When you try to break the 500 or 1,000 barrier small groups become essential for several reasons:

  • 1.       People can go out the backdoor without you even knowing it.
  • Most people who worship require some level of intimacy that can’t be found in worship.
  • Pastoral care has to be given and if you don’t have small groups the church stays small enough so everyone has access to the pastor.
  • Most conversions these days happen in small groups of friends over an extended period.
  • Much of the developing of leaders comes out of the small groups.
  • Some of the church growth is from the small groups.