Small Group Ministry: 21st Century Community

By Judd Crihfield

When we set aside the time to pray, eat and fellowship together this is a community. And this is the main reason that our church has been working hard to become a church of small groups-not just a church with small groups. Take a look at this quote from John Ortberg: "People rarely drift into deep community. One of the most counter-cultural statements in Scripture is a description of the early church. In speaking of the people's oneness of heart and mind, the writer notes, "They met together daily." They worshiped together, ate together, prayed together? On a daily basis. No wonder they grew so close.

We try to create 1st century community on a 21st century timetable, and it doesn't work. Maybe the biggest single barrier to deep connectedness for most of us is simply the pace of our lives. The requirement for true intimacy is unhurried time. If you think you can fit deep community into the cracks of an overloaded schedule, think again. Wise people do not try to microwave friendship, parenting, or marriage. You can't do community in a hurry. You can't listen in a hurry. You can't mourn or rejoice in a hurry. Many people lack great friends for the simple reason that they have never made pursuing community a high priority."

One of the greatest blessings from being in small groups (and I am in three of them) is that you have just put "community" on the calendar. I don't make it every time. But that is OK. You know why? Because the minute you start showing up the other members of the group expect to see you there. This is not the kind of "I expect you here at such-and-such a time" that you get from your boss or your parents. It's more like a voicemail that says "Hey, missed you the other night. Sure hope all is well. Give me a call so we know how you're doing. God Bless!"

Who among us doesn't have time to get a call like that every now and then?