Magazine for March 2011
Small groups
At last, the final instalment, the S-Z (well ,W), of the words used by group members to describe their groups.
| supportive | vulnerability | worshipping |
| Spirit-filled | very worthwhile | wonderful |
| safe | valuable | welcoming |
| sharing | varied | |
| social | ||
| searching | ||
| sense of humour |
The Small Group Vision is that “Each group is a dynamic unit of around eight people, dedicated to meeting together, seeking to grow and actively apply faith in Jesus to their daily lives and in reaching out to others. Members support each other (as well as others beyond the group) emotionally, with practical help, and through prayer, all in God’s power through Biblical teaching and the gifts of the Holy Spirit.”
So its great to see ‘supportive’ in the list – in fact it got ten mentions, and one of them was almost certainly mine. I have had lots of emotional, practical and prayer support from my group and it is support that has helped me not only to survive, but also to grow.
The new St Mark’s vision statement calls us to be apprentices and ambassadors of Jesus Christ and apprentices need support… so, can I encourage you, if you are not already in a Small Group to think about joining one. “Try one and see” as it says on the card. ‘Welcoming’ got 5 mentions in the original list and turning up once to see what a group is like doesn’t commit you!
Amanda di Giovanni
Just one letter this time: M
revealing two extremes of Small Groups:
Moribund (“about to die”)
Miss if we don’t meet.
This raises the question: What if my group isn’t great? Probably most Small Group members suffer from occasional feelings of not wanting to go to group (too tired, bad/busy day today/tomorrow etc). I believe that the devil can make the days around group meetings particularly difficult, to try to stop us from going. In my experience not giving in to him and turning up almost always helps. (James 4: 7& 8 “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you”.)
However, sometimes – and for a variety of reasons – Small Groups don’t work and not only may you not want to go but you may come back feeling worse. Is this God testing you and teaching you perseverance? I don’t think so, there are times in life when he does, but I don’t believe that Small Group is one of them.
So what to do if you are not happy with your group? It may seem easier to do nothing, after all, people don’t like change, you don’t want to cause trouble or hurt anyone’s feelings and perhaps everyone else is happy.
There is a famous prayer, by Reinhold Niebuhr, “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference.”
Sometimes Small Groups need to change so please be brave and talk to someone about it: the leader, have an honest discussion in the group, speak to a coordinator. It’s the first step towards turning your group back into “miss if we don’t meet”.
Amanda di Giovanni