The Triple Pastor Message on Small Groups

This entry was posted on 9/17/2006 6:19 PM and is filed under Small Groups, Sermon.

Was it helpful to have all three pastors give input to the topic? Was it helpful for them to share in dialog fashion? Why or why not? What do you think holds people back from belonging to a small group? I can think of things like fear, unfamiliarity with something new, stuck in a rut, laziness, etc. And maybe a bad former experience with a small group, where a trust was betrayed or it was boring. But I've had some bad experiences with food and I still keep coming back to the table hoping for more! If it is the essence of God's nature to be in community, and we are created in His image to be like Him, Why would many of us rather go home and hide behind the TV or the comupter than engage with other people? Dave Owen

 

What did you think of this article?

Liked
Disliked
No Opinion

Comments

• 9/17/2006 8:25 PM Alec J Wasserman wrote:
  I thought the sermon was very well done. It does help to have all three pastors give input on the topic. You could have had many small group leaders also but there are too many groups for that.
  
  I think you hit the nail on the head Dave, a lot of people are more comfortable going home and hiding behind the TV and the computer. You can count me in on the later. And yes I can get very lazy and content. The thing that has worked for me is to make the commitment. Once I know ie that I have a small group every 1st and 3rd Wednesday or 3rd Sunday service for the month. It has become a commitment not only to myself, to everyone in my small group and to WBC and to GOD to be there and serve. If I cant make it I feel it's my responsibility to let my small group leader know in a timely fashion. Once you join a small group and interact with people they become (at least for me) my second family. I look forward to serving WBC and GOD and my lord Jesus Christ. There is so many things to be done at Wintonbury and this is one way one can be involved. You'll find people are just people and I sure would rather spend the time with you all then some of the mean people I have met in the real world. So "Just Jump In"..whoops that was last year...hehehehe. Try a small group you'll never know unless you try. Have a great week all and may GOD be with you all.
  
  I hope this one posted. Last week my comments went into cyberspace
  
  Alec J Wasserman
  Reply to this
  1. 9/21/2006 10:21 AM Dave Owen wrote:
     Alec, you may have hit on another reason some people don't feel the need for a small group: that they perhaps grew up in this area and already have what feels to them a sufficient network of friends and relatives! And many of them may be Christians too.
     
     Truth is, small groups take many forms and if people have formed a Christ centered family - and it meets frequently and regularly - and studies the Word and prays together - they already have a small group, even if they don't call it that!
     Reply to this
• 9/21/2006 10:41 AM Joni Lambert wrote:
  Just a thought, but I think Rich may have nailed it with our group. He's 'requiring' us to bring new guests to our group. I'm pretty sure we won't be flogged if we don't , but he really put an emphasis on it more than he has in the past. I think the bottom line is that those of us in groups need to get out there and personally reach out and invite people.
  
  Also, that really got me realizing that I've personally been guilty of staying in my own little 'church click'. I didn't know of anyone to invite. I had to ask Rich for a list of people he knew of not in groups that I could call.
  Reply to this
  1. 9/21/2006 9:29 PM Dave Owen wrote:
     Thanks for a very insightful response. It is really easy to get comfortable, and it does take a lot of effort to invite new people - but it is probably the very best way to go. Thanks again,
     Dave
     Reply to this
• 9/21/2006 11:10 AM Katherine Charette (Casey) wrote:
  I have a small group at my home every other Wednesday. Last night we got together for our opening dinner to discuss what we wanted to study. We have now been together since we started back with the 40 days study. We have all become very close and have a great relationship in our Lord Jesus. This year we are doing the Book of Hebrews and we cannot wait to get started. We all look forward each year, in Sept. in getting back to our group.When we end late July we have a hugh cook out and when we start up again we get together for dinner. During our time in our studies we grow so much in the Lord and learn so much by conversing and giving our thoughts about the study and how it impacts our lives. We vote on what we would like to study which makes this group so special. Its so great having our group in my home, the Lord has blessed me.
  I truly recommend getting involved in a small group it takes away the "I" and turns it in to "WE" and if you think about it that puts an enormous smile on the Lord's Face. Also there may be 3 people joining our group this year so we will be praying for that.
  Join a SMALL group you'll have everything to gain.
  
