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| Small group SPLIT!!! |
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Well, last night's small group meeting certainly was interesting... We actually came together to dig into our brand new study, but when the dust had settled and everyone had departed our house at the end of the night, we were no longer one group but TWO!! It's hard to believe I'm actually writing this!
Odd thing is, Laura and I had been praying about this for 4-6 months now, and we even planted a seed in the minds of our church's newest small group facilitator way back around August. So it was really rather amazing to watch everything unfold last evening. I believe we had a front row seat for seeing God's hand in action!
This isn't our group's first split. The first time we split (in Sept '04), our group wasn't quite prepared emotionally, or perhaps we just weren't spiritually primed? Everyone in our group was close at that time, the relationships were perfect. Then our group leader announced his desire to grow the ministry, and we hesitantly nudged open our doors to several new families at a special "exploratory meeting". Going into that meeting we had no plan for how the new groups would be constituted, where they would meet, or even who would lead them! Afterwards, we felt emotionally "raw". There was even a sense of buyer's remorse ("did we just do what I think we did" and "wow, can't go back now!").
THIS time, however, everything was totally different. Don't get me wrong, our small group enjoyed some of the closest relationships of any small group in our church! Our "core" has been together since that last split. We had the ideal small group!! Humanly speaking, NOBODY wanted to break the group up. But, we had grown to a rather large size (8 families) and it seems everyone was prepared to carry out the Lord's purposes for us, rather than cling to what felt comfortable.
So back to my front row seat. It was truly amazing! I had been praying for months about how to initiate a conversation about splitting, how to motivate people to accept the unthinkable. Then last evening it just sort of happened!! We went from talking about having someone else host to suggesting an eventual split, to recognizing the fact that it was the Lord's will that we split now!
Christians often pray for God to illuminate his will. Well let me tell you, when he finally does so, in his timing, it's a wonderful thing to behold, and even more amazing to be a part of it!!
So we split. No hard feelings either. In fact, if you can believe it, we are actually all pretty excited about splitting THIS time! Our eyes are on the Lord and what he has in store for our new groups. Believe me, that makes ALL the difference!!
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Denise |
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January 24, 2008 at 4:44am |
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Our eyes are on the Lord
You are right Mike that makes all the difference. Blessings to you |
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| Isn't it wonderful how your first experience set the backdrop against which you could compare this split? I'm sure you feel more equipped, both spiritually and emotionally, to go separate ways with some of your closest friends. It's a sure sign of maturity, and an indication that God will do something great with you guys. Be blessed. |
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| God bless your groups Mike, Stu. |
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| I love when the Lord enlarges our circles. Each group now has room for more people!! That is what this walk is all about--people. That's where our Lord's heart is--people. What an exciting time! |
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OUTSTANDING Mike 
I know just what you mean, I miss my Group but I still have a long distance relationship with them. Our God is always on time
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| It is wonderful thing to watch God do ---God things! It always amazes me! He really knows how and when ---all we have to do is follow. (Have I read that somewhere before? lol) |
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Jenily |
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January 24, 2008 at 5:50am |
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what a blessing! I know what you mean! Time to grow! |
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| Good stuff mike! Sometime a split is needed for further growth! |
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| What a wonderful testimony Mike...thanks for sharing...how great to see God working in hearts to prepare the group for the coming change... |
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| Awesome. Stuff is always smoother in God's timing. ;) |
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Glenn |
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January 24, 2008 at 9:57am |
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Amen, God's timing is always the best timing. What a wonderful thing when God orchestrates growth, in our lives, families, small groups, and churches. Lets all join with Mike and Praise our God.
peace |
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| That's the way to grow sustainable ministries. We have to be willing to branch off to allow others to experience the same depthness and authenticity in relationships. It's never an easy transition, but it works out perfectly in the long run. Thanks for sharing Mike. |
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Deb |
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January 24, 2008 at 12:02pm |
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| Our small group split a little over a year ago, and I had a hard time with it at first. But now, I realize the change was for the best. I am glad things worked out so easily for you this time around. |
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Gene |
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January 24, 2008 at 6:08pm |
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Its a time when division means multiplication.
Bless your mess!
It's inspiring. |
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Tracy |
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January 24, 2008 at 8:00pm |
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Mike,
Thanks for writing this! Certainly, unexpected but inspiring all the same. It is always a difficult decision whether to split or not to split. Either way, we are blessed. But, the ultimate question is not whether we will be blessed but whether we will be blessed MORE by staying together or by growing (not dividing or even splitting). The fact is that we could have probably all stayed a LARGE small group....forever. But , is that what the Lord really wants for us? Does He want us to be confined, limited or even COMFORTABLE?? Perhaps, the most uncomfortable of feelings is not whether to split but who is going to act out in faith, even in our fear, about who will assume leadership. One of us had to answer the question "Oh, my gosh...I actually have to lead something for the cause of Christ?" Groundbreaking! But, as we saw, the Lord was working... With or without us! I must say that our small group has been extraordinary, to say the least. Each of you have blessed our lives in ways you will never know. You have opened eyes, doors and hearts that have been closed and hardened for a very long time. This does not mean that the work is done, nor that there are not further doors to be opened and hearts to be softened and grown in the Lord in our new separateness. It just means that our continuity and cohesiveness has accomplished alot. So, go forth and continue to shake things up, ask the hard, penetrating questions, be real and encourage other Christians that are struggling just as much was we have. We love you both dearly and will miss our weekly interludes of fun, laughter and prayer. |
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Cheryl |
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January 24, 2008 at 8:40pm |
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| God is so good to us! |
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I only regret that I have but one star to give this post.
