Recent feedback from readers of www.SmallGroups.com indicate that leaders of many churches or ministries with one or more functioning small groups would also like to see healthy small groups become more of a core ministry practice in their church. In fact, many of these same churches are in the midst of a transition to make small groups more of a central part of their ministry structure.
Making that transition requires a clear vision of where God is leading you and how He is calling you to get there. But knowing where you are going and how you are going to get there is only a part of the transition process. We only have to remember Nehemiah's wall building project or the Apostle Paul's church planting efforts to know that obstacles and threats will try and side-track transition efforts.
Nehemiah had to deal with the constant threat of attacking enemies who tried to tear down what had already been built up. (See Nehemiah 4) Likewise, when speaking of his work for the Lord, the Apostle Paul said, "I have worked harder, been put in jail more often, been whipped times without number, and faced death again and again." (2 Cor. 11:23 NLT)
Even though you may not face death daily, without question, walking with a church or ministry through a transition requires perseverance--a "long consistent push in the same direction." And this is not possible without a unified leadership team functioning under the power and direction of the Holy Spirit.
So, how can you make the transition process go as well as possible? There are some key questions that need to be discussed often with your small group and church leadership teams. And, along the way, you will need to make some courageous decisions together.
The following chart can help guide you through the key questions and decisions that you face during a transition to a small group ministry structure.