Why We Do Small Groups at Washington Cathedral

Hello everyone! I would like to share a brief story with you regarding the Small Group ministry. Last week I received what looked like a typical request for a small group referral. Someone had filled out a green card. It read, “Please contact me about Adult Small Groups (TLC’s).” Simple. Routine. I sent an email to the address provided and asked what the person was looking for. I got the following response:

“My main need right now is emotional support to gain strength for my marriage. My husband just told me he wants a divorce. June would have been 24 years and I’m crushed. … I’m attempting to reconnect with him and will know better after that time if counseling is something we can seek in the future. If not, a group to meet women going through similar situations?”

Suddenly the request was no longer simple or routine. It felt urgent. I wanted this woman to have all the support she needed right then. And I was instantly reminded of why we do small groups at Washington Cathedral - because small groups fill a deep and distinctly human need for community, for the opportunity to serve and be served, and for the supportive environment we all need in order to discover and grow in the abundant life of Christ. Not all of the requests we get for a small group connection indicate a time of crisis for the individual, but they do all indicate a need of some kind, most often for Christian growth and fellowship.

I was incredibly thankful to have a small group to refer the lady to last week. But that is not always the case. The problem is that our current system is not able to keep up with the demand. For example, Pastor Jackie has identified eleven families who have junior high kids and are not currently in a small group. We do not, however, have a group to send them to at this time! In addition, we expect the need for small groups to grow with the impending completion of the new building.

In order to meet this need, we have two challenges ahead of us: 1) to create a greater number and variety of small groups, and 2) placement of people into the appropriate group.

With the Lord’s help, we are making progress in launching new groups. We still need many more and your involvement in identifying emerging leaders has been great. Thank you and keep the ideas coming!

Regarding placing people into small groups, we find that frequently people are reticent to come forward and ask for a small group placement - they’re shy, they’re not sure if they have the time, they don’t know what it will be like, they don’t know if they’ll fit in, etc. So by the time they get their nerve up to ask, we want to be sure to respond quickly, and with an appropriate suggestion. In order to help with this process, we are currently working on an “at-a-glance” information page for each group that will help us to better know and serve the small group community at Washington Cathedral. It will have fits and starts, but please bear with us as we move to get all of this information in one place.

Meanwhile, you can help in the following ways!

1) Pray diligently for the health of the small group ministry at Washington Cathedral.
2) Continue to do the wonderful work you do in your small group.
3) Mark your calendars and plan to attend the Small Group Leadership Conference on Saturday, September 29th. Note – This is not one of the Small Group Seminars of yore! Whether your group is old or new, this is your event. Please plan to come!
4) Stay connected. Please check and respond to your email regularly. We may need a response from you in order to know if someone would fit into your group! Or, you can always call Bill and Elaine at (425)898-8190.
5) If you would like to comment, you know the routine! - click on the tiny "Comments" beside my name at the end of this post. Your comments are always encouraging and educational!