Building a Church of Small Groups: A Place Where Nobody Stands Alone

by Bill Donahue, Russ Robinson

Church Should Be the Last Place Where Anyone Stands Alone Our hearts were made for deep, authentic relationships. For community. And like nothing else, small groups 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. Willow Creek has gone from being a church with small groups to being a church of small groups. Sharing insights from that transition, its two chief architects tell how your church---whatever its size and circumstances---can become a place where people of all ages can experience powerful, transforming community. Part one presents the theological, sociological, and organizational underpinnings of small groups. You'll discover why they are so vital to church health. Part two moves you from vision to practice. Part three shows you how to identify, recruit, train, and support group leaders. And part four helps you deal with the critical process of change as your church develops its small group ministry. 'Bill Donahue and Russ Robinson have not just thought and read and talked about community. They have rolled up their sleeves and devoted their vocational lives to figuring out how to actually help make it happen with real-life people in a real-life church.' ---John Ortberg, author, If You Want to Walk on Water, Get Out of the Boat

Genres: Christian, Church

224 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2001

About the author

Bill Donahue is an associate professor at Trinity International University and a popular conference speaker. The author of more than a dozen books with sales over 550,000 copies, he is former director of leadership development and group life for the Willow Creek Community Church and Association. He lives in Illinois.

Reviews

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book because it focuses on principles and concepts. It doesn't take a one-size or one-model fits all approach to small groups. Rather, it examines the purpose for small groups and those factors must effect successful implementation of small groups. It's a useful guide in thinking about the what and why of small groups.

[Brett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Building a Church of Small Groups lays a biblical and sociological foundation for Christian community as expressed in small group ministry. Through story and illustration, Donahue and Robinson paint a lucid picture of the values of community and the inner-workings of small group life. Moreover, the practical advice concerning conflict management and shepherding is especially invaluable. Good overview A-

[David Hardin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some really good stuff in here, but at 15 years old it feels dated. I also wonder how it relates with their big "reveal" from a few years later.