A new book, Transformational Groups: Creating a New Scorecard for Groups, authored by Ed Stetzer and Eric Geiger, was released on February 1, 2014. Although there are a wide variety of books on the subject of small groups in the Christian context, theirs is important because it is based in part on actual research. Theories abound for creating effective small groups that cultivate lasting change in peoples lives, but Stetzer and Geiger do not just share what they learned from respondents; they are actually members of or leaders of small groups that exist for the distinct purpose of "more and deeper disciples making more and deeper disciples for God's glory and His mission."
This work is worth reading for a number of reasons. First, the authors provide a really good definition of transformation: "God's work deep within the believer that makes him or her genuinely like Jesus." For nutshell people like myself, this short definition is easy to remember and to the point.
Secondly, great emphasis is placed upon community. Although we live in a technological culture that more and more finds itself falling into a non-relational abyss, and when the larger gathering of God's people is for many the only time they gather, we need more than ever to be reminded that God designed life transformation to take place in meaningful relationships (transformational groups). In community, the emphasis is on being close, rather than just sitting close, where there is actual participation, not mere association. They remind readers that we should seek to "...be a church of small groups and not a church with small groups." The difference between "of" and "with" is huge! Jesus, the first century church, and dynamic churches throughout history model the use of small groups for making disciples. There is no reason to abandon this time-tested method.
Thirdly, this book provides a helpful guide for how to either move churches into small groups or to help churches with existing small groups to measure their effectiveness. Some of the authors' terminology is a little heavy at times, but they do a noble job of explaining exactly what they are trying to get across.
A fourth reason to read this book is its emphasis on people instead of programs. An entire chapter is dedicated to helping readers discover, develop, and deploy "The Right Leaders" for small groups. Another chapter offers suggestions for how to "Connect with Disconnected People." For a book birthed from research, it is telling that people are not lost in the details.
Fifthly, after having read the final chapter, titled "Imagine the Possibilities," readers will know that God cares more about their church's small group ministry than do they. But more than that, readers will know that small groups are not an end unto themself, but are rather the means to an end. In Stetzer and Geiger's words: "The end result of community must be mission."
This book will be of interest to anyone who realizes that the Christian life is about God making us more like Jesus, anyone who is part of a small group, anyone who longs for something more than a few devotional minutes with God each day or staring at the backs of peoples' heads on Sunday mornings, or anyone who is serious about "mak{ing} disciples of all nations" (Matthew 28:20).
NOTE: I received this book for free from Broadman & Holman Publishing in exchange for a review. I was under no obligation to provide a favorable review and the thoughts and words expressed are my own.
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