IRVING HARRIS
Editor Emeritus, Faith at Work Magazine

Christian groups are for people who see faith as an unfolding way of life---changing, deepening, developing---and for those who want to discover spiritual reality but are still groping---and for all who are ready to apply personal religious experience to wider social and political activities.

Far more likely in a group than in public worship, an inquirer will find a handle to take hold of---the backslider a place to begin again. The central purpose of fellowship is to discover skill in passing faith on to others: how to witness in words as well as by example, and how to relate discoveries in faith to the problems of home and occupation. To see, to pray, to grow, to share, to apply---these are the verbs at the heart of Christian groups.

Discussion groups have a different focus. If the aim of a meeting is only to stimulate the mind, then, as once happened in a seminary group, the agonizing question, "What must I do to be saved?" may be answered not with words like those given by the Apostle Paul to his jailor (Acts 16:30 and 31) but with a clever rejoinder such as, "That's an interesting question. What do you think?"

Similarly the techniques of "group dynamics," helpful as they may be, fail if they do not lead to a fresh commitment to God and the application of Christian principles to daily life. We are not primarily interested in "good meetings" and lively verbal exchange, but in receiving a richer portion of life itself which, in turn, we can communicate.

Even a group in which conversions take place and individuals find it possible to express what God has done for them---even such a group falls short of the mark unless it forms an organic part of the Body of Christ, an ally of worship and an arm of the Church. Groups per se are not an answer nor an end in themselves. God's love and life are the heart's deepest desire and the need of the Church and the world.

What does it take to get started? Some initial faith and personal conviction, a willingness to experiment and to take initiative, and an openness with at least one or two others about one's needs and hopes.

A frustrated young clergyman, conscious of sin and failure in his own life, found the senior minister of his church busy, so he asked the building superintendent to hear his confession and pray with him for forgiveness. These two men knew each other only superficially, but they had a common love for Jesus Christ and the Church. The sexton agreed to the request on condition that he also be given the chance to make his confession.

When the two men got off their knees they found themselves brothers, and they agreed to meet together again soon to renew the experience. They quickly thought of others in the parish who needed the cleansing and the benediction which God had given them, and then and there a Christian group was born.

One group I know began with a coffeepot. A family wanted to invite a friend to call but lacked the resources and the strength to provide a big dinner, so they asked him just for coffee. Such a good time resulted that they repeated the invitation to other friends and finally chose a night when the coffeepot was always "perking" and anyone was welcome. The life in this growing company later led to larger monthly meetings in a church hall where non-Christians were invited to learn about a "faith that works."

Jesus Himself set the pattern. Have you ever thought how central in His work was His association with a few close friends? He healed individuals and preached to crowds, but He lived with Andrew and Peter, James and John.

His followers today cannot copy His life any more than the early Christians did, but we can approximate the close fellowship and some of the teamwork so vital to His work. We can remember His invitation to "come after me" and become "fishers of men."

Several specific suggestions on leading meetings may help, especially in starting new groups:

(1) Start small. Jesus sought out a person here, another there--- some fishermen, a tax collector, a few others---brought them together to talk and work and pray. Why should we try to improve on this?

(2) Go deep. A medical doctor says: "Dogma, denominationalism, and social respectability have largely overlaid the spirit of love in our churches. . . . The average church fellowship is so respectable that real problems never come out into the open."

As Sherry Day has said, "There's no substitute for being honest about yourself." In a small, intimate fellowship people's real problems come into the open, and Bible truth, instead of being presented theoretically, is revealed in action and meets men at their point of need---where God's love always focuses. Human beings are very much alike. It is pride which makes distinctions--- or the false idea, "I'm a special case," or the self-pity that complains, "Why does this happen to me?"

(3) Take leadership. If you've had an experience of God's grace and see something of what the impact of a group can be, experiment in gathering a few kindred spirits in your home or church house. If you are a minister, "take a chance" and, instead of getting up the usual talk or Bible study, prepare nothing but yourself. If you are a layman, talk things over with your pastor, but do not press him to participate unless he wishes to do so.

