Building a Church of Small Groups [Hardcover]

Bill Donahue (Author), Russ Robinson (Author), Keri Wyatt Kent (Contributor)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2001

Our hearts were made for community. We hunger for the deep, authentic relationships Jesus had in mind when he prayed that his followers would be one. Yet in many churches, the connection we crave is lacking. How can church become a place where nobody stands alone? Through small groups. Like nothing else, they provide the kind of life-giving community that builds and empowers the body of Christ and impacts the world. At Willow Creek Community Church, small groups are so important that they define the core organizational strategy. Bill Donahue and Russ Robinson write, 'We have gone from a church with small groups . . . to being a church of small groups.' Donahue and Robinson share revealing glimpses of Willow Creek's journey to becoming a church where over 18,000 people connect in 2,700 small groups. And they tell how your church--whatever its size and circumstances--can become a place where men and women, adults and children, can experience powerful, transforming community. Building a Church of Small Groups unpacks the vision, values, and strategies required to integrate small groups into your entire ministry. Part one presents the theological, sociological, and organizational underpinnings of small groups. You'll discover why small groups, as reflections of God's communal nature, are so vital to church health. Part two moves you from vision to practice. Here is how to develop thriving small groups based on authentic relationships, where truth and life intersect, conflict leads to growth, and skilled leaders help group members mature into fully devoted followers of Christ. Part three shows you how to identify, recruit, and train group leaders and provide them with long-term coaching and support. Finally, in part four, you'll learn how to deal with the critical process of change as your church develops its small group ministry. Written by two of today's top authorities on small group ministry, Building a Church of Small Groups is a proven blueprint for health and spiritual vitality in your church. Here is thorough, seasoned guidance for helping people grow together in faith, heart, and lives through closely knit small group communities.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Our hearts were made for community. We hunger for the deep, authentic relationships Jesus had in mind when he prayed that his followers would be one. Yet in many churches, the connection we crave is lacking. How can church become a place where nobody stands alone?

Through small groups. Like nothing else, they provide the kind of life-giving community that builds and empowers the body of Christ and impacts the world. At Willow Creek Community Church, small groups are so important that they define the core organizational strategy. Bill Donahue and Russ Robinson write, "We have gone from a church with small groups . . . to being a church of small groups."

Donahue and Robinson share revealing glimpses of Willow Creek’s journey to becoming a church where over 18,000 people connect in 2,700 small groups. And they tell how your church--whatever its size and circumstances--can become a place where men and women, adults and children, can experience powerful, transforming community.

Building a Church of Small Groups unpacks the vision, values, and strategies required to integrate small groups into your entire ministry. Part one presents the theological, sociological, and organizational underpinnings of small groups. You’ll discover why small groups, as reflections of God’s communal nature, are so vital to church health.

Part two moves you from vision to practice. Here is how to develop thriving small groups based on authentic relationships, where truth and life intersect, conflict leads to growth, and skilled leaders help group members mature into fully devoted followers of Christ.

Part three shows you how to identify, recruit, and train group leaders and provide them with long-term coaching and support. Finally, in part four, you’ll learn how to deal with the critical process of change as your church develops its small group ministry.

Written by two of today’s top authorities on small group ministry, Building a Church of Small Groups is a proven blueprint for health and spiritual vitality in your church. Here is thorough, seasoned guidance for helping people grow together in faith, heart, and lives through closely knit small group communities.

About the Author

Dr. Bill Donahue is Executive Director of Small Group Ministries for the Willow Creek Association (WCA) and works with Willow Creek Community Church to train and develop small group leaders. The church has over 2,500 small groups and the WCA has over 12,000 member churches worldwide representing over 95 denominations in 27 countries. SPANISH BIO: Bill Donahue es director del ministerio de grupos pequenos de Willow Creek Association. Previamente se desempeno como miembro del personal de Willow Creek Community Church colaborando en la planificacion e implementacion del ministerio mundial de grupos pequenos. Reside en West Dundee, Illinois, con su esposa Gail y sus dos hijos.

