Our Small-Group Ministry

A growing number of UU congregations (perhaps 75%) are utilizing small groups as a way of helping people connect and support each other. The reason is that they work – they are effective in providing their members with something they were lacking in a “typical” church environment. The term “small-group ministry” recognizes that we can all “minister” to each other – a facet of what UU theologian James Luther Adams called “the priesthood of all believers.”

Some congregations follow an established program for their small groups. This model is known as the Covenant Group program. Some of our groups are called covenant groups because the members agree to a certain set of expectations created by the group. But unlike some congregations that use the traditional model, we do not split our groups when the membership reaches a certain size. Nor do we dissolve our groups at the end of the church year. Our facilitators are not required to be trained by our minister, nor do they meet with her on a regular basis. Each groups chooses discussion topics based on the interests and needs of the group.

That said, we feel that our small-group ministry serves the fundamental purpose of the Covenant Group model, which is to give our friends and members a safe place to discuss those ideas and beliefs that are most important to them.

We value the opportunities that our small groups offer especially as our congregation grows in size. We recognize that it is often difficult for people to connect on a busy Sunday morning. Certainly those of us who have been around for a few years know that meeting our guests is not easy in all of the hurry and hubbub of coffee hour. None of us come to the services with the intent to ignore people we don’t know but making our way through a crowd of people can be daunting. Attending a book discussion group, a circle supper, and adult enrichment program or creating a long-term group to discuss a shared interest to go the movies together can lead to meaningful friendships.

Another reason for the popularity of small-group ministries is their effectiveness in cultivating people’s gifts for leadership. Most people enter into the life of the church on a personal spiritual journey, looking to deepen and enact their faith in meaningful ways. By connecting with a diverse group of companions in an atmosphere of both support and challenge, participants discover unique ways in which they can make a difference in other people’s lives. Thus, small-group ministries attract not only current members, but are very appealing to newcomers, as well.

What will a small group do for me?

To use a cliché, it depends both on what you put into it and what you want out of it. For some people, their contribution may sometimes simply be their presence at a meeting; there is no compulsion to speak or comment. Others may find opportunities that never existed – to broaden their knowledge; to talk about things they’ve wanted to explore; to learn about others’ experiences …. who knows?

Depending on the desires of the group members, the overall focus of the group may be spiritual or “religious” in their emphasis. However, the topics at their cores may be almost endless. Some are formed around some aspect of overt spirituality – the quest for meaning, our personal journeys, Zen or yoga, good and evil, meditation, etc. Some groups center on issues of peace, humanism, or social justice. Others have a practical bent: cooking, computers, quilt-making, woodworking, parenting, etc.

UUC members and friends determine what their small groups will do. After joining a group, the members decide the range and emphases of their joint interests and the topics they will deal with. Established groups will be able to describe to prospective members what they do, so new people can make a choice according to their desires.

How can I find a small group to join?

You can send an e-mail message to the covenant-group coordinator at CovGroups@uucnrv.org to find out if any of our groups are open to new members. If not, don’t give up! New groups can be formed at any time and the co-coordinator will help you create a group that will speak to your interests and concerns.

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