When I was growing up, I never attended a church which emphasized "small groups" (not to say there weren't any). Of course, members often gathered together in smaller groups, but I wouldn't call these "small groups" in the sense it is now used. About 15 years ago I start noticing churches beginning to promote small groups and now I would suspect there are very few churches at all that do not recommend that members should be a part of some small group in the church.

I can certainly see benefits to being in a small group and they can certainly help people to integrate more into the life of the church. I have been in small groups that have been a great blessing and some that have not. However, I'm beginning to think that small groups are often more of a danger to a church than not. The amount of Biblical error and confusion I've seen created in some of the small groups I've attended is depressing. In many there is very little oversight or leadership. I've seen the confessions questioned, RPW-worship questioned, etc. I wonder if that, even in solidly reformed churches, the roots of sliding away from the true Gospel often originate in some of these small groups.

What are your thoughts concerning "small groups" at church?

John