Where do micro groups fit in the larger picture of church ministry?

 Where do micro groups fit in the larger picture of church ministry?

This could certainly be listed in the category of the top 5 questions we get at GDI. The question also comes in another form: What role do traditional small groups have in a church that wants to move toward micro groups?

The best way to answer this question is to show how different spaces can and should co-exist together. Joseph Myers first popularized the concept of making room or seeing the value of spaces in his book Search to Belong and is expounded on in Bobby Harrington’s Discipleship that Fits. I will describe the spaces in thumbnail fashion in this shorter blog.  The four spaces are public, social, personal and transparent or intimate.

Public Space (50+): In the church public space is associated with the gathered community in worship. A person identifies with a group and considers themselves associated at some level. If asked, “Where do you go to church?”, a person would give a specific community, no matter the commitment level or frequency of attendance. Public space allows people to find their own level of involvement or pace of engagement. Besides showing up, little commitment is required.

Social Space (20-150): Once a person begins to associate with a community, there comes the desire to find people with whom they share “chemistry.” Chemistry comes in many forms: common interests, age and stage, personality, shared vision and mission, etc. Usually churches provide spaces in a class, or social group to casually size up others, make connections, so that people start to feel a part of the church. The level of commitment is still very much up to individual desire.  

Personal Space (6-20): This space provides a way for people to go deeper into the lives of a subset within the church. You are starting to get “glued” to people more deeply by sharing your own personal journey of faith and know the journey of others as well. You are starting to experience church as family. This is “small group” territory. Expectations are increasing. For example, if the group meets you will make the effort to get there or at least let people know why you can’t. You will share you joys and concerns; reflect together on a Scripture passage or book; pray for one another and encourage each other between meeting. Friendships are being formed. 

Transparent Space (3-4): In transparent space, there is an exponential increase of commitment in multiple areas. This is micro group territory. The purpose is to make a serious, focused commitment to be a follower of Jesus is all we are and do. In addition, the group exists to equip the members to learn to disciple others by replicating this experience. Preparation is required. A core biblical, disciple making curriculum helps lay solid foundations and then serves as a transferable tool to use with others. Confidentiality is part of the covenant, because it is expected that deep personal sharing to the point of mutual confession will mark the group life. Leadership is shared because it is passed around. These groups can be viewed as base communities from which to be sent into our homes, church, community, workplace, etc.

In sum, healthy churches can and should provide all of these spaces. In other words, small groups exist alongside micro groups. Yet, I would add, this scheme provides a direction of people flow toward the more focused, intentional, deeply relational disciple making emphasis of the micro group.