Talking Faith | There's value in church small groups

Christianity is too great of a ride to take alone.

A significant part of the ride is to live the life with others on a personal level. And that level is more than just sitting with many others on Sunday mornings.

It's a lesson that's taken me years to learn. When it comes to going to church, I like Sunday mornings.

Being the son of a Baptist pastor, I spent thousands of them going to church with my family and worshipping with a larger group of people.

That's a good thing. Community worship does work.

But especially in larger churches, it's easy to blend in the background if you only attend Sunday morning worship. Even if you play an active role in the service, it can be hard to connect with others on a personal level.

Even if you have a leadership role in the church or are involved in ministry groups, you still need a group where you can be ministered to as well as helping others.

That's where small groups come in.

Small groups are designed to be groups of six to 12 people who meet every week or two for prayer, Bible study and fellowship. They can be casual, meeting in homes with snacks and meals.

These are more than just mid-week Sunday School services.

And it's not just about making new friends; it's about setting up support systems for each other.

My family has experienced small  groups where we've celebrated joy in life together, from hosting baby showers to community service projects to sharing grief with others.

These support systems are vital to the personal and spiritual growth and are rare to find when just attending Sunday morning services.

These groups often multiply and can lead to church growth. Even church leaders need to have a group they can be accountable to as well.

When I first heard about small groups about 15 years ago, they were seen as a fad. Even though they've gained in popularity since then, I've talked to others who don't see the point of them.

Churches would be wise to encourage small groups with its attendees. Helping nurture attendees while encouraging church growth is a win-win for all involved.

Does your church take part in small groups? What's worked with your family and what hasn't? Email me at clpugh@gannett.com and let's continue the conversation in a future column.

Chris Pugh is a web producer and a faith columnist for the Media Network of Central Ohio. You can connect with him at clpugh@gannett.com, Facebook at Chris Pugh - Journalist or on Twitter @CPugh_Gannett.