There was one point while writing A Different Kind of Tribe: Embracing the New Small Group Dynamic that I realized that there is a unacknowledged cynicism in many post-Christian era small groups. I hesitated to write the following paragraphs as they sound so negative but determined that this was important information.

the room: (1) silent, (2) subtle, and (3) self-aware. Silent cynics seldom speak, and if they do, they don’t unveil their cynicism.They don’t want to rock the ideological boat, so if they do speak, they say what they believe the group wants to hear. Subtle cynics arevery appropriate in their cynicism and may couch their cynicismin phrases like, “Some people believe . . .” or “I hear that most people think . . .” These individuals want to make a point without upending the group’s core values. Self-aware cynics blatantly and unapologetically verbalize their disbelief and doubts.
 

Group leaders must know that each of these persons is likely present and will affect the gathering. Silent cynics will most likely discuss what they really think away from the group gathering. This passive-aggressive behavior affects only those who the silent cynic is speaking with and may or may not affect the person or group negatively. Subtle cynics create moments of frustration for group members. Since they are unwilling or unable to let the group know that they are talking about their own doubts, the group cannot face the cynics’ beliefs head on and journey with them in ways that would be transforming. Self-aware cynics are a gift to a small group. These individuals force group members to conclude whether they have embraced the ideals of their parents or other people they have respected rather than establishing a faith of their own. While the self-aware cynic may bring the facilitator some cringe factor, he or she will say things that let mature believers respond with what silent and subtle cynics need to hearto move beyond their cynicism.


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Leading a transformational Bible study takes on a slightly different timbre when leading a Tribal small group. Below you’ll find a few suggestions from A Different Kind of Tribe.

Allow the group time to process the meaning of a passage together rather than telling the group the meaning of the passage. Because many today believe that everyone makes his or her own truth, we want to be sure we’re using the most effective way to ascertain truth. A community in agreement carries more weight than a lone facilitator declaring what is right. In fact, if a facilitator declares what the truth is and seems to expect everyone else to simply agree, it may seem like just another opinion rather than the biblical bottom line. Be certain of this though: If a group is embracing falsity, the leader must redirect group members toward truth and guide them to process what is right together. In most cases the Holy Spirit will be at work, and the group will likely land on truth rather than accept an outrageous opinion birthed in ignorance. When you’re leading the discussion, remember that you are discussing the Great Narrative. A few things you’ll want to consider:

 

1. Remind your group that the Bible is the Story told through many stories. It is the story of redemption unveiled through many situations.

Every announcement of dos and don’ts takes place in the context of an individual or a community’s story. Guide your group to discuss these rights and wrongs in light of the context in which that story is being told. But be sure group members don’t conclude they are not held to the same standards as those in the story. Context doesn’t erase commandments.

 

3. Guide your group to discuss who God is in light of His actions and activities. Every story reveals something about God, a personality trait or an attribute of His character. Some of the most life-transforming conversations a group has take place when the group discusses who God is in light of how He performed in a real-life situation. I assure you that group members will see a much bigger God than they currently perceive Him to be when discussing the complexities of His character, actions, and decisions. This will stretch them, but it will give them amore realistic view of Him.

4. Let each character in the story come to life. When discussing the story’s characters, interpret their statements and actions in light of who they are, who they represent, the role they play in the society they were in, and the culture in which they lived.

 

5. Guide each member to conclude which character in the story most intersects with his or her own. In most cases each group member sees something of himself or herself in one of the story’s characters. Help group members conclude why they do. It is very possible that some unstated pain or loss or reason for celebrating God’s power in the past will become known for the first time.


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When I was writing A Different Kind of Tribe I realized that, in the recruitment of group members, we often use language that may not resonate with people in a post-Christian era. Below you’ll find a short list of phrases that we have used in the past followed by a list of suggested phrases for use in today’s culture.

 

In the past, the small-group world has used some of the following phrases to draw people into group life:

 

1. Make friends.

2. Learn and grow in the knowledge of God’s Word.

3. A place to be held accountable.

4. Meet one another’s needs.

5. Become a mature disciple.

 

Some of the new motivators and language might be:

 

1. Go on a spiritual journey with fellow journeyers.

2. Explore the answers to life’s complex questions.

3. A place where you can be yourself while becoming something

more.

4. Never go it alone.

5. Make a difference in the world in which we live.


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Convinced Biblically Functioning Followers of Christ — While no one will arrive at complete spiritual maturity this side of heaven, there are those in small groups who are fully convinced, biblically functioning followers of Christ. With all of their being, these people are striving to live lives as outlined in Scripture.

Saved Cynics — No follower of Christ aims to be cynical, but most believers are spiritually cynical at some time in their lives. This is because a current life situation is overwhelming or because a situation is out of one’s control. A sensitive leader quickly realizes that the person who was once full of life and faith is pessimistic and skeptical. And some are cynical because they have been spiritually abused. At some point in their journey, these people felt they were mistreated by other followers of Christ or a church leader. They often distrust other believers, even their small-group leader. They will sometimes allow sarcasm to be the mode through which they reveal their cynicism. Still others who are saved cynics are cynical because Christians in their past mistreated them. The more intimate the broken relationship, the more cynical the person will be. If a supposedly Christian mom, dad, grandparent, or best friend mistreated the person by being unwilling to offer forgiveness, blatantly and purposefully contradicting biblical expectations after being a model or mentor, or turning his or her back on God and in so doing retreated from a relationship with the cynical group member, a cynical heart may result.

Secularized Strugglers — Secularized strugglers may or may not be followers of Christ. They are group members who tilt more toward secular ideology than biblical theology. Secularized strugglers who are already followers of Christ have allowed and may still be allowing secular perspectives to be their true north. Scripture is important to them, but down deep in their hearts, their worldview is anything but biblical.

 

Not-Yet Converted Conversationalists — Not-yet converted conversationalists are, in most instances, my favorite people. They are people who are exploring spirituality or Christianity. They are willing to join in the dialogue concerning Christ and Christianity, but they haven’t yet crossed the line of faith and become followers of Christ. They add much to the conversation and force all group members to know what they believe and why they believe it.


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A Peak Inside a Different Kind of Tribe: Embracing the New Small Group Dynamic... Why I Wrote It

This week I’d like to give you a look inside the book I’ve written, A Different Kind of Tribe: Embracing the New Small Group Dynamic. You may be asking, “Why is Howerton writing a book on small groups? There are enough books on groups to keep a small group pastor or leader busy for many, many years.” The next paragraph, taken directly from the introduction, will help you understand my purpose for writing A Different Kind of Tribe.

 

“A few years ago I began to ask myself: “Are the principles and practices being promoted again and again simply a rehashing of ideologies from a past era, an era that has come and gone?” This book was written in response to my journey into this question. Here’s the deal: I believe that the small-group movement cannot continue on its current trajectory or it will become just another neutered experience for already overprogrammed church types, church members whose greatest adventure is attending the next church-sponsored class, whose greatest sacrifice is dropping a few bucks into the offering plate as it goes by, individuals who will exit the local church as soon as it no longer makes them happy or is unable to shield them from the sinful, dark world that exists outside the four walls of the church building. The world has changed, the way we do group has not — but it must.”

 

I’d love your opinion… Do you think group movement settled into a paradigm that is missing the mark in a post-Christian era?