Bill Donahue
is on the staff of the Willow Creek congregation's small group's team. Willow
Creek, a mega-church in Chicago's Evanston suburb, was faced with a dilemma
a few years ago. Many members of their large congregation were failing to find
a way to truly become part of the congregation. The answer changed Willow Creek,
and they want to share what they have learned.
What they have found is that small groups are places were new people can make friends. They are places where spiritual growth can take place. They are places where people can truly experience the presence of God.
Bill Donahue is executive director of Small Group Ministries for Willow Creek, and helped develop and launch their church-wide small group ministy. He insists that an overarching vision for the congregation is very important. "Every small group ministry needs leaders who are guided by a clear vision and core values." Small groups can build on the congregation's vision and develop a vision of their own that lets them contribute. Members feel they belong, because there are part of something greater. They know they belong, because they are among friends who know them and care about them.
The Congregation's Role
The task of the congregation is to support it's small groups without getting in the way. Donahue says every congregation that is serious about having a small group ministry "needs a structure, a way to organize groups so that lasting life-on-life ministry flows throughout the church without getting tangled up in organizational chaos." That means building in maximum support with minimum bureaucracy.
There are four phases to develop a Small Group Ministry. Don't move too quickly, Donahue cautions. "Launching too many groups too soon, not planning for success, and not allowing time for the training and development of future leaders can stifle attempts at developing groups.
Phase One is Modeling. Get one or two groups going that will model the vision and values of the small groups you want, and learn from mistakes what will and what will not work in your congregation. This is a leadership training process as well.
In the Pilot Phase, leaders take on the task of guiding small groups who are willing to commit to a set number of meetings.
In the Start-Up Phase, you are still operating mostly by word of mouth to advertise the small group ministry. Potential leaders invite people with similar interests to join them. It is important that a leadership training process be firmly in place to back up these leaders.
With experienced leaders, staff coaches, and leadership development process in place, it is time to "Go Public," the fourth phase. Invite people in the congregation, newcomers, even advertise in the community. Let the light shine.
A Useful Book
Bill Donahue has written several books, and they reflect his evangelical theology. We found this workbook to be more accessible for main-line people, and contains much useful information for a congregation launching or contemplating Small Group Ministry.
Some of the topics he covers are:
Bill Donahue, Leading Life-Changing Small Groups. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2002. ISBN 0-310-24750-0 (soft cover). $25.99 CDN. Available at Revelations Book and Gift Cooperative, Edmonton Phone 780-485-8744.
Review by Clair Woodbury, Centre staff.
Congregational Life Newsletter Vol. 10 No. 3 March 2004