  Katherine
  Reply to this
• 9/21/2006 11:29 AM Brett Carlson wrote:
  Great thoughts mentioned about the "small group" challenge. It has been mentioned several times from our 3 pastors and others on different occasions that it's in the small group where personal growth and changes takes place. I agree because I have seen lives changed (mine included) and personal growth occur. If this is true and the cultural "norm" is no one likes change, this presents a challenge. I know we are all real busy with all kinds of things that are important to us but I think we have to begin by examining our own hearts. Do we want, I mean really want, desire, I mean really desire, to be more like Christ or am I content being who I really am with a little bit of Christ likeness in me? Anything good in life is received through "hard work". In my life I have found that this hard work concept is true in my spiritual life as well. Do you think that when Jesus got up early, while it was still dark, left the disciples and went to the hillside, knelt down to begin to pray was hard work? He was physically tired and the demands on His life was so great. I think it was truly hard work.
  Here is a quote for you to ponder.
  
  "Hard work spotlights the character of people: some turn up their sleeves, some turn up their noses and
  some don't turn up at all."
  
  Sam Ewing (1920-2001)
  American writer & humorist
  
  This quote makes sense. "Turning up your sleeves" could mean you'll make the commitment to grow in Christ what ever the cost.
  
  "Some turn up their noses" could mean that you see the work (your spiritual growth) that needs to take place, but you may have other things going on that seem to be more important.
  
  "Some don't turn up at all" could mean
  I think I'm part of the body (I attend church occasionally) but I don't need this.
  
  It all begins with the attitude of our hearts. Does my heart have a great attitude toward growing in Christ or a bad attitude.
  
  If it's a great attitude (because we are growing in Christ) we will be excited and easily invite people to our groups, if not, our small groups may just become smaller.
  Reply to this
• 9/21/2006 1:52 PM Liz Martinez wrote:
  The sermon was great and the emphasis on small groups is great, but I think the issue comes in getting people into the small groups. I don't think that the pastors promoting small groups and having a massive somewhat random small groups sign-up is the way to go about it. Yes, I definitely think the pastors need to promote the small groups and especially sharing their experiences is great. But I don't think a massive somewhat random sign-up works. It worked and works well when there is a specific purpose for the sign-up-- for instance the 40 Days groups or the Volunteer Revolution campaign. At that time, everyone was studying the same exact thing so to some extent it didn't matter what group you were in. Now, everyone is studying different things and the groups have different memberships. By that, I mean there are groups of young couples, there are groups of singles, etc... But then even among the many young couples groups there are different focuses of the study and a different group dynamic. In a perfect world, everyone would get along with everyone else and no one would be uncomfortable anywhere or shy-- but we all know we don't live in a perfect world.
  The problem with the mass sign-up is that
  1- if you don't know the people, how can you feel comfortable being in a small group with them. not knowing the people works ok for a Bible study where the focus is mainly studying the Bible and maybe it's application and there really isn't much focus on sharing anything personal. But the idea of a small group is relational and to many people just joining a random small group without knowing anyone in the group is uncomfortable. I mean, you just don't know if you will feel comfortable sharing with these people. How do you know if you will get along with them?
  2- Even if you know the people you may not be interested in studying what they are studying, or maybe you aren't comfortable just signing up for their group and showing up at someone's house and joining without being personally invited.
  
  I think that possibly a better approach to connecting people into small groups would be instead of asking them to just look around and pick a group on their own-- have them fill out a form or questionnaire about what they are looking for in a small group. Have the small groups fill out the same questionnaire where they say what their group is "about" so to speak. Then you can use that information to match people to small groups. Have someone from the small group call or speak to the person who is interested in joining and invite them to the group.
  
  I realize that involves a lot more work, but I think it will create better matches in small groups. And, you remove the "I don't know the people and don't just want to show up at someone's house" excuse. When Josh and I joined a small group, we were invited and I will tell you, we definitely would not have joined a small group had we not been invited.
  Reply to this
  1. 9/21/2006 9:36 PM Dave Owen wrote:
     If I hear you right, the suggestion is that for longer term groups at least a big signup is attempting to help people into a relational group using a non-relational method. Good point.
     
