Whether it’s Henry, Andy, Maria, or Troy, the pattern is the same: people find healing, direction, hope, and purpose—not by themselves, but in a circle of grace and truth. Rick Warren says it this way:
Christlike churches have one thing in common: they find a way to meet the needs of the people God has placed in their ministry areas. People are hungry for love, purpose, and life transformation, and I know of no better structure than a small group where this happens naturally and personally. That’s why churches must grow larger and smaller at the same time—larger through evangelism and smaller through fellowship structures.
Over the years, our styles and methods have changed to meet the changing needs of our community. But what has not changed is our gospel message of God’s grace and the universal human need for relationships. Even in the perfect Garden of Eden, God said, “It is not good for man to be alone.” Groups meet that longing for belonging.
I always tell new attenders at Saddleback, “You will not really feel connected to Saddleback until you join and participate in a small group.” Of course, people know this in a larger church, but I believe it is also true in smaller churches. It is impossible to feel truly connected to a crowd, even if that crowd is only fifty people. Crowds are great for worship, but they simply cannot provide personal attention, encouragement, prayer support, a listening ear, and accountability. I need those things. So do the people of your church. So do you.