Open Multiplication or Cell Groups
Does your church have groups for every need? Do you know that when it comes to small groups, one style won’t fit everyone? As I’ve led groups over the years, I’ve identified four types of groups. If you have some of each in your church, your ministry will be more effective than with only one model. The key is to create a group based on your goals.
Open groups seem to be the most popular these days. We hear a lot about the empty chair and self-selecting groups. There is a place for such groups, but they aren’t the answer to everything.
A church needs open groups where newcomers can drop in and meet people, learn about the church, about being a Christian, or about being in a group. Sunday school classes, ongoing Bible studies, and some recovery groups fit this style. These groups require little commitment. People come and people go, but in the process, they learn and get a taste of group life.
Advantages of Open Groups
- There is always a place for a newcomer to join, regardless of the schedule or season.
- These groups are excellent places for seekers and to introduce new Christians to community and Bible study.
- They are an excellent venue for leaders with gifts of evangelism.
Disadvantages of Open Groups
- Open groups usually have less deep sharing and accountability since people are coming and going. Therefore, people may have a wonderful time, but may not grow in their faith.
Because of this, confidentiality and accountability can suffer and, at times, can create problems. - Attendance can vary since there is less commitment.
- People get frustrated when groups are divided just as they are developing close relationships.
- These groups seem to nurture shallowness as they cater to and reinforce our noncommittal lifestyles by encouraging people to drop in when they can. No commitment. They invite newcomers to join midway through the series. The seeker-sensitive, low-investment movement has been popular for at least twenty years, but an evaluation by the creators of this movement showed disappointing results. It resulted in exponential numerical growth, but not in maturity. Bill Hybels, founder of the movement at Chicago’s Willow Creek Community Church said,
We made a mistake. What we should have done when people crossed the line of faith and became Christians, we should have started telling people and teaching people that they have to take responsibility to become ‘self feeders.’ We should have gotten people, taught people, how to read their bible between services, how to do the spiritual practices much more aggressively on their own.
Read about the other types of groups
Closed Groups
Action Groups
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