Russ Robinson, formerly executive director of small groups at Willow Creek and senior pastor of Meadowbrook Church in North Haledon, New Jersey, is coauthor with Bill Donahue of The Seven Deadly Sins of Small Group Ministry. He continues to speak and write while practicing law in Hoffman Estates, Illinois. SPANISH BIO: Russ Robinson, abogado de Hoffman Estates, Illinois, fue pastor principal de Meadowbrook Church en North Haledon, Nueva Jersey. Y con anterioridad fue director de ministerios y grupos pequenos en Willow creek Community Church. Es coautor con Bill Donahue del libro titulado Building a Church of Small Groups.

Keri Wyatt Kent is the author of several books, including Oxygen, Listen, and Breathe, and is a sought-after retreat leader and speaker. She and her husband, Scot, live with their son and daughter in Illinois. Learn more about Keri's ministry at www.keriwyattkent.com.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan (October 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310240352
• ISBN-13: 978-0310240358
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #676,264 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Dr. Bill Donahue, Ph.D., is a popular conference speaker, prolific author and leadership consultant. A graduate of Princeton University, Bill also holds a Ph.D. in Adult Learning and Development from the University of North Texas. He is an adjunct faculty member at several graduate schools teaching courses in leadership and how to build effective groups and teams.

After working with P&G and PNC Corp., Bill co-founded a non-profit leadership development organization in Dallas. Later he joined the Willow Creek Association where he designed leadership strategies and resources for leaders worldwide. Contact Bill at www.drbilldonahue.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Everything you need to start a small group ministry, July 24, 2003

By 

David T. Wayne "aka The 'JollyBlogger'" (Glen Burnie, MD United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Building a Church of Small Groups (Hardcover)

In the title to this review I said that it contains everything you need to start a small group ministry. By that, I don't mean to say that this book is the last word on small groups, nor do I mean to say that it has everything you will need to maintain and grow a small group ministry.

However, for those churches that are contemplating beginning small groups in their churches, I can't think of a better resource. The authors cover all the bases. The section titles of the book are:

Part 1 - Making the Case for Community
Part 2 - Pursuing Community in Small Groups
Part 3 - Developing Leaders of Small Groups
Part 4 - Leading a Church of Small Groups

These sections provide the rationale for small groups and the basic mechanics of launching and maintaining small groups. I particularly like the practical emphasis of the book. It gives you help on building relationships, resolving conflict, and shepherding small groups. Among other things, it encourages you to have "open" groups with an "empty chair" to emphasize the outreach aspect of small group life.

It covers all aspects of leadership training - although it doesn't give you an exact curriculum it gives you a process for leadership training. The authors focus more on apprenticeship and what one could call "on the job training" for leadership development than classroom training.

The section on "Leading a Church of Small Groups" is especially helpful. You don't just decide one day to "do small groups." Launching takes time and is best done in steps, phasing in over time.

Overall, I would highly recommend this book to anyone who wants a good, thorough overview of what small groups can be and do in a church.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Developmental Principles, November 25, 2003

By 

R E Viewer (Quincy, WA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Building a Church of Small Groups (Hardcover)

The authors, Donahue and Robinson, have placed a superb community-building resource into the hands of the reader. This is not just another book about theory on the one hand or experience on the other. It is a book that provides the groundwork for a proper understanding of the implementation and growth of a community-based philosophy of ministry.

Whether or not the reader is in agreement with the Willow Creek philosophy of ministry or not this book has great value. The principles are expressed in a manner that is not context specific. In other words I can use the principles of community-building, leadership training, etc. in a variety of contexts and apply them successfully.

The authors acknowledge throughout the pages of the book that "simply copying a model is ill-fated (191)." This honest approach to small groups is what seems to be lacking in a number of similar resources. Donahue and Robinson face the readers with real-life examples displaying the diversity of methods used by churches across the nation to develop leadership and conduct small groups in accordance with biblical community.

"Building a Church of Small Groups," is an excellent resource for any pastor or lay-leader interested in understanding small group dynamics from a balanced philosophical and practical perspective.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Foundational, March 10, 2010

By 

C. Lewton "CSL" (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Building a Church of Small Groups (Hardcover)

This book is built on practical experience and gives the insight and skills to begin building the community of believers toward Christ-Jesus. Statistics show that if a new church member does not make friends in the church within three months they will leave the community.

Willowcreek has demonstrated success in developing the community of saints. This book is well written, and experience-proven. An important text for every small group leader.

-CSL