Just read a fascinating discussion on the ethnicity of small groups. The proposition is that small groups are a “white” thing. While African American and other ethnicities find community in the flow of life, gathering on front porches, maintaining ties with extended family, etc… whites need external assistance, a structure, a small group program.
The most provocative statement of the article is that whites do small groups for efficiency – 90 minutes, state the problems, fix the problems, go home.
I have never considered such issues before; just took them for granted I guess. I’m have a great time pondering it now.
1 response so far ↓
Zack // November 30, 2009 at 5:22 pm |
I think something that hollie said in her first post is a big part of it. As it’s been said, we were created for community. We gather together in a church where we feel the most comfortable and begin to build relationships. Outside of the 1.5 hours in church, it can be hard to get together because we often travel 20 miles (while passing many other churches including the one down the road) to our church. So if people live 20 min from church, they could live 40+ minutes away from the people they are trying to socialize with.