Backyard to the Universe
Small Group Ministries
USING THE SMALL
GROUP MINISTRY PROCESS
The
primary way of using Small Group Ministry is engaging people in
community for enhancement of spiritual journey through ministry in a
group. As members of a congregation become involved with Small Group
Ministry through these ongoing groups, the process inherent in these
groups can be expanded in some of the ways described here. Indeed,
the Sessions section of this site gives resources for many of these
expanding uses of the Small Group Ministry as a process.
One
of the evolving dynamics is focusing Small Group Ministry. This means
that the session was developed with a specific focus, as noted in the
Directory and described here. However, session plans can be used by
any group, and groups should consider using any of the session plans
listed.
General
focus
applies to topics that are of interest in the ongoing groups. These
topics include a range of spiritual and life issues, as well as
celebrations throughout the year.
Congregation
indicates a focus on topics that relate to individual spiritual life
as well as to the life in the congregation. Some relate to
involvement with specific congregational activities, such as Social
Action and Welcoming Congregation. Other topics relate more to
ongoing congregational life, including leadership and general issues.
These session plans may be used by any of the ongoing groups or with
groups specifically designed to consider a topic. Likewise, topics
that relate to leadership can be used in such venues as
congregational or leadership retreats.
Religious
Education
is a specific focus from several perspectives. One is general
curriculum, and there are links from the directory to curricula on
this site that are patterned after the small group ministry format.
However, the session plans here are more for use of the Religious
Education Committee and in teacher development. The suggestion is to
take a designated part of a meeting for the session and handle the
logistics that are part of the meeting agenda separately. For
example, taking time for a session on “Feeling Safe” and
contributing to a safe environment brings the discussion around safe
congregation policies to a depth beyond the requirements for ‘two
adults with children and windows in doors’.
There
are some age
focused
session plans, such as youth. It is anticipated that other specific
age groupings will be added, including elders.
There
are some specific
groups
that are noted, such as ministers. These sessions are used in
meetings of these groups.
In
all of these uses of Small Group Ministry, the underlying principles
must be preserved:
- Small groups – allow space to welcome others, but keep the groups to the a maximum of 8-10 participants, including the facilitator.
- Focus on ministry, or the caring and sharing—focus on engagement and stories rather than information.
- The methodology is dialog rather than discussion—expect to share and expect to ‘learn’ from others. Notes or reports are not generated from session. When addressing the topic that requires decisions, do this after the small group ministry session.
Small
Group Ministry is a dynamic process that enriches our lives, our
congregations and out denomination at a variety of levels. We have
not even begun to realize its impact on Unitarian Universalism.