The Life-Changing Potential of Small Groups

A devastating plague swept across Germany in the late 17th century. In some places, as many as two-thirds of the population perished. As with earlier waves of “The Black Death,” the epidemic did immeasurable damage to the entire fabric of society, compounding grief and loss with poverty and hopelessness. However, in the immediately following years, a remarkable thing happened. New institutions were created: schools, hospitals, bakeries, farms, bookstores, museums, and other social enterprises.

A leading pioneer of this astonishing cultural renewal was a Lutheran pastor and theologian in the city of Glaucha, August Hermann Franke. Moved by the plight of orphaned children, Franke established the Halle Orphanage which expanded to other locations and spawned new institutions that included a teaching college, a pharmacy, and a publishing house. In the ensuing years, Franke’s vision and philanthropy inspired an expanding Christian reform and social renewal movement that would positively shape culture throughout the continent.

In his book Reappearing Church, Mark Sayers notes that this harvest of cultural revitalization sprouted from the seed of Franke’s own personal belonging in a small group. Franke was a man with an impressive academic pedigree. He possessed a strong intellectual belief. Yet his faith fully flowered through regular fellowship with a small band of other Christians to study Scripture together, pray for one another, share struggles and encouragement, and experience Christian friendship. Commenting on his faith before joining a small group, Franke shared, “my theology I set in my head and not in my heart . . . it was much more a dead science than a living belief.”

Like others in the first generations of church leaders following the Protestant Reformation, Franke had been influenced by Martin Luther’s encouragement for believers to form “little churches within the church” (ecclesiolae in ecclesia). A key Protestant practice was for believers in each locale to become agents of revival in a stagnant European Christendom by forming small cells within the larger organism of the body. Of course, small groups have their biblical origins in our Lord himself, whose constant concern was the welfare and discipleship of the twelve. And the influence of this small group changed the world.

St. John the Divine has been blessed through the decades with many members who, like Franke, developed a life-changing relationship with Christ through participation in small groups. I hear the testimony often, especially from older, long-standing parishioners. Many have also developed their most important friendships in such groups at SJD. We are entering a new season of church life wherein we want not only to support and encourage our small groups, but to reimagine a stronger, larger, better-connected network of small groups. We want every member to consider becoming a part of one, and we want the church to provide greater clarity on how that can happen.

Why are small groups important, and how do they function? First, in our strategic visioning for the future called SJD 2030, we are clear about our vision: “SJD is passionately committed to welcoming new people into our community, growing together in the Christian faith, and going forth into Houston to bear the gospel for the sake of others.” Cultivating a robust community of small groups will be key to the fruition of all three goals in that statement. It seems to be a law of human social dynamics that people mature most and flourish best when they share life with 6-12 others with whom there is deep trust, mutual accountability, and ritual fellowship. Again, we need look no further than Jesus’ own pastoral plan for the spread of this Kingdom in his calling of “those whom he wanted to be with him” (Mark 3:13). While the gospels record that Jesus spent much time among the crowds, they reveal that he spent even more time with his 12 disciples.

How do small groups function? Space limitations prevent a more thorough dive into the sociology of small group dynamics. However, it is commonly accepted that within the life of the church, such groups embody familiar and rhythmic patterns: regular gatherings of at least twice a month if not weekly; Bible study and reflection; opportunity for prayer; and appropriate sharing of personal matters of importance. At their best, small groups will occasionally incorporate a shared meal and sometimes a fun recreational outing. In other words, there is nothing at all complicated or intimidating about Christian belonging in a small group. Again, parish leadership is working to develop better avenues for your participation and welcomes your thoughts and feedback as we do so.

I quote again from our forthcoming Strategic Plan, as we envision the future for SJD in five years, we want to be able to say that “members of all stages of faith are grateful for their church, understand how to grow in their relationship to Jesus, and are invited to belong in small groups where friendships are fostered, and everyone’s gifts are being nurtured.” We have the witness of history and the gospel itself that such small groups can offer tremendous growth and blessing to members themselves. And even more, by the power of the Spirit, such groups may empower a revitalized faith among members “going forth” that can transform the world around us. And who doesn’t yearn for that?

Wisdom Worth Pondering

"No one in history has ever been more approachable than Jesus Christ. No prerequisites. No hoops to jump through… The minimum bar to be enfolded into the embrace of Jesus is simply: open yourself up to him. It is all he needs. Indeed, it is the only thing he works with.”

– Dane Ortlund, Gentle and Lowly: The Heart of Christ for Sinners and Sufferers

Rector's Book Recommendation

A New and Ancient Evangelism: Rediscovering the Ways God Calls and Sends by Judith Paulsen, (Baker Academic, 2024)

I read this relatively new book over the winter and found it highly readable and helpful, suitable for any lay person keen to consider how we share faith with others in our contemporary contexts. Paulsen is a professor of evangelism at Wycliffe College, University of Toronto. I regret not taking a course with her during my own studies there! Paulsen offers here an accessible study of various conversion stories in the Bible and how we may apply their lessons today in our own witness. I think this book will be a particularly useful and enriching study for any small group.