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Our hearts were made for community. We hunger for the deep, authentic relationships Jesus had in mind when he prayed that his followers would be one. Yet in many churches, the connection we crave is lacking. How can church become a place where nobody stands alone? Through small groups. Like nothing else, they provide the kind of life-giving community that builds and empowers the body of Christ and impacts the world. At Willow Creek Community Church, small groups are so important that they define the core organizational strategy. Bill Donahue and Russ Robinson write, "We have gone from a church with small groups ...to being a church of small groups." Donahue and Robinson share revealing glimpses of Willow Creek's journey to becoming a church where over 18,000 people connect in 2,700 small groups. And they tell how your church--whatever its size and circumstances--can become a place where men and women, adults and children, can experience powerful, transforming community. Building a Church of Small Groups unpacks the vision, values, and strategies required to integrate small groups into your entire ministry. Part one presents the theological, sociological, and organizational underpinnings of small groups. You'll discover why small groups, as reflections of God's communal nature, are so vital to church health. Part two moves you from vision to practice. Here is how to develop thriving small groups based on authentic relationships, where truth and life intersect, conflict leads to growth, and skilled leaders help group members mature into fully devoted followers of Christ. Part three shows you how to identify, recruit, and train group leaders and provide them with long-term coaching and support. Finally, in part four, you'll learn how to deal with the critical process of change as your church develops its small group ministry. Written by two of today's top authorities on small group ministry, Building a Church of Small Groups is a proven blueprint for health and spiritual vitality in your church. Here is thorough, seasoned guidance for helping people grow together in faith, heart, and lives through closely knit small group communities.
Contents
Foreword . ... 7 Acknowledgments ... 9 Introduction: The Willow Creek Story . ... 11 P A R T 1 : Making the Case for Community ... 17 1. In the Beginning, God: The Theological Evidence... 21 2. Created for Community: The Sociological Evidence ... 33 3. What the Church Needs to Grow: The Organizational Evidence ... 45 P A R T 2 : Pursuing Community in Small Groups ... 53 4. Small Groups Are Built on Authentic Relationships ... 57 5. Small Groups Are Places Where Truth Meets Life... 73 6. Small Groups Experience Healthy Conflict... 89 7. Small Groups Provide Well-Balanced Shepherding... 105 P A R T 3 : Developing Leaders of Small Groups ... 121 8. Enlisting Small Group Leaders ... 123 9. Training Small Group Leaders ... 135 10 Coaching and Supporting Leaders ... 145 P A R T 4 : Leading a Church of Small Groups... 157 11. Make Decisions ... 161 12. Choose a Strategy ... 177 13. Phasing in the Small Group Ministry ... 195 Closing Words ... 207 Appendix 1: Willow Creek Small Group Facts at a Glance ... 211 Appendix 2: Kinds of Small Groups at Willow Creek... 213 Notes ... 217
