Group Divorce

This is probably one of my most disliked aspects of group life...group multiplication. Yea, yea, i know that it's vital for the continuation of the church but that doesn't mean that I have to like it right?

I mean, I have worked tirelessly to build friendships with these people. My wife and I have invited them over, gone to movies, went for ice cream, watched the game, prayed for, called on, taken food to, hung out with, sat in the ashes with, celebrated with, encouraged, affirmed, emphathized, sympathized, hurt for, bragged on, worried about, spurred on, lost sleep over, watched as God moved in the lives of these people! Now we have to move on? It doesn't seem fair and it doesn't seem right? Why can't the church grow but us still maintain our circle of fellowship? Surely the kingdom of God doesn't need my small group to accomplish the purposes set out by God right?

Does this argument sound familiar?

I hear it often as I lead the discipleship efforts here at FBC and it's usually around this time of year. It's never an easy thing to make a transition like this...my group is going through it right now. It flat out stinks and can be messy.

However I think there are some misconceptions still lingering about...they cease to fade. As a small group point leader I think it's time to set the record straight. Below is my philosophy on small group multiplication:

1. The focus in not splitting the group, rather the focus is apprentice leader development (leader multiplication) so that the group remains intact and the apprentice or current leader is sent out to multiply into a new group. To me it doesn't make sense to encourage others to velcro themselves together for the next "era" of their lives but then ask them to split 1 year later...it's counterproductive for building community in my mind.

2. This process of leader multiplication is essential to the continuation of the church. In the words of the immortal Bill Donahue "The vitality and effectiveness of any local church is directly related to the quality of its leadership. It is the responsibility of the chruch to identify and develop new leaders so that the mission of the Gospel can be accomplished and so that people can be shepherded...it is the duty and privilege of all small group leaders to train up a new generation of leaders and to pass the baton effectively. The future hangs in the balance." LLCSG p. 67

3. The process of multiplication can blow up good and fast if you are not on top of things. Have you given everyone an opportunity to be heard? Do they understand why _______ is leaving to start a new group? Do they know that there is a reason why you push so hard for the apprentice process?

4. The undeniable truth of the words of John Ortberg. "to experience the joy of community and then keep it to ourselves is a violation of the Gospel." There are people out there right now looking for what you have...what does it say to the unknown if we know they're there but do nothing to provide them with the very thing they yearn for?

I leave you with a great quote from the legendary Bill Hybels

"God knows nothing of a people who stretch their arms upward to Him yet don't in turn stretch out their arms to those He loves so much. So much that His Son stretched out his arms to make it possible for them to be touched."

Your thoughts?

Till next time,

JR