Small groups are an important part of Assembly’s DNA. This congregation started in 1974 as “the assembly of small groups.” Today they are a primary place in the congregation to be known, to feel connected, to discern congregational matters, and to participate in congregational life. Additionally, small groups serve as “the front line of pastoral care.” Most Assembly members and a majority of participants belong to one of our 20+ small groups. Each group establishes its own format, rhythm, and rituals. Groups tend to meet 2-4 times a month, 1 1/2 to 2 hours per meeting. A few groups have children present; many make it a time for adults.
I. A theology of small groups
Small groups function as a more intimate setting in which we are church to one another. To be church to one another is to build a community centered around the way of Christ; one that is committed to hospitality and to tearing down walls that divide (Ephesians 2:14-15). As a result, Christian community–whether as a worshipping body or in small groups–brings together people who wouldn’t otherwise be together. This is one distinction between the church and various clubs, cliques, and organizations which create insiders and outsiders.
II. How to join a small group
At Assembly pastors don’t assign people to small groups, but they are happy to advise and assist people. Let the pastor of small groups know of your interest and they will help guide you into a group. Some people like to visit a number of groups before joining one; others prefer a quicker route. Sometimes 2-4 persons band together to form a new group and invite others to join. All of these are ways into a group. Joining a group can happen anytime when there are groups with room to grow, but the best time is in the fall during the annual Small Group Shuffle. This is when we are particularly intentional about forming new small groups, and making space in continuing groups for new people.
III. The Shuffle: what it is, why we do it, and why sometimes we don’t
At Assembly, we encourage people to occasionally shuffle (change groups) even when their group has been an enjoyable and nurturing place. Changing small groups periodically is how we maintain a healthy small group system. Specifically, we encourage people to change groups from time to time because:
- It helps us be hospitable to newcomers by making space for them to join existing small groups;
- It helps us build relationships across a wider cross-section of the congregation; and
- It’s our best defense against ruts, cliques, and inhospitality in the congregation. We try to guard against the formation of little clubs. If a small group turns into a long-term gathering of select friends, then it has lost an important part of its mission of being church.
However, there are also good reasons for a group not to shuffle every year. The most common are:
- The group already has space to add new people.
- A group is relatively new (3 years or less). It takes time to build the kind of intimacy that allows for vulnerability and mutual support.
- There are particular circumstances, perhaps a significant pastoral care issue, that make continuity important right now.
IV. The Shuffle: how it works
The Shuffle generally consists of two parts:
1. The first part involves finding out who wants to join a group, who is ready to shuffle, and how much room there is in existing groups to add people. This information gathering phase often begins mid-August and lasts for about 4 weeks. Groups with room to add are asked to name whether they have any criteria for new member; e.g. sometimes groups have a focus (i.e. gratitude) they want new members to have interest in; sometimes groups want more children or less children; etc.
Existing small groups can contribute to the shuffle in a variety of ways:
- Some choose this time to dissolve, and help form new groups.
- Sometimes a few people from an existing group shuffle, making space for new people to join the existing group.
- Sometimes an existing group which is full divides into two smaller groups, each of which can invite new members.
- Sometimes a group or part of a group expresses willingness to shuffle if adding more people to the pool would be helpful to the larger system, but stay together if that’s not needed in a given year.
2. Once the requisite information is gathered, people looking for a group are provided with a list of all the options, and small groups are provided with a list of who is looking. Then, small groups can issue invitations, and those looking can find a group they’re interested in and join it. No try-out or interview needed. As always, anyone who wants assistance finding a group can obtain that from the pastor.
V. Resources for Small Groups
There are a variety of resources for small groups. They include:
- A list of questions for new groups to address to help them get started and avoid common pitfalls.
- A list of roles and responsibilities that Assembly small groups have in the congregation.
- A “job description” for your small group rep.
- A list of activities small groups have engaged in in the past.
- Tips for how to do pastoral care in your small group.
- How membership (a.k.a. covenanting) at Assembly works (it starts with joining a small group)
- A list of small group health check-up questions, which established groups are encouraged to discuss once a year. They help a group address areas of group life that might need attention.
- Suggestions for how a group can end well when one or more people leave a group.
- Current Small Group List