Healthy closure of any group experience is extremely important. It can help group members process and define their experience and positively set the stage for a new group. On the other hand, poor group closure can lead to barriers for a member's future involvement with groups.
Poor group closure can occur for a variety of reasons, including:
1. Lack of casting a vision for launching a new group, which can catch members off guard.
2. Burnout of the leader—a desire to "get things over with." This prevents the leader from honoring the positive things God has done in the group.
3. Not giving the closure process enough time. Members will need to process the situation ahead of time, and will need at least one meeting set aside for discussion, reflection, and celebration.
4. The most destructive form of group closure occurs when a group ends with unresolved conflict or, worse yet, ends because of conflict.
Healthy group closure can be categorized into five steps, and are modeled perfectly through Jesus' actions during the Last Supper.
Consolation (John 16:29–33): Groups who have formed deep bonds with one another will need to recognize a wide variety of feelings associated with the closure of the group. Members may feel joy, sadness, or a sense of loss. Those feelings may be expressed with a variety of behaviors: laughter, excitement about the future, tears, or emotional distancing. Each member should be encouraged to identify their feelings and express them appropriately. Respect for each person's feelings should be given.
Celebration (Mark 14:13–16): When bringing closure to a group experience, it is critical to celebrate God's presence and activity within the group. This can be done in a variety of ways, including a worship service designed by the group members, sharing a meal, or a party. Spend time in prayer giving thanks and expressing the positive experiences of the group and special times spent together.
Commemoration (Luke 22:19): Commemoration is a great way to acknowledge milestones or special events experienced by the group. Commemoration differs from Celebration in that something tangible exists to mark the time together and to remember the group.
Congratulation (John 17:6–10): Congratulation for group members is expressed in statements of appreciation and affirmation. Small groups are relational. Suggestions for this affirmation include:
1. Public acknowledgment of contributions to the group
2. Private written notes of appreciation
3. Sharing gifts with group members
4. Group photos to remember each other
Commission (Matthew 28:19–20): During the final meetings, it is important to chart a new course for the future. There needs to be an anticipation of the next experience of biblical community. Prayer is a great way to approach this commission (Philemon 1:9–11). Others include planning a reunion and casting a larger vision for the future.
The ending of a group may be a relational hardship, but it can be sweetened by the prospects of the ultimate reunion in heaven with our leader—Jesus Christ.
Used with permission from Smallgroups.com. Copyright © 2007, Christianity Today.
Want to learn more about starting or re-starting small groups? Check out these great training resources from BuildingSmallGroups.com:
• Re-Launching a Small-Groups Ministry: This Training Theme is designed for churches that have launched small-groups programs in the past, but are still waiting for the ministry to fully take root. It's also for churches that encountered a negative experience with small groups in the past, but want to try again.
• Small-Group Evaluations: The small groups in your church need periods of assessment and evaluation in order to properly maintain ministry health. The handouts in this Assessment Pack are designed to evaluate individual small groups as well as church-wide group ministries.
