Growing People Through Small Groups [Paperback]

David Stark (Author), Betty Veldman Wieland (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 2004

This fresh look at small groups starts with people and principles rather than program and structure. Stark and Wieland examine why many small-group ministries fall short of their goals, and they offer strategies that start with God's leading and people's needs. Straightforward, informative, and practical, this new organic system works for smaller churches as well as larger ones. Useful for lay leaders, small-group members, and pastors who want people to thrive and develop their spiritual gifts.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...both refreshing and challenging ...a must read for all church leaders interested in small group ministry." -- CBA Marketplace

About the Author

David Stark is the director of Changing Church through Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Burnsville, Minnesota. The founder and director of training for Church Innovations, he has led dozens of workshops and seminars throughout the United States and has developed masters for small groups that are used by churches from a variety of denominations. David holds an M.Div. and has published a number of resources, including the LifeKeys books, for groups. He lives in Minnesota with his wife and two sons. Betty Veldman Wieland was introduced to small groups through a women's Bible study. The experience ignited her passion for God's Word and led her to leadership positions in Christian Reformed Home Missions' small group ministry. Betty has two adult sons and she and her husband live in Michigan.

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Bethany House (July 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764229125
• ISBN-13: 978-0764229121
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,723,280 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Conflicting Information, January 16, 2008

By 

Gail C. Britt - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Growing People Through Small Groups (Paperback)

This book effectively advocates a departure from mechanistic "one fits all" model of small groups in congregations, to more relational, God-centered approaches to this ministry. However, the authors ultimate vision, to grow people to Christ yet simultaneously offer leaders the helm of the group based on their own gifts and motivations, imparts a conflicting agenda and potential strain on the group leaders.

On one hand, the authors attest that group leaders can't inspire "what they haven't lived and spiritually died to." They also assess that people should not be pushed along according to the church's agenda. Rather, the passions of the leadership of the laity to create small groups, as they are relationally connected to the talents God has already given them, is advocated. There is also a further direct connection made between the passion and talents of leaders, as they own what they create. Stark even contends,"They know how to design things better than the clergy".

He provides further evidence of the laity's potential empowerment via thought provoking questions asked of potential small group leaders by the pastor or other church staff, such as: What kind of small group would compel you to change your schedule? Who's your target audience? Which community do you want to serve? What are the desired results? What three or four outcomes do you want to achieve. The author even attests that the people should be free to form their own groups.

Yet, Stark also indicates that the primary purpose of the small groups is to grow people in their faith. To further this agenda, he says that leaders must bond with each of the group's members through relationship building, to focus on where they are in their "season of faith", and to become acutely aware of current events and wounds in the peoples lives. Yet, how does a small group team retain its viability when the empowerment of group leaders is eclipsed by the church's internal focus to grow people in their faith?

Furthermore, whether these questions surface at all depends on the style of group. A task oriented team, for example, will not typically be asked questions of a personal nature by the group leader. Personal questions are also not mandated in acquaintance making hospitality teams.

I would agree with the authors that should a potential group leader come to the pastor with an idea, there must be some boundaries in place by the church. Yet, the authors contention that the groups must always fit within the church's image ("nesting vision"),as defined by the pastor, leadership team or coach, conflicts with their own commentary throughout the book, that the Holy Spirit is solely responsible for growth among small group members and the group as a whole.

In essence, "Growing People through Small Groups" reflects that the small group leader is expected to take on the larger issues of faith development among its members, which, in effect, could substantially compromise the intended focus of the small group itself.

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally, a book that explains how discipleship happens in small groups!, January 4, 2006

By 

Shane Frazier "Pastor Shane Frazier" (Indianapolis, IN) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Growing People Through Small Groups (Paperback)

This book answers the questions and doubts that many Pastors have about having principle based small groups in their church. It's very engaging by having you answer thought-provoking questions at the end of each chapter. They have done an excellent job on explaining the best way to do small groups for such a mobile generation. I highly recommend it!

5.0 out of 5 stars A practical guide for leading a small Group ministry, January 9, 2005

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Growing People Through Small Groups (Paperback)

Co-written by the director of Changing Church through Prince of Peace Lutheran Church and a leader of Christian Reformed Home Missions, Growing People Through Small Groups is a practical guide for leading a small Group ministry that focuses upon what the people need rather than rigid programs. Delineating ideas that have been successfully put into practice for years, Growing People Through Small Groups discusses the importance of staying in touch with God's will, stages and principles that people follow for individual development, knowing when a study group is ready to be transplanted and learn on their own, the role of the leader as gardener and shepherd, and much more. Combining deep personal faith with time-tested experience and practical wisdom, Growing People Through Small Groups is a superb resource highly recommended for ministers and spiritual leaders.