     There is also the more hidden way that we use all the time behind the scenes, of helping people match with the right group. That's also why we invited people to stop by the tent and talk personally with someone who could help them with a good match. Maybe we would be better served doing the big highlight but not to look for signups on the spot as much as to raise the value of groups in the Body, and then match them up one by one.
     Reply to this
     1. 9/22/2006 8:52 AM Liz Martinez wrote:
        Dave,
        I think you summed up my somewhat long post very well. I thkn the more "hidden way" that is used all the time is probably the best method for really connecting people to a good group.
        
        Yes, having people in the tent available to talk is a good idea-- however, it is hard to talk to someone when 50 or 100 other people are trying to do the same thing. Or when there are other people milling around looking at books or talking to others. There is a personal touch there, but because there are so many people looking for the same personal touch at the same time and only a few people available it isn't as effective. It is similar to a busy shoe store having 50 customers all needing someone to get them a certain size shoe at the same time, but only one or maybe 2 sales associates there to get them- know what I mean?
        
        I think you hit the nail on the head there-- the events of Sunday are great for highlighting small groups and helping explain/demonstrate their value but not necessarily for having people sign-up on the spot.
        Reply to this
        1. 9/25/2006 9:18 PM Patty Havens wrote:
           I like Liz's thoughts and agree with Dave's summary. The sermon was great. There's no doubt a small group is great. What keeps us from joining is the sitter needs. Doug and I so need time alone together and to spend our only $$ on a sitter to go to small group - we never fed our relationship. Its hard when the kids are young. Our schedules just aren't jiving with any of the groups since its a static schedule and I don't wish to attend alone and pay a sitter. I loved being in small groups in the past - we had an awesome one for several years. But its a cycle that needed to end - as sad as it was to see it end. Hopefully, as this chapter in our life ends, we will too join another small group (probably from a personal invitation rather than an outreach event. 8-)
           Reply to this
• 9/21/2006 1:57 PM David Paul wrote:
  I personally thought it was a great way to present the importance of small groups and the fact that we need each other to really grow in our Christian walk. I especially loved the easy interactive way in which Andre, Dave, and Rich relate to one another. It was clear that they have a good working and personal relationship that has enriched their lives and helped them grow. However, one concern that I had was with the skit. Perhaps I am the only one who feels this way but I thought that though the skit was excellent and the people who took part in it did great, I nevertheless felt that the message we were trying to convey did not come through clearly. The fact that none of the small groups that were portrayed were 'healthy'ones could have discouraged someone who was thinking about joining from trying a small group - my personal preference would have been to portray a healthy group as the last scenario. The point was made not by the skit itself but by Rich that hopefully none of Wintonbury's small groups are as dysfunctional but I felt that this reinforcement should have been stronger.
  Reply to this
  1. 9/21/2006 2:02 PM Liz Martinez wrote:
     David, I absolutely agree! I liked the skit, but I felt that it didn't end well. I was expecting the very last group shown to be a healthy group and for the couple to have been happy that they decided to join a small group- not to decide to go to the movies by themselves.
     Reply to this
  2. 9/21/2006 9:45 PM Dave Owen wrote:
     Actually, if there was a problem with the drama/message combo, it may have been that we are still learning how to follow a drama like that. It is intentially designed to set up the need for what follows after it, and not to give the "right answer."
     
     So we started with humorous, negative examples, then went to positive, Biblical examples of small groups, and then to examples of how small group experience changes lives (complete with canine Bible study application). But somehow, for some folks at least, the positive examples were not strong enough to counterbalance the negative.
     Reply to this
• 9/21/2006 6:06 PM Uwe Hambrecht wrote:
  Rich, Andre and Dave,
  thank you for sharing the importance of a small group last Sunday. I could just wish that everyone who has not been in a small group will have a chance to experience the fellowship with each other and foremost the intimacy with GOD, the Father, the son and the Holy Spirit.
  I believe it is the personal touch to get someone excited about getting together in a small group. The...ONE ON ONE...approach. There is always the fear of people who consider a small group that they don't know what to expect, stepping out of their comfort zone, new faces, openess, new relationships that take work, and of course all of that should not be an obstacle for anyone considering the promise that is waiting for us
  
  “Where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them” (Mt 18:20)
  
