I received this morning the latest edition of the Unstuck Church Report. Produced by Tony Morgan’s The Unstuck Group, I find their sample size somewhat limited, but their conclusions worthy of attention. This is particularly true of their recent observation concerning small group engagement. According to their latest report, though weekly worship attendance is up 22% from the previous year, small-group participation has declined. Only 47% of church going adults and students (not the same as weekly worship attendance) engage the small group ministry of their church, down from 51% a year ago.
So, more people are attending but fewer are connecting. Let that sink in.
With the pounding worship attendance has taken through COVID, our local storms, and the ever changing attendance patterns of even the most faithful members, there’s reason to celebrate when more people gather to worship our glorious Savior. But, as significant as corporate worship is (and it significant), it is only one dimension of congregational life. Community, the relational connection that can only happen in smaller, more intimate gatherings, is equally important.
The smaller community is where the majority of pastoral ministry and prayer support occurs for church members. It’s often where members ponder the truths shared from the pulpit and consider their application. It’s definitely where meaningful discipleship happens. And it’s a great avenue for missional engagement and leader development. For many, their first pathway for service came via the small group.
In the olden days of the 1980s, they used to teach in preacher school that “Sunday School is the church organized for ministry.” Today, we might expand the statement to include home groups, cell groups, life groups, connection groups, D groups, or any label your church might choose. But the point is the same, that churches should value and strengthen small group engagement at the same level as we do worship.
Community matters. What is your church doing to strengthen small group engagement? If you need help in this area, give your partners at GTBN a call.
Blessings,
Bro. Jim