Small Christian Communities
Small Christian community may mean different things to different people, but participation in some form of small community is becoming an increasingly meaningful for people to participate in parish life.
In past years, churches hoped to grow simply by bringing people in the front door. Investment in warm welcome and quality worship is certainly essential. Still, many churches are finding that people who enter the front door can easily drift unnoticed out the back door. Involvement in small faith-sharing groups is proving to be among the most effective ways for parishes to close the back door and encourage spiritual growth which in turn leads to a vibrant parish.
Size counts! Increasing numbers of people are finding themselves part of large congregations. In 2011, Kevin D. Dougherty and Andrew L. Whitehead published a report entitled "A Place to Belong: Small Group Involvement in Religious Congregations" on the positive value of small group involvement in churches. Their conclusions:
Brother Robert Moriarty who directs small group development in the Archdiocese of Hartford, challenges our preconceptions about small groups when he observes that perhaps the task of a parish is not to require all parishioners to attend additional prayer meetings each week.
It is less important that the discussion be explicitly religious and more important that people take the time to honor the lives of one another. Most groups can do it in less than ten minutes.
Parishes recognize that people have their days filled with rich spiritual experiences. We need only invest the time to call to mind these events and consider the precious insights contained within them. Growing in faith requires intentional reflection and sharing. Small Christian Communities provide the opportunity and tools to discover and share these great treasures of our lives.
In past years, churches hoped to grow simply by bringing people in the front door. Investment in warm welcome and quality worship is certainly essential. Still, many churches are finding that people who enter the front door can easily drift unnoticed out the back door. Involvement in small faith-sharing groups is proving to be among the most effective ways for parishes to close the back door and encourage spiritual growth which in turn leads to a vibrant parish.
Size counts! Increasing numbers of people are finding themselves part of large congregations. In 2011, Kevin D. Dougherty and Andrew L. Whitehead published a report entitled "A Place to Belong: Small Group Involvement in Religious Congregations" on the positive value of small group involvement in churches. Their conclusions:
- the larger the congregation, the less likely that a person within that congregation will feel that they belong and the less likely that that person will contribute financially
- individuals involved in small groups (bible study, prayer or discussion) have higher levels of commitment and participation than those who do not participate in a small group
- members of small groups have a greater sense belonging and attend worship more frequently and contribute a higher percentage of their income to the church
- there are leaders in large congregations that suggest a positive impact from small groups on their regular weekend worship attendance
Brother Robert Moriarty who directs small group development in the Archdiocese of Hartford, challenges our preconceptions about small groups when he observes that perhaps the task of a parish is not to require all parishioners to attend additional prayer meetings each week.
- It may be enough to build one or two minutes of quiet and reflection into the existing activities.
- It may be enough to start group meetings with the question: What did you have to go through in the last 90 minutes to get here today?
- It may be enough to just allow each other to be human together for a few moments before we get to it. It may be enough to ask families to pause once in each week of Advent to consider the question: Beyond the obvious gifts, what else do we want for the family this Christmas?
- It may be enough to ask the sport coaches at the parish school to invite a discussion once at the beginning and once at the end of the season of the question: Beyond winning and losing, what does it mean to be on a team?
- Perhaps the choir can ponder one line of each song that is practiced for Mass each week.
- Or maybe it would be valuable to ask members of parish ministries to periodically discuss when their ministry was most rewarding and why that happened.
- Ask those in the buildings and grounds committee to answer: What has happened in this building that has meant something to you?
It is less important that the discussion be explicitly religious and more important that people take the time to honor the lives of one another. Most groups can do it in less than ten minutes.
- Invite those present to take just 30-45 seconds of quiet
- Ponder a focus question for 60 seconds (e.g. How have I been affected by my activity with this group? or How have I encountered God while doing this activity?
- Share for two or three minutes in groups of 2 or 3
- Read one line from the Gospel of the upcoming Sunday
- Take 30 seconds to consider what that says to you right here and now
Parishes recognize that people have their days filled with rich spiritual experiences. We need only invest the time to call to mind these events and consider the precious insights contained within them. Growing in faith requires intentional reflection and sharing. Small Christian Communities provide the opportunity and tools to discover and share these great treasures of our lives.
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Print Resources
- Dawson, Gerrit Scott; Adele J. Gonzalez E.; Glenn Hinson, Rueben P.; et. al. Companions in Christ: A Small Group Experience in Spiritual Formation. Nashville, TN: Upper Room Publ. 2006.
Kleissler, Thomas A.; LeBert, Margo A.; McGuinness, Mary C. Small Christian Communities: A Vision of Hope for the 21st Century. New York: Paulist Press, 1997 Osborne, Larry. Sticky Church. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan 2008.
Rolheiser, OMI, Ronald. Longing for the Holy: Spirituality for Everyday Life, Plainfield, NJ: Renew International, 2009.
Reese, Martha Grace. Unbinding the Heart. Danvers, MA: Gracenet, 2008.
Roberto, John. Living Well: Christian Practices for Everyday Life. Naugatuck, CT: Lifelong Faith Associates, 2010.
Mineart, Paula, Editor. Living the Eucharist. Washington, DC: Paulist Evangelization Ministries, 2011.
Web Resources
Quest
North American Forum on Small Christian Communities
Renew International
Paulist Evangelization Ministries
Awakening Faith
Alpha
Catholicism 201
JustFAITH Engaging Spirituality
North American Forum on Small Christian Communities
Renew International
Paulist Evangelization Ministries
Awakening Faith
Alpha
Catholicism 201
JustFAITH Engaging Spirituality
small church groups, prayer groups, bible study, evangelization, new evangelization, parish, Catholic, renewal, innovation, pastoral planning, faith formation, young adults, Millennials, Mosaics