Monday, 03 November 2008
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What's the Point of Small Groups?
My church is really big on small group communities. It is absolutely the lifeline of our church and where we, as imitators of Christ, grow and learn the most within the church. I get the idea, and am completely on-board with it. I realize that since people aren't perfect, small groups won't be either, but I believe in them and am committed to the group I am in right now.
My friend, on the other hand, is having a hard time following this vision within our church. She's been with my small group longer than I have, but she still does not consider many of us friends, only acquaintances. In addition, she was recently very hurt by one of the small group members when he broke a promise to help her with something very important. In the bigger scheme of things, she knows that this incident is not such a big deal, but she is still dealing with her hurt and unable to trust him (and by association, his wife) again.
I don't blame her for feeling the way she feels, but I am concerned because after this incident, she's mentally and emotionally checked out of our group. Fortunately, she still feels she can trust me, and has often expressed her true disappointment with the group. Her question of late has been, "What's the point of small groups if we're only going to support each other on the day that we meet and never during the rest of the week?"
I know she has a servant's heart and wants to know and love God more. But she's hurt by this incident, and overall has not felt very accepted or supported by the group. I think her question is very valid, but I don't know how to answer it. What really gets to me is that I think this is exactly the reason many people turn away from the church and God. It seems that people's issues with Christianity are less about theology and practice, than they are simply about acceptance and community.
So tell me, how would you respond to her question or address her situation?
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