Jeffrey Arnold

Are you willing to catch the vision of a more vibrant parish community centered around the Person of our Lord Jesus Christ, Present in the Holy Mysteries of the Altar, and take the courageous steps it requires to make this vision become a reality?

A small group may be a pot-luck, fellowship group, a Bible study, a prayer group, a music group, a book club, a movie discussion group, a personal-growth or spiritual-interest group, or a combination of any of these. The venue can be someone's living room/dining room, a designated area at the church, an online ZOOM video conference, or even a picnic table at a park.

The website MEETUP.COM can also be used to find people who may be interested in a small group. It is important for you to exercise transparency on MEETUP in identifying that you are coming from an Orthodox Christian perspective. Make clear statements about the purpose of the group and how it will be conducted. There is a monthly fee for using MEETUP.COM and sometimes it could take several weeks or even months to find an ideal number of interested people for a small group (roughly 6 - 8 persons, give or take 2). Having a closed group is recommended since it helps to build intimacy. If someone drops out, the group could consider bringing someone else into the group.

For additional, helpful guidelines see THE SMALL GROUP LEADER'S TOOLKIT by Dave Earley.… (más)

What's so big about small groups? With proven results in drawing people into community and helping them grow to maturity in Christ, small groups have established themselves as a crucial ministry of the church to its members and its mission field. But whether leading a small group, coaching small group leaders or implementing a churchwide ministry, you need vision, knowledge and skill to minister effectively through small groups. Jeffrey Arnold knows the pressures of small group ministry, but he has also seen the power of small groups in many ministry settings. In this revised edition of The Big Book on Small Groups, he breaks down small groups so that you can see them from all angles. The first four chapters focus on the structure and benefits of a small group ministry. Further chapters explore the basics of Christian community--prayer, worship, Bible study, outreach and mission, as well as how to multiply groups. Resources for further reading, ideas for coaches and trainers, and curriculum to photocopy for small group sessions are also included. A constant companion throughout your small group ministry, The Big Book on Small Groups will give you the basics to get you going--and the support and nurture you need to make small groups effective as a strategy for outreach and discipleship.… (más)