What is an "Open Group?"

Over the past several days, I've had several conversations about the differences between "open" and "closed" groups. In prior posts I mentioned that there are three basic factors that cause groups to close: space, subject content and attitude. It might be helpful for our conversation to pause and define open and closed groups before looking at the next two "closers".

Some have defined these groups based on commitment... Those definitions might sound like this:

An open group is one in which people are allowed to come and go in the group as they desire with no commitment for regular attendance.

A closed group is one in which the people make a time commitment to attend all meeting and no additional people are allowed in the group once it is formed for a specific period of time (like 6 months) or until the group size decreases to a certain minimum number like 8.While the commitment expectations are a part, I believe that the purpose of the group is a better measure for whether a group is open or closed.

"An Open Group"

* Meets for Bible Study, fellowship, encouragement, prayer, etc... (usually weekly and on-going)
* Can be joined or visited by any prospect at any point along the way.
* Is intentional in reaching and assimilating others.
* Equips members for the ultimate aim of sending them out for service in ministry.
* Expects new people each week (that means that it is prepared for new people...not necessarily that there ARE new people every week, but the EXPECTATION and PREPARATION are there!)

"A Closed Group"

* Meets for discipleship, support, or spiritual development. (varies in frequency of meeting and is usually marked by a definitive end date)
* Cannot be joined or visited by any prospect at any point along the way.
* Is intentional in initial recruiting but is closed off to additional assimilation
* Equips members for the ultimate aim of sending them out for service in ministry.

If your purpose is to improve personal or spiritual growth prayer or bible study group or a share group, then the closed group is probably the best for most people. These groups must build trust and respect and love to the point that participants feel they can speak in the group with no reservations. In other words, trust and respect are needed for “deep” sharing and vulnerability.

If your main purpose is a study group, a book review group, a learning group, etc., then an open group may work just as well as a closed group. The trust and respect and vulnerability in such groups may not need to be at a deep level to accomplish the purpose.

If evangelism is your purpose, then open groups must be the model! Successful Sunday Schools operate on this principle. Make sure that your class is open to newcomers and that there is an expectation of guests. (We'll talk about preparing for guests in a later post)

Unfortunately, many Sunday School classes have lost sight of their purpose (fulfilling the Great Commission) and have become "Closed Groups". Closed Groups definitely have a role in spiritual development.

A closed group might look like this... Leading a group through an intense twelve- week Bible Study. Participants must sign up, attend every session, and complete assignments. There is accountability and structure.

At Longview Heights we utilize closed Groups to help our members maximize their spiritual growth. We have a track of discipleship classes called Fusion and a variety of men's and women's studies, but the backbone of our evangelism, assimilation, fellowship, and ministry is through our tried and true open groups called Sunday School!

Gimme Some Space!

Today, I want to address the first of three factors that cause a group to be "closed". Today's factor: SPACE!

Twenty Years ago, Dr. Kenneth Hemphill wrote about barriers to church growth in a book entitled, "The Bonsai Theory of Church Growth" (A twentieth anniversary edition now available).

Hemphill drew conclusions on church growth by using the analogy of various methods used to keep bonsai plants small and the artificial barriers that inhibit churches from growing.

One of the prime assertions of the bonsai theory is that there are factors that can intentionally inhibit the growth of a bonsai tree. Space is one of those factors. Cramped pot size limits the tree's growth... In the case of a bonsai tree, this is intentional.

However, the same can be said for Sunday School classes. Cramped spaces limit the growth of a class. When a class reaches a certain point (some have said 80% seating capacity) then growth stops.

When a guest walks into a room that is full...then they feel unwelcomed! Without saying a word it says to guests... we are content with those who are already here.

Interestingly... the converse is also true. If a room is set up for 30 and there are only 6 in it, then guests might have a tendency to look and say, "something's wrong here!"

Recommendations:

• Make sure that you are maximizing the space in your Sunday School classroom! Set the room to be conducive to new people. As a general rule of thumb, it is recommended that a class has 20-25% "overage" in empty seats... Simply put - a class of 10-12 should have 12-15 chairs. This lets a guest know that there is a place for them!
  
  
• Change up the arrangement of the room on occasion! Experiment with optimal room design.
  
  
• Take away the excess! If you have a smaller class that has lots of extra chairs. Take some of them up! Fold them and stack them neatly in the corner. Establish the fact that you are aware of the needs of your class and are prepared for them!

Tomorrow, we'll talk about subject content and the danger of closing your group simply by the topic of study!

Expecting New People...every week

I had the opportunity to attend a training conference this weekend at Kirby Woods Baptist Church... It was sponsored by LifeWay Christian Resources. Very informative discussions about Sunday School ministry in the local church.

One of the most significant teachings that we dealt with was the two basic kinds of groups.

Bruce Raley, Director of Leadership Ministry at LifeWay, suggested that there are two basic distinctions between groups: OPEN groups and CLOSED groups.

For the next few days, I want to talk about these distinctions. I'll start out today by asking a simple question. What closes a group?

What causes a Sunday School class or a small group to be closed off to guests or new members?

1) Space

2) Subject Content

3) Attitude

I'll address each of these three individually in subsequent posts. For now, I encourage you to think about YOUR Sunday School class! Is it open to outsiders? Can someone walk in and feel welcomed? I look forward to unpacking these thoughts with you over the next couple of weeks!