THE VALUE OF SMALL GROUPS!

I believe in a warm and loving environment you have the best situation to learn and grow. First century Christians met in homes. There were no church buildings as such. There in the warmth of a home by open fire in winter, Christians would sing and pray and worship together. All could talk and express their feelings and worries. They were a family. Today with our modern "church buildings" we have created a formality that In turn has caused us to lose that family togetherness of the first century Christians. I believe we can do a lot to create the family atmosphere in our "church buildings" but it shall never be like the small informal gatherings of the home.
It is easy in the "church buildings" church philosophy to create a formality and coldness that isolates all. One can come and go and not even be talked to and or remembered that one was even there. In silence most will sit unable to ever share their struggles and pain. Enormous talent that could be used for the Lord and His great work is held in silence as an often elitism and professionalism takes over the worship and work of the church.

I have seen some congregations have on Sunday nights small gatherings in the homes rather than the formal service at the building. Others cry out against this as SIN and rebellion to Almighty God. A few have assigned all to hell fire who dare operate this way. Astounding! Seeing how this is exactly how the early church started. Such congregations still have the church building and gathering of all on Sunday morning and usually Wednesday nights. But, on Sunday night they have chosen the warmth and closeness of small groups meeting in homes to learn and grow. In fact studies show that it is much easier to get friends and associates to visit with you for a Bible study in your home than at the "church building". Thus, small gatherings in the home provide a great opportunity for evangelism and saving of souls. Is the church against saving souls and outreach? Are we so tied to our "buildings" that we prefer to lose souls and opportunity to save than to dare leave the confines of our "buildings"? I see nothing wrong with this and no violation of the sacred Scriptures. Those that condemn such are guilty of being Pharisees and making laws out of their opinions and binding them on the saints. Shame on them.

Why would anyone be opposed to this? Some elderships will be opposed to this for fear they will lose their power and control over the body. They have an unscriptural concept of the eldership rooted in an authoritarian approach rather than a shepherding approach. Preachers sometimes oppose this for fear they will lose the opportunity to make all listen to them on Sunday night and thus some of their power, control and influence is lost. Shameful. Our primary concern is for the souls of men and their growth in the Kingdom.
 
National research shows again and again that Sunday night services are dying as attendance continues to decline. A new generation is moving to take the reins of the church and no doubt will examine Sunday evening more closely with an eye for change. Many will look at the small groups in homes and find it appealing more and more.
 
Many resist all change and affirm any change is sin. They say they are for an openness in methods and such but when given a suggestion they retreat back to the comfort of their solid traditions and will never yield or change in anything. Some would prefer to die and cease to exist as a church rather than to change one single thing about the life of the congregation. Shameful!
I have heard Matthew 6:33 quoted again and again. Maybe it is time we really practice such in how we view the church in its worship and work. If we really want to put the Kingdom of God first in our lives then let us consider all good methods and ideas that might help to advance such.
To God be the Glory!

* Allen Ashlock, 2014