Small groups A.K.A cell groups are great. In my home church they seem to have replaced Sunday school. learning how to follow the Lord's leading is always interesting. It always amazes me that God is interested in all the details of our lives. He's in charge of the universe and all.
Personally I can't even get a return call from the fella in charge of the parks department.
Oops I was just gonna say I like this post. |
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Dave, are you saying your cell group meets in a park? (lol)
Tracy, what a pleasant surprise!! Did not know that you read these things! (Others: in case you hadn't guessed, Tracy and her dear husband are in the new group that split off from ours.) Tracy - I don't know if you'll be back to read this - I'll find a way to tell you at some point, regardless - but I want to thank you for sticking with me from the start as I learned how to lead a small group! I am proof that when God calls someone to leadership, experience or expertise is not always required! The only prerequisite seems to be a heart of devotion to God -- which by HIS GRACE I can claim to have.... God bless you my dear friend!!
I wish that I had time to answer every other comment individually, but it's just not there now. So to all who read and comment, my sincerest thanks. I owe a debt of gratitude!!! |
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Wow.. splitting like that i seek God bless Mike n Laura! |
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| Meeting in the park would be cool, or maybe at a bar. We need to take it to the streets don't ya think??? |
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| Well, yes Dave. Take the Gospel to the streets, for sure! But at the same time, be holy! :-) |
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| Going with the flow, His flow.........a wonderful thing to behold ! |
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praiZe |
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January 26, 2008 at 10:35pm |
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I just recently joined a cell group Church! Unfortunately, I've not been able to attend the group meetings because I live in a rural area of Michigan, however The Sunday Cellabration is Off the Chain, vibrant, and Full of God's Spirit! I love it!
If your group's splitting is God's will so be it, I love to hear when God moves in HIS PERFECT TIMING!
praiZe |
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| Thanks praiZe! I sincerely hope you get to participate in small groups at your church...I see them as almost a necessity for victorious Christian living!! It's difficult to learn the self-discipline of submission to one another (Eph 5:21) when we aren't involved in growing relationships w/other Christians. It's incredibly rewarding spiritually! |
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| I used to attend a church where small home groups were very much encouraged. I visited different groups to see which one was my fit and I found that the biggest group (that kept splitting and growing again) was one where people shared their real issues and prayer was taken very seriously. Even when that group had splits, there was still a strong fellowship and unity and the groups would get together at holidays and stuff. I see a lot of churches doing the small groups thing and am looking forward to getting involved in one in the congregation I just started attending. God bless. |
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Tracy |
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January 28, 2008 at 3:51pm |
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| Thanks, Mike. Leading a small group is not easy but you managed to make your way through quite well. Its always a growing process and you will continue to grow into a stronger small group leader. Even in our new separateness, I will still view our group as one cohesive whole because at the end of the day, we are all still one family. And, yes I do read some (not all) of your blogs and try to comment if I feel I have something worth saying. I obviously cannot possibly read all of your blogs and comments, as that would be a FULL TIME JOB!!! So, dear friend, keep fighting the good fight for Christ. You are an excellent, strong voice for Him. We love you, Brother!! |
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Hi Mike Its a long time since I had the chance to comment on your writings. Group Splitting is nothing but cell division which means growth. Many people dont like to split. In our group when we wanted to grow, some members objected. They dont understand one day they have to be a leader in a new group. One guy even refused to attend the group because he said there is a rival group. As you said it takes a lot of courage and spiritual maturity to split. Group split is growth in the Kingdom. Keep growing my brother in christ and may the Lord help you grow more. |
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Ragland, it is so good to hear from you! Yes it's been a while. I hope your ministry is going well!
Splitting a group is exciting when seen from God's point of view, but it definitely takes time and maturity to get to that place. Thanks for commenting, my friend from the Indian subcontinent!! ~mike |
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| Don't lose hope Mike. I mean, what would have happened to I Love Lucy if Lucy and Desi decided to split up? What would have become of all the beautiful music if Sonny and Cher, and Lisa Marie and Michael Jackson would decide to throw in the towel and split up? If these 3 wonderful couples can hang in there then so can your small group. Don't give up--we're pulling for you!!!! |
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| Split and multiply / multiply by dividing. May God richly bless both new groups. |
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Candice |
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February 14, 2008 at 8:06am |
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Wow... that couple that decided to facilitate and host the "new" part of your small group must be truly amazing!!! ;)
Seriously, you were/are a great mentor and we learned a lot from you. My prayers have been and always will be that our groups grow and grow and never stop...
xo |
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| Candice, I'm humbled to know you feel that way. Really the only thing I did was sit in that chair and offer myself to God, then try not to get in his way. Our best meetings were the ones in which I was barely heard from!!! I am confident the Spirit will work effectively through you and Mark likewise!! |
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Tracy |
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February 14, 2008 at 8:42pm |
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Ditto, Candi....hmmm, who might you be talking about, I wonder??
I agree with what you said a while back...God is going to do great things this year, for all of us
Everyone has been such a blessing to us and is growing us, even when we are so utterly defiant!!
We love you all very much.
And Mike, keep on listening, keep on growing, keep on being that loving representative of Christ. You guys rock!! |
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