While meeting in large groups to learn and discuss our faith is certainly very good, we believe that meeting with a small group of people on a regular basis can be even better. In large group discussion, it can often be difficult for everyone to have the opportunity to share or ask questions. Because of the size of the group, people often don't get the opportunity to really know one another on a personal level. The larger the group, the more chance there is of participants coming and going. With a smaller size, there is more opportunity for deeper discussion, more opportunity for everyone to share and discuss, more opportunity for people to get to know each other personally. Here, in small groups that meet regularly, Christian community can have a more frutiful space to develop and grow.
We suggesting that a small group be less then 10 people; ideally 6-8.
Our hope is that every church parish in our diocese would have small groups of parishioners coming together each week in their homes or at their church parish.
Our hope is that we would all have relationships within which we can regularly discuss our faith and share our lives - that we would all experience true Christian community throughout our lifetime.
Our hope is that each of our church parishes would become a 'community of communities' - a Christian community made up of many smaller Christian communities. We believe that these small group based communities will strengthen and renew our church parishes.