In 2005, I moved to a new congregation, and I saw what a difference expectations can make.  In my previous setting, small groups were focused on Bible study, spiritual formation, and outreach.  My new church also valued those things, but added a strong focus on fellowship.  Both churches were being blessed by small groups, but this one subtle shfit dramatically changed the nature of group meetings.  Every group has a purpose, and defining that purpose is part of a leader’s job.

Training the leaders in my new congregation has helped me define five distinct types of groups.  After I list them below, I will reflect on how a church can take advantage of this information for ministry development.

Social groups

Social groups help people get to know one another.  It is hard to imagine a community without them.  They might be a Sunday night pizza gang, a group of guys who ride motorcycles, or the quilting ladies.  The commitment level in a social group tends to be low:  if someone cannot attend this week, it is not a big deal.  Boundaries are often relaxed enough that a newcomer can join easily, but there are also social groups that are closed.  The life-cycle could be as short as one event, or it could go on for years.  To lead a social group, a leader needs to be organized, able to communicate clearly, and hospitable enough to help others have fun.

Social groups are extremely important.  They give newcomers a sense of belonging, because a guest often looks for “people like me.”  And the light-hearted fun builds bonds that encourage people to stick together through crises. 

Task groups

Task groups are exactly what they sound like:  people who pool their efforts to accomplish a project.  Whether the project is “spiritual” (a prayer group) or “less spiritual” (a sports team), task groups can draw people closer to one another and closer to God.  The task could be short-term (planning a special event), on-going (a worship planning team or eldership), or repetitive (a mowing crew or contribution counters).  Often there is a high commitment to the task but a low commitment to personal interaction, although friendships usually develop when people work together.  Men are sometimes drawn to task groups because they are goal-oriented and not “just sitting around talking.”  The ease of new people joining a task group will depend on the work – a non-member could pitch in at a workday but is far from good elder material.

A large adult Bible class could be considered a task group, with the tasks being Bible study and pastoral prayer.  Of course, most classes have elements of a social group or even a therapy group.  But the setting and size and time constraints of most adult classes make it difficult to experience intimate sharing. 

Bible Study Fellowship International (BSF) has developed thriving groups around the world by harnessing the strengths of a task group.  BSF participants gather to learn about the Bible in a structured environment; any friendships that emerge are a serendipity.  The purpose is to study scripture, so personal interaction during sessions takes a back seat. 

A leader of a task group needs to understand the task first of all.  A coach who does not understand the rules, techniques, and strategies is useless for helping athletes play to their potential.  Other valuable skills for leading a task group involve channeling members’ gifts and interests to achieve the goal, and an ability to find resources needed for the job. 

Support, recovery, and therapy groups

The third type of group is similar to task groups in that there is a focus on a goal.  It could be supporting members through a difficult circumstance (grief, parenting, living with cancer) or addressing a problem like an addiction.  Where these groups differ from task groups is that there is extensive personal sharing.  The focus is the group members and their journey toward a personal goal, rather than coordinating efforts to get a job done. 

The life span of support, therapy, and recovery groups varies.  Alcoholics Anonymous trains participants to think “I am an alcoholic,” even after years of sobriety.  With that philosophy, recovering alcoholics are encouraged to attend AA meetings indefinitely.  With a grief recovery group, though, the expectation is that participants will eventually build a new life that is not consumed with grief.  Other issues are at work if a person is paralyzed indefinitely from a loss, and counseling might be required.

Christianity offers important resources for therapy groups.  Like AA, many of them find their core principles in scripture.  Confession and unconditional love are two of the key ingredients.  Many churches have developed healthy groups that support people through a variety of situations.  While there is usually a point where someone facing a crisis needs help from a trained professional, most congregations have compassionate and gifted members who could facilitate effective groups.  People who have come through a particular struggle will often be great facilitators because they know what the problem feels like and they know how tough it is to overcome.  Video series like GriefShare and DivorceCare have been useful for churches desiring to help but lacking therapists to facilitate groups. 

Spiritual formation groups

Most churches employing small groups as a ministry tool are primarily offering spiritual formation groups.  Spiritual formation is a broad term that includes a variety of activities that build faith.  Most groups will feature pastoral prayer and discussion of scripture as centerpieces.  Beyond that, every group is unique.  Some have lessons with the kids, some do service projects, some eat meals every week, some sing, and some share confession. 

The leadership requirements for a spiritual formation group will vary with the nature of the group.  Bible knowledge is a plus, but it is more important for the leader to be an earnest disciple and a good communicator than a Bible scholar.  In rare instances, a person with little Bible background can lead an effective group by taking the approach of learner asking questions.  The leader invites the group to give one another insight to living a faithful life.  The key in spiritual formation groups is an ability to ask questions that promote discussion and that connect scripture to real situations.  Introverts often make wonderful leaders because they are careful listeners.

Spiritual formation groups can be closed, with the same people meeting together all the time.  But they tend to be healthier if they frequently add new members and multiply when they reach 18 adults.  New members add variety to the group, and the goal of inviting people calls participants to consider the needs of others.

Accountability or direction groups

The final type of group, accountability, is rare but powerful.  Accountability groups involve three to five members, usually of the same gender.  Participants give one another permission to ask pointed, personal questions.  The topic could be broad, such as one’s overall spiritual health, or it could be focused on a challenging issue like one’s spending habits or avoiding pornography.  Knowing that a friend will ask how you are doing is a motivator to do the right thing and avoid harmful behaviors. For these groups, complete confidentiality is vital; the smallest betrayal will destroy trust. 

Once an accountability group is launched, leadership is minimal because everyone shares in the process.  Accountability groups are usually closed because it takes years to build the level of trust that is required.  In A Spiritual Formation Workbook, John Bryan Smith describes how to build a group like this.  Accountability groups offer an incredible tool for helping participants focus on a goal. 

Putting the five types of group to work

1. The first four types can be outreach-oriented.  Church leaders should look for creative ways to develop groups that include non-Christians.  In a church over 400 in attendance, a newcomer needs personal invitations to Bible classes, small groups, social gatherings, and projects that fit their gifts.

2. Covenants are an important tool.  A new group needs to talk about expectations.  And then at least every six months, the leader should remind participants about the stated purpose and ask if that purpose still fits the spiritual needs of group members.

3. Every group is unique.  If a congregation has several “Life Groups,” chances are that some are mainly social and others are focused on the assigned task and still others enjoy confession like a support group.  That is a healthy sign that leaders are being creative and groups are meeting a variety of needs.

4. Not everybody needs every kind of group.  After new members have found their friends, the extraverts will seek out groups of every kind, while the introverts will look for task groups that fit their gifts.  Extraverts make a congregation fun and energetic.  Introverts make it meaningful and thoughtful. 

5. In Clear Choices for Churches, John Ellas talks about launching enough groups as one of the keys to building a healthy, growing congregation.  He encourages church leaders to count all the groups that meet every month and then to evaluate if there is room for new people to make connections.