  It's all about HIM, thanks Rich, Dave and Andre for displaying a healthy small group model.
  Reply to this
• 9/21/2006 9:20 PM tammy barlow wrote:
  I appreciated the sermon and skit but I don't believe that the lack of small group sign ups could be attributed to either one specifically. Families may be limited in their ability to join a small group because of many factors. Wintonbury has many young families; I believe that childcare plays a major role in their ability to join a small group. I know that it did for Ed and I for quite awhile. Also, our society already breaks up families by age segregated acts and some families have such limited time together as it is that another night out for the parents becomes too much. I believe that there is only one family friendly group.
  I also believe that more information regarding the groups may be helpful i.e. what they will be studying, service group, etc. I know that in the past we had a list of small groups with this kind of information and it gave people time to think about their involvement. It is hard to make a committment on the spot.
  I hope this information is helpful.
  Reply to this
  1. 9/21/2006 9:50 PM Dave Owen wrote:
     Thanks Tammy! I'd like to know more about something before I sign up too. We had a list of all the groups, grouped by type, but I think many people didn't get it, so we will put another in the bulletin this week. The bottom of each signup sheet had a space for the study material, but in many cases we did not know what they were studying. We made an attempt to call all the group leaders through our group coaches before Sunday, but many groups had not yet decided what their study for this fall would be.
     Reply to this
• 9/22/2006 9:03 AM Dawn Hambrecht wrote:
  I was very encouraged when I saw our three pastors together on Sunday. It was a beautiful reminder of the wonderful team they are and how their different personalties, gifts, experiences and ages make up a balanced team. The open ended skit appealed to me because everyone has a different positive picture of a small group and had one been displayed, it might have closed some opportunites for thought. I also am excited about how Wintonbury has been offering training and assistance in helping people willing to lead groups. This is good for the potential leaders as well as for group members to build confidence in the quality and effectiveness of small groups. Small groups are essential and I appreciate what Wintonbury is doing. Personal invitations play a big role in involvement, as does priority (Do I value the investment enough to overcome the obstacles? There are many obstacles to overcome, practical as well as emotional and relational, in being a part of a small group.) Thank you for all the efforts Wintonbury is making to connect people to God and to each other. I left Sunday with some practical changes I need to make in forming a new small group. Dawn Hambrecht
  Reply to this
• 9/22/2006 1:18 PM Janine Hewitt wrote:
  As I'm relatively new to Wintonbury (but not to small groups) I really appreciate all of the encouragement - and support - behind small groups. I've been in the process of starting a new group, and am learning a lot through the experience. I agree with those who wrote that people are unlikely to "sign up" for a group in which they do not know anybody, unless the there is a specific focus of the group (like quilting for example) that is an avid interest for them. I would have been very surprised if someone I didn't know, or hadn't talked to about the small group, signed up "cold". Thanks again to those at Wintonbury who offer their support, encouragement and wisdom to help these groups, it is definitely appreciated!
  Reply to this
• 9/22/2006 9:49 PM Cathie Barra wrote:
  I enjoyed having all three of our pastors participate in Sunday's message ... in a very unique way. I have been very blessed by my 'small group experience' and continue to be! I think it is fair to say that adults (like children) need information communicated more than once AND in a variety of ways. Sunday (skit and 'discussion' sermon) was one way. Maybe a church family 'covered dish' gathering would encourage getting to know one another thus opening opportunity for joining a small group. The church family retreat was a perfect example of getting to know people who we may have smiled at, said hello to on occasion ~ but never really had a chance to get to know. I believe fellowship opportunities at church (in addition to Sunday services) could be very beneficial in building relationships.
  Reply to this
• 9/23/2006 9:18 PM Dave Owen wrote:
  Thanks everyone -please check the next thread for a summary of your input plus a new question. Thanks for sharing excellent insights!!
  Reply to this
• 6/9/2010 11:36 AM replica watches wrote:
  Google or other search engines for unlock your wii Check out related networks review the niche forums and join the discussions replica watches All this will help you to find all you need And also we would recommend you to sign up for the RSS on this blog because we will keep this blog updated with new publications about respective issues fake rolex watches for sale fake cartier watches replica panerai omega watches Youe just heard this awesome news It has got back once again I mean that Wii game console is the most desirable Christmas gift ones again As for me I don doubt that this going to be everlasting
  Reply to this
• 7/28/2011 2:58 AM rectangular dog beds wrote:
  I would like to thank you for the efforts you made in writing this post. I am hoping the same best work from you in the future as well.
  Reply to this