Small Groups or the Church?
Question
Why should church be set up with pastors as the leaders with their leadership as opposed to small groups where you can hold them to more accountability, and so they can know you personally holding you to accountability?
Answer
First, my definition of a small group differs from a church in that by definition there is limited, if any, leadership and it is normally small. On the other hand a church, may be of any size, and has organization and a prescribed leadership (if biblical, at least deacons and elders, with all other members using their respective gifts in unity).
Second, while the Bible does not dismiss the idea of "small" (initially "the church" met house to house — Acts 5:42; 20:20; I Cor. 16:19; Col. 4:15; Phil. 2), the Bible also reveals at times it met in larger areas such as the Temple (Acts 2:46-47; 4:1; 5:17-21, 42) and Solomon's Colonnade (Acts 5:12). Later as the church grew and had more converts and persecution increased church history records they met in different locations. In Rome, and some other cities, Christians worshiped at the martyrs' tombs in the underground cemeteries, or catacombs.
Third, while the Bible has no specifications for the church as to small or large, or even to what type of building to meet in, it does prescribe that there should be leaders in the church and a unity of a church itself (Matt. 18:17; Acts 5:11; 8:1; 9:31; 11:22; 12:1; 14:23; 15:4, 22; 16:4; 20:17; 1 Tim 5:17, etc.). The Scripture instructs us that Paul had elders appointed "in every town, as [he] directed" (Tit. 1:5). How could the "small group" fulfill what James speaks of, "Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord" (Jam. 5:14), if there were not church leadership — (i.e. elders)? It was not to small group leaders, but to church leaders that the author of Hebrews writes, "Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you" (Heb. 13:17). How would those with the gift of pastoring (Eph. 4:11-16) fulfill their calling(s) without the church? Paul leaves no doubt as to the existence of elders and deacons in 1 Timothy 3 saying, "I am writing you these instructions so that, if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God's household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth." (1 Tim 3:14-15). Just prior to these words above Paul calls for elders and deacons in the churches and even gives rules and regulations for their existence (1 Tim. 3:1-10; Tit. 1:5-9).
Moreover, in a "small group" it is doubtful that all the remaining gifts would be present and thus make it doubtful that it could fulfill other scriptures pertaining to its members (1 Cor. 12:12-26, etc.). Finally, if we look at Old Testament Israel as an example of church — which indeed it was — then we see a unity of a rather large group of individuals at a service! God's Word supports the existence of "the church" — small and large alike with leadership as designed by God's word.
However, the church is not a building though it may meet in one. It should be noted that the church is more than an organization of elders and deacons and those that serve (and those that unfortunately don't). It is also a living organism with Christ as its Head (Eph. 5:23) and we its servants "members of his body" (Eph. 5:30). Christ is united to his children in what is called his church (Eph. 5:22-33). It should also be noted that the visible church also contains unregenerate members.
Fourth, the church does exist and small groups may exist, however they may also pose some problems for the church itself and thus should be tightly monitored. At times they become cliquish which may destroy church unity — "I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ" (1 Cor. 1:12), or we might say, "I am of that group or I of this group," etc. Moreover, Church history records that some small groups [churches] have at times splintered off into heretical groups (Marcion, who taught that the God of the Old Testament was not the true God but rather that the true and higher God had been revealed only with Jesus Christ, etc.). Though small groups are not mandated by scripture, they may be fine, however they must be monitored by those who are experienced and taught in the faith. Paul once again gives us instruction:
Eph 4:11-16 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.Lastly, yes, God calls for church discipline (Matt. 18:15-20; Gal 6:1-6). It has been my experience that the great majority of churches today neglect this part of God's teaching. Some do not entertain it as they fear they may lose members, but fail to understand that "if" God is indeed sovereign that their garden may actually produce more fruit if they get rid of some of the weeds — every garden needs gardening (even the initial one at creation — Gen. 2:15). Additionally, no where does it say that a church needs to be large. Actually, in some instances losing members is a sort of a revival — as the peace of God then may reside once again amongst the remaining membership. Additionally, since a "small group" does not have any "specific biblical authority" (the church does, not a small group) to enforce discipline in the church it is doubtful, if one is following scripture, that they could do more effectively what God has prescribed that the church itself should do (Matt. 18:15-20; 1 Cor. 5:1-5; Gal. 6:1-6). The church needs to take its proper ownership of church discipline and begin to see revival once again within its own ranks.
Answer by: Joseph R. Nally, Theological Editor, on behalf of the staff at IIIM. The opinions expressed by the author are not necessarily the "official position" of Third Millennium Ministries.