Soul-Shaping Small Groups: A Refreshing Approach for Exasperated Leaders

Is your small group boring? (It's okay to be honest.)

Do you sometimes have to force yourself to attend the meetings (even the meetings you lead!)?

Do you wonder if small groups are doing anything for your spiritual growth?

Kim Engelmann, a pastor and small group leader, describes how she felt about one small group she attended: "It is Thursday evening—small group night. I... hesitate before getting out of the car. Do I really want to do this? I am not the sort of person that likes weeknight meetings. I am tired from a long day's work, but I push my car door open and crunch on up the gravel driveway... I convince myself that this is for my own good. I tell myself that I ought to be grateful that I live in a free country where small groups that talk about Jesus and the Bible are allowed. But I am not grateful—not one little bit."

As a result Kim asked herself a hard question about groups: Is it small groups that are the problem or the way we do small groups?

In this book she shares her answers, offering a new format for groups that gives authentic spiritual community a chance. She challenges the compartmentalization of Bible study, prayer and even fun (only laugh during icebreaker time!), and offers creative, practical suggestions that can serve to integrate these aspects into an experiential framework. Whether you are a pastor, a group leader or a member, if you find yourself dragging when it's time for small group, then this is the book for you.

Kim V. Engelmann is senior pastor at West Valley Presbyterian Church in Cupertino, California. Previously she served as pastor of caring ministries at Menlo Park Presbyterian Church. She writes the group discussion guides for thejournal Conversations. Her books include Seeing Jesus: Glimpses of God in My Life and Running in Circles.

John Ortberg is teaching pastor of Menlo Park Presbyterian Church and author of many books, including God Is Closer Than You Think and Who Is This Man?