Too Short, Too Long, Just Right?

Last night in our LIFE Group Leader meeting we discussed the apparent conflict in our LIFE Group purposes. LIFE Groups are to be a place where people in the church can build stronger relationships with other people in the church (basically, get to know each other better). LIFE Groups are also intended to be a place where spiritual growth and maturity take place. Let me explain the conflict I see in these two different purposes...

To truly use LIFE Groups in a way that allows people in the church to get to know others in the church better we need to be sure that groups are mixing each year. We encourage people to change groups from year to year. That way you don't get so comfortable with one group that you refuse to branch out and meet others in another group. If you have ever been in one particular group for a considerable amount of time (3 years or more), then you know how hard it is to leave that group for another. So to accomplish purpose #1 we need to have a short-term group model.

This conflicts with purpose #2 - greater spiritual growth and maturity. It takes longer than a year for a group to truly gel with one another to the point that they will take off the mask and be truly open and honest. It takes this kind of openness and honesty to truly start growing spiritually. I've heard many people say it takes 3 or 4 months just for them to start feeling comfortable with a new group. One person said that he basically feels the need to show up with a smile for the first few months even if he isn't happy, just because he doesn't feel close enough to the group to show his true feelings. I understand his feelings. It is hard to grow when you can't be yourself. I believe simple Bible study is beneficial, but Bible study in the midst of relationships truly leads one to spiritual maturity. But this only takes place over time. The short-term group model hinders this kind of growth.

The question I have for you is, "How do we balance this out?" One person suggested at the meeting that we have a group model that changes up groups every two years instead of one. That may work. North Point Community Church in Atlanta uses a model like this. You can read about their model in the book Creating Community by Andy Stanley. What are some other options?