Michael G.

Hamilton

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To highlight the fact that Groups in the church
play a crucial role in influencing people and
change

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From the very beginning of time as we know it,
groups have been influential as agents of
change and development in society.

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All civilizations have had groups playing major
roles in the structure of communities and the
implementation of laws and rules that govern
people and their behaviour.

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 Genesis 1:26. “Then God said, ‘Let us...; let
them....’”
 Genesis 2:18. “It is not good for man to be
alone....”
 Deuteronomy 19:15. “A matter must be
established by the testimony of two or three
witnesses.”
 Matt. 18:19-20 “Where two or three are
gathered together in my name….”
 Heb. 10:25 “…forsake not the assembling of
yourselves together….”

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 The formation of small companies as a basis
of Christian effort has been presented to me
by One who cannot err. If there is a large
number in the church, let the members be
formed into small companies, to work not
only for the church members, but for
unbelievers. If in one place there are only two
or three who know the truth, let them form
themselves into a band of workers.

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 Let them keep their bond of union unbroken,
pressing together in love and unity,
encouraging one another to advance, each
gaining courage and strength from the
assistance of the others. Let them reveal
Christ-like forbearance and patience,
speaking no hasty words, using the talent of
speech to build one another up in the most
holy faith. (EG White, T7, p. 21-22)

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Formation of small companies:
1. Basis for Christian effort
2. Work for Church members – Nurture
3. Work for unbelievers – Evangelism
4. Relational dynamics
5. Interdependence
6. Unity of purpose

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The individual
is neither as
powerful nor
as influential
as the group

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“Where two or three are gathered together in
my name, there will I be in the midst of them
to bless them.” Matt. 18:19-20.

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One might suggest that Jesus implied that
greater effectiveness begins when a group is
formed.

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A definition of a group is, “...two or more
individuals who are connected to one another
by social relationships.” Donelson R. Forsyth.
Groups are made up of members who exert
influence or have an impact on one another,
whether negatively of positively.

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In the context of the church, the community is
made up of both ‘primary’ and ‘secondary’
groups.

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 Primary Groups are made up of family
members, close friends and cliques.

 The family is one of the toughest

institutions we have and exerts the greatest
influence over individuals and communities.

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 They provide for more intimacy and face-to-
face interaction.

 They are interdependent and demonstrate

primary responsibility in shaping attitudes,
values and behaviour.

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 Secondary Groups are more complex. These
might be the congregation to which we
belong, or even the ethnic or immigrant
group.
 These groups influence behaviour but only
as a supplement to the primary group’s
influence.

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Planned groups are created by external
forces or by the members of a
particular group. They are deliberately
formed to accomplish a particular task.

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Emergent groups are more naturally
formed by individuals who have a
common interest or leaning or who
gravitate to one another through
repeated interaction.

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◦ Primary groups are the most effective
change agents. It is within these groups
that attitudes are formed and values are
changed.
◦ Peer groups are emergent groups and
these also influence change, especially in
teenagers and youth. People amend their
behaviour to match that of the members
of their peer-groups.

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 David W. Johnson and Frank P. Johnson.
 Four types of groups:
1. Pseudo Groups
2. Traditional Groups
3. Effective Groups
4. High-Performance Groups

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 Members have no interest in working
together
 Members compete with one another
 Members see one another as rivals who must
be defeated
 Members distrust one another
 Members hide information from one another
 Members have no commitment to other
members or future of the group
 Group is unproductive

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 Members accept that they have to work
together
 Members expect individual reward rather than
group reward
 Members do not assume equal share of work
 Conscientious and hard working members
feel exploited
 Group is less productive

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 Members are happy to work together
 Members committed to maximum individual and
group success
 Members believe that success is dependent upon
efforts of all group members
 Members are positively interdependent
 Members benefit from effective expertise-based
power sharing
 Members experience constructive conflict
resolution
 Member accountability and evaluation of group
effectiveness
 Group is highly productive

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 Members out-perform the ‘Effective’ group’s
qualities
 Members have mutual concern for one
another’s personal well being and growth
 Group experiences high numerical and
spiritual productivity

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What is Group Dynamics?

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Kurt Lewin, in mid-twentieth century, used
the term ‘dynamic’ to describe the
processes, actions and changes that impact
the members of groups. It points out the
fact that external and internal forces can
determine both the structure and function of
groups.

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 Interaction within a group is determined by
the group’s structure. Structure is identified
by group members’ roles and norms.

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 Roles differentiate between group members
and help to ensure appropriate behaviour in
accomplishing tasks or goals.
 Role obligations and rights are interrelated
◦ E.g. Teacher and student / pastor and member
 Contradictory role expectations and demands
lead to conflict within group.

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 Groups norms tell group members how to
behave, and bind group members together.
 Norms are the rules that regulate acceptable
behaviour.
 They are not imposed but develop through
interaction of group members.

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 Acceptance
 Communication
 Structure
 Purpose
 Background of people
 Cohesion/Unity
 Standards for procedure and evaluation

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 God

Task Relationship

People

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One’s personality type influences one’s
relationship to groups

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 Males—join groups for power and recognition

 Females—join groups for intimacy.

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◦ Research shows that even though
some people value their privacy and
moments alone, they still expressed
appreciation and value for relational
and intimate experiences with others.

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 Some cultures use isolation and
solitary confinement as a means of
punishment for offenders.

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 Ostracism, exclusion, and rejection influence self-
esteem, one’s feeling of personal worth. (e.g., not
being picked for the team, given the cold shoulder,
your opinion being ignored by a group, etc.). Mark
Leary, social psychologist, suggests that self-esteem
is not so much an index of one’s “perceived self-
worth, but instead is a psychological monitor of one’s
degree of inclusion or exclusion in social groups.”

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 There are many factors that help to determine
the life-span of a group.

1. Social Connection. Effective long-term groups

must have a social connection.
2. Defined Roles. Group members need defined
roles.

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1. ‘Forming’ Stage. Time of orientation with group
members and the group mission/purpose.
2. ‘Storming’ Stage. Time of conflict where group
members search for status and Sets goals.
3. ‘Norming’ Stage. Time of relative peace and
establishment of structure and standards.

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4. ‘Performing’ Stage. Time of focus on tasks and
objectives. Getting the job done.
5. ‘Adjourning’