Throughout the Bible, we are instructed to live in community with other believers. We are told to spend time together, encourage, and carry each other’s burdens. 

You may see some of this type of connection born of corporate worship, but developing true unity in the Church and community among Christ-followers often comes from time spent doing life together. 

Whether you call them Sunday School classes, life groups, small groups, or some other name, the point is to build a sense of community by studying the Word, praying, and sharing life. 

There are many ways you can encourage your congregants to foster a sense of community with the other people in their groups. Still, the best way is to promote communication outside their scheduled group times. 

To best improve the communication within the groups in your church, you’ll need to answer the following questions.

Question #1: Why do you want your groups to communicate?

Director of Lifeway Research Scott McConnell said it best when he stated that:

“Small groups and Sunday School classes provide the relational glue that allows a local congregation to be a place where people love one another. Groups and relationships centered on the Word of God unify a congregation and motivate people to work together on the church’s mission. Churches with few people participating in groups are not in a healthy position to make more disciples.”

You should want your small groups to engage with each other throughout the week and talk to one another because that is what builds the foundation of a thriving church. 

You wouldn’t establish a new friendship by seeing each other in a group setting for 1-2 hours each week and having no contact outside of that gathering. In the same way, you can’t expect your congregants to become a unified body striving to grow and make disciples if they never connect outside the walls of your church.

Question #2: How do you want your groups to communicate?

One of the biggest challenges with encouraging communication is that there are no clear channels for communication. If your congregants don’t know how to reach out to one another or where they can find messages from their group members, they’re missing opportunities to connect and grow as disciples.

There are multiple options available for your groups to connect during the week. 

Depending on the size of your groups, text or email threads may be sufficient to allow members to share life updates, prayer requests, and church news. 

Larger groups would benefit better from a solution like Realm that was intentionally designed to help church members connect.

A tool like Realm gives your congregants a single location to communicate with other group members while also housing giving options, your church event calendar, and messages from your staff. 

Your church budget may factor into what communications options you encourage your groups to use. Some platforms are free, others have little to no cost up to a certain number of users, while some require a fee for usage. 

Choose the solution that allows your congregants to connect easily but doesn’t strain your ministry financially. Encouraging engagement will help your church grow its disciples, but make sure the tools you use are worth the investment.

Question #3: What do you do if you face opposition?

No matter what you do in your ministry, someone will always disagree with your decisions. 

You may have congregants who don’t see the need to communicate with other believers outside of service and small group times. You may have some who don’t like whatever communications tool you’re encouraging them to use. 

Whatever the argument, remind your congregation that connected groups lead to a unified church that can effectively reach people with the Gospel. 

Many who oppose something new either don’t understand the significance of the change or simply like the way things have been. By showing them what effective communication can do for your congregation, you’re removing one of the most significant barriers to connection.

No matter what communications tool you provide for your groups, make sure your staff and group leaders buy into the system and demonstrate to your congregants the importance of engaging with others. 

Your members will follow the example set by your leadership. If they value communication and connection, your congregation will, too.

Conclusion

The writer of Hebrews instructs us to “…consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching” (Hebrews 10:24-25). 

If you want to see a thriving, connected congregation, you must first be a church that communicates with one another and invests in each other’s lives outside the walls of your church building.

By knowing why your groups should communicate throughout the week, finding solutions to facilitate communication, and effectively addressing opposition, you’ll be on your way to a connected and thriving ministry.

ACS Technologies

ACS Technologies sets a new standard in church technology, offering a holistic suite of solutions that streamline administrative tasks and empower your staff to excel in their roles and your church to excel in your community.

In the ever-evolving landscape of church engagement and management, ACS Technologies rises above the rest. Our comprehensive church solutions, bespoke digital offerings, streamlined communication tools, comprehensive ministry consulting, and training make us the trusted choice for over fifty thousand churches. Experience the ACS Technologies advantage and elevate your church’s online presence, connectivity, and generosity today. Join us in redefining church technology for the digital age, where your ministry’s success becomes our shared mission.