Can Online Small Groups Work?

Let's explore an issue that generates strong opinions among "group people."

I want to share a secret, so I'm going to whisper. Come in close so you can hear: [whispher] In a couple weeks, SmallGroups.com will feature a downloadable resource on effectively launching online small groups in your church [/whisper].

That's right: this will be something like an official endorsement for online small groups. Or at least, an official endorsement on a few methods for attempting online small groups.

To read more click here.

I posted the following comment in response to this article:

"As someone who has been involved in small groups of various types, Bible study, support, purpose-driven, therapeutic, etc. as a social worker, a Christian, and a licensed minister for over 25 years, I have three problems with Alan Danielson's article. First, the full dynamics of a small group cannot be replicated in an cyber small group. For example, people communicate more than in words. They communicate by body language, gestures, eye movements, etc.

Second, cyber small groups have limitations that local small groups do not have. You cannot give someone a hug or reassuring touch in a cyber small group. You cannot lay hands on them and pray for them. You cannot engage in community service together, have a barbecue or campout or other social gathering, do prayer walks together, or make door to door visits. I think that you get the picture.

Third, what Allan celebrates as the honest rawness of cyber small groups is attributable to the culture of the Internet and is not the positive that Allan thinks it. Because other people are not physically present with them, participants in chat rooms, Internet forums, etc. tend to be more aggressive and confrontational.

While I see a place for cyber small groups, I think that we should not present them as a substitute for local small groups and should recognize their limits, shortcomings, and weaknesses. We do small group ministry a great disservice if we do not call attention to these limits, shortcomings, and weaknesses.

I also have a problem with characterizing critics of cyber small groups as angry. Prejudicing the reader against critics of cyber small groups may not be your intention but this characterization gives the appearance that it is. This suggests that proponents of cyber small groups may be permitting their enthusiasm for this type of cyber gathering to color their thinking. They are not thoroughly evaluating the limits, shortcomings, and weaknesses of the cyber small group.

Before endorsing cyber small groups I would recommend a series of articles examining all aspects of these groups, including their limits, shortcomings, and weaknesses."