At Northeast Christian Church, where I serve as Small Groups Pastor, we have a variety of types of groups. One popular type is the neighborhood group. They are an important strategy in our plan to reach out to our community and to shepherd our people in community. I sat down and discussed neighborhood groups with one of our leaders, Katie Haller.
MM: How did you get your neighborhood group started?
KH: Originally, I had started a group with some friends from church. We did not live close to each other. The group soon fizzled. I was praying and pondering what to do next when God hit me over the head with my neighborhood! Several of us were already forming friendships, so I just asked if they would be interested in being in a Life Group together. It began with a core of 3 families (including ours). Others joined later. We already had been getting together socially, so we started with a study that was directed at getting to know who we are in Jesus.
How would you describe the community you have in your group?
The community we have in our group closely resembles the community in the New Testament. We are extended family—even closer to each other than our biological families. Ironically, when any biological family come into town, group members are right there in the mix. We take care of each other. We practice the many "daily" activities found in the New Testament. You just cannot experience all of those daily activities with people who do not live in close proximity. We also help others in need financially, in service, and in prayer.
What are some other differences or distinctives you have noticed between a neighborhood group and other types of small groups?
The word that comes to mind as a huge difference is commonality. I love how Acts 2:44 describes the early church, "All the believers were together and had everything in common." I wouldn't say we have "everything" in common, but we have a lot more than any other group I have been in. In some of the other groups in which I've been involved, about the only thing we had in common was the book we were studying and where we went to church. I've found that, generally speaking, people who live in close proximity (especially the same neighborhood) have a lot in common. The same socioeconomics, kids go to the same school, same extracurricular activities, same interests, and more.
In this day and age, time has become our adversary. I think most people would say we don't have any spare time. It only makes sense to combine what little spare time we do have with those whom you share things in common.
What would you say is more effective in your group as compared to nongeographic groups?
I'd say there are two main things that are more effective in my group:
First, obviously, proximity to each other. This, in itself, removes a huge barrier for members to attend group functions. You can just walk down the street to the meeting. You see each other on a regular basis. The group is more than just a once-a-week meeting, more than a Bible study; it is your life—living it with others who are in the same place as you.
A case in point: We had one family in our group who lived in our neighborhood—a great family. We got to witness the mom come to Christ through the work of God in our group and others in her life. They decided to move to a larger house in a more upscale neighborhood about 9 miles from us. They continued to try to make meetings. Occasionally, they would host at their home. As months passed, it was obvious it was becoming increasingly more difficult for them to come to our weekly meetings. Excuses were made. Concessions with our group were made (switching times, etc.). The bottom line was proximity. Their moving (even a small distance) put a strain on their availability to commit to our group. When they moved out of the neighborhood, the daily things we shared didn't occur as frequently.
The second effective thing we do is that we are a family group. Our kids are involved in our group. They pray with us and join us in a meal. Sometimes we have 13 kids at our weekly meetings ranging from ages 2-14. This again has removed a huge barrier to the families. For one thing, you don't have to hire a babysitter. Second, you are doing something together as a family. One family in particular dropped out of another group for those reasons. Does it get crazy at times? Yes, it does—praise God! Would we change it? No way! Our kids are one of our huge commonalities! Our kids are the ones who gripe when we miss a meeting. Our kids benefit from seeing the community and commitment. Hopefully this type of community will be the norm for them as they enter adulthood! (We do so much outside of our meetings with just the adults that it doesn't hinder us at all.)
Well then, what's less effective?
I don't know if I would call it less effective as much as a double-edged sword; we can't get away from each other even if we wanted to!
What do you do as a leader and as a group to reach out to your neighbors and your neighborhood?
We regularly invite neighbors to share in social activities. We don't necessarily do this as a "Life Group" as much as we just do it as neighbors. It's not like we say "Hey, our Life Group is hosting a 4th of July party and you are invited." It is all just relational. We serve the people in our neighborhood in many ways—prayer, food in times of crisis, taking care of kids for parents, again just natural ways.
What else does it take to lead a neighborhood group?
I believe there are several things it takes to lead an effective neighborhood group. The most important is good old hospitality! You know "my house is your house"! People in our group have what we call "refrigerator privileges" in our house. You know we're good friends by the fact that they'll walk in, open the refrigerator door, and just grab some food—without asking.
Can you expand on that a little? How is leading your group different than other groups you've led?
Leading a neighborhood group is pretty much the same as leading a nongeographic group, except that it's way easier! It really comes down to building on the natural relationships all around me. As a shepherd-leader, my responsibility is to care for and serve people in my neighborhood—again, not as their "small group leader," but as a Christian and a friend. Also, I try to shepherd the people in my group, not just in a once-a-week meeting but on a more daily basis and in more natural ways, in the normal rhythms of life.
Katie works part-time with the small groups ministry at Northeast Christian Church. If you have questions about neighborhood groups, contact her at (502) 212-5246.
