to feel there is some impending danger that threatens not only my happiness but perhaps my life as well. I’m not sure exactly what it is. Maybe something to do with my wife....

At 5:02 p.m. I experience a foxhole-grade terror as I perceive what that little item is that has escaped my attention. It is only then that I begin my five-step Valentine’s Day shopping ritual.

Step 2 — Go to the candy store and discover there is a world chocolate shortage. Briefly contemplate purchasing my wife a pack of Skittles for Valentine’s Day. Briefly contemplate an early death. Decide against the Skittles.

Step 3 — Rush to mall and enter swanky department store. Walk by the ladies’ unmentionables department and turn beet-red. Kill thirty minutes trying to work up enough nerve to enter said department. Enter ladies’ unmentionables department and get ugly looks from every woman within visual range. Have a moment of stark clarity, becoming aware that I never was, and never will be, the type of guy that can shop for that kind of stuff. Tear out of ladies’ unmentionables department like a convict with a pack of bloodhounds at his heels.

Step 4 — Enter regular women’s clothing department and become aware I have no idea what size my wife wears. Experience momentary elation as I remember her measurements are 48-38-7, but then realize that is my bicycle lock combination, not my wife’s measurements. Plummet into deep depression.

Step 5 — Resign myself to buying my way out of the dilemma. Go to jewelry store and wait in line behind about fifty thousand other schmos who are in the same predicament as myself.

It’s a shame that Valentine’s Day can turn into one more thing on our list to accomplish, isn’t it? That doesn’t seem like a very good way to celebrate our relationships.

Sometimes a relationship with God can be that way. We can go through all the motions without experiencing a real connection with a loving father. All of the trappings of Christianity—church services, reading the Bible, praying, etc.—can either be opportunities to connect with God, or just more stuff to tick off our lists in an effort to make sure we don’t get in trouble. If the latter is our motive, then we’ve managed to miss the romance of knowing God.

And speaking of romance, I have decided that this year is going to be different. I plan to go ahead and get a jump on shopping for a gift for my wife, right after I watch a little tele..., um, do some Valentine’s Day gift research.

Ministry in Motion has launched a new blog for readers just like you at http://ministryinmotionnet.blogspot.com/. It is a place to ask questions, exchange ideas, and encourage other ministry leaders in our growing network.

Successful Small Groups: From Concept to Practice by Teena M. Stewart, Beacon Hill Press, 2007, 190 pages, ISBN 978-0-8341-2337-3

How would one launch a small-group ministry in a local congregation? What would a leader need to know and what kind of problems would a leader need to solve?

Teena Stewart has put all of this and more in the pages of this new book, fresh off the presses. Stewart is the founder of Ministry in Motion (the website you are reading), small group leader, and published author. Her experience as a leader of small groups as well as her research into effective small groups is assembled for easy reading by even the novice to small group ministry.

Stewart is practical and down to earth. She offers simple examples of techniques and ideas. She writes about the basics developed from her own personal experience. Her principles are founded on scriptures, and she offers a number of illustrations.

The experienced small group leader will appreciate the fresh ideas and the appendix of small group resources in the back. The new small group leader will use this as a handbook for training other leaders as well as designing a small group program in a congregation.

In addition Stewart highlights the importance of recruiting, training, and supporting small group leaders in a couple of chapters on leadership development. Careful preparation and attention to the details can establish a ministry that will support leaders as opposed to burning them out.

How does a leader deal with dysfunctional groups or group members that kill the group with their participation? These are tough issues and Stewart tackles them with thoughtful analysis and gracious advice.

This is a practical well-written resource for any leader who is working with small groups.

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Be sure to visit Ministry in Motion's Bookshop. Every resource is developed from hands-on church experience. Help members discover their spiritual gifts, how to connect them in ministry and more. Visit MIM's Bookshop.

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Ministry in Motion is looking for columnists & writers in the following areas: women's ministry, men's ministry, single's ministry, youth ministry, worship ministry, small group/bible study ministry, and general ministry. We are also open to general church ministry related freelance articles. If you have an idea for a column or would like to share ministry insight or even short ministry tips, we'd love to hear from you. Present payment is promotion only -- no pay but great exposure for you, your ministry, book, or website. Please read our writer's guidelines here.

One of the needs we have perceived at Ministry in Motion is a service to help connect qualified ministers and church workers to ministry related and church staff positions. If you are presently in job search mode, or if you have a ministry position you are looking to fill, be sure to check out this site by clicking here.

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DBMIM Ezine February 12, 2008