In a democracy a leader's place is sometimes obscured. You may have to carry the ball for a number of weeks or even months. Surely rotation of leadership on a purely mechanical basis guarantees little.

(4) Give everyone a chance. Some people love to talk; others prove reticent and need to be drawn out. Everyone may at least be expected to be able to give, besides his name, some reason for being present.

(5) Focus on spiritual growth and action. Any live news of spiritual growth, insight, or action, or any honest admission of inadequacy or sin, is grist to the mill of an effective group, and a good leader will be alert to such a contribution---yes, and sometimes reach for it through the use of questions. Naturally, there are matters too private or disturbing to be aired in even such a meeting; but an admission of pride, a request for help, an avowal of a step of self-denial---these all help the individual concerned and also tend to bring health-giving reactions from others. If the leader or someone else in the meeting knows that a certain person has just taken a step forward, a suggestion may be made that will encourage him to express himself. Such an approach, loving and without pressure, opens doors. So, too, does the report of an experience in which God has used someone in the group to bring faith to someone else.

(6) The consideration of a problem of general, practical concern can also be used effectively to kindle the group. Take, for instance, the maintenance of health, or the desire for security---either subject may become the theme for a meeting or even a series of meetings.

One evening a teacher came to a men's meeting in' a very discouraged mood. He knew God deeply and had often made valuable contributions to the group, but this night he looked and acted defeated. In a few minutes the cause became clear---working in a humanistic and hostile situation, the man found his faith viewed with disfavor; a fellow teacher had begun to attack him, and it seemed quite likely that he would lose his post. An undercurrent of fear was operating powerfully to unbalance and weaken him. But when he described the problem and admitted the fear, he found release and strength.

(7) Keep the beginner in mind. As a group gathers momentum the most important note at a meeting may be struck by a newcomer who has just moved forward spiritually. What he has to say may amount to "driving a stake"---coming out into the open, spiritually speaking, for the first time---or reporting a commitment or an act of restitution. Give special encouragement to such a person---as well as to the chance inquirer. The latter may be helped most by drawing out the story of an older member---one which others in the fellowship may already know but which speaks directly to the "condition" of the new guest.

(8) When groups become too large for intimacy, create a "heartbeat" at the center---a team of those who are most deeply committed. With such a team other groups can be formed, or a more public type of meeting started in which personal witness becomes a central feature.

(9) Side step controversial matters and arguments. There is a place for consideration of difficult questions and for study, but not in a fellowship meeting. Most people will see this and agree to discuss special questions after the meeting or by special appointment. When two in a group enter into a debate, the leader can suggest that they continue it at another time. What we need today is not really more talk about God but the deeper experience of actually meeting with Him.

(10) Welcome pauses. Minutes of silence are frequently followed by times of honest "sharing." A hush can work like a suction pump, if the leader will calmly wait and not nervously seek to fill the interval.

(11) Time and place are important. Continuity and interest almost demand gathering at least once a week. Unusual hours like breakfast time have often proved effective. The lighting of the room and its ventilation are far from unimportant, and a definite time limit, though it may sometimes be exceeded, is advisable. Better to "eat frequently" than to be surfeited with "one Thanksgiving dinner."

(12) Have a good time in the fellowship and follow up the meetings with other opportunities to talk and to worship together. The man who is close to God usually increases in friendliness and by no means loses his sense of humor.

A discerning parson once arrived late for a meeting being led by one of his assistants. He stood on the edge of the circle for a moment or two and then broke into a hearty laugh. Some of those present looked up in surprise and irritation, but the older man kept chuckling. "You'll never reach any of the unchurched this afternoon," he said. "You look as if you carried the weight of the world on your shoulders. Cheer up---you're supposed to possess Good News!"

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