Table of Contents

Ministry Matters

Corrie Ten Boom said, "Be united with other Christians. A wall with loose bricks is not good. The bricks must be cemented together."1

In America, at least, it's difficult to find time-or should I say take the time?-to meet with other Christians for fellowship. Oh, I know we love after-church informal meetings around some restaurant table. But getting together consistently for fellowship, Bible study, prayer, and encouragement is hard work.

There are lots of reasons why we don't make time for others. We live in a fast-paced, fast-food, quick-cash society. We're always in a hurry. Many of us do what we need to do as fast as we can and then move on to whatever is next. I'm not saying this is all wrong, but it certainly takes away from getting to know people, finding out what their needs might be, or being accountable to one another.

Many people think that if they slow down and get to know an individual or a small group of people, they will not accomplish as many "things." They run on adrenaline; they live for stress. Listening to others is too difficult and time-consuming. May I submit that we need other people. Being part of a small group forces us to talk, listen, pray together, study our Bibles, and care for one another.

Ronald J. Sider said, "For the early Christians, koinonia was not the frilly Œfellowship' of church sponsored, biweekly bowling parties. It was not tea, cookies, and sophisticated small talk in the fellowship hall after the sermon. It was an almost unconditional sharing of their lives with other members of Christ's body."2 When we have this kind of fellowship, it is rich, healthy, and serves as the cement that holds friendships together.

Jesus did not choose the pace that many of us are acquainted with. Much of the time He worked with small groups. He sent out 72 disciples (Luke 10). He spent 3 years pouring His life into the Twelve. When He wasn't with the Twelve, He was often with only three (Peter, James, and John). There is no question that Jesus could have covered more territory and preached to more people, but as the Son of God, He accomplished far more by pouring His life into a few-those first Christians who acted like Him and did what He did. The Creator knew this small band of disciples needed fellowship, mentoring, and time. That's the way we are put together.

May I encourage you to find a way to start a small group ministry in your church. Find godly people who will lead small groups and will pour their lives into those who choose to attend. Work personally with leaders. Develop a strategy to create a small group ministry in various locations around your community.

This type of program will be a way for visitors or new converts to become acquainted with people in your church. It will become a haven for some, a place of learning for others, and a place where people can make safe friendships in an increasingly dangerous society. It will help you close the backdoor to so many who come to church just a few times. People need relationships, and they can find wholesome ones at your church.

The church leaders who have written articles or been interviewed for this issue have seen small group ministry succeed over the decades. If you had the opportunity to speak to them, they would say every church should have small group ministry. They are passionate about the subject.

Whatever you call these groups-whether choir, Sunday school, youth group, or Bible study-fellowship must happen. "Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it" (1 Corinthians 12:27, NIV).

ENDNOTES

1. Edythe Draper, Draper's Book of Quotations for the Christian World (Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House, 1992), 217.
2. Ibid.

Wayde I Goodall, D.Min., is executive editor of Enrichment and coordinator of the Ministerial Enrichment Office, Springfield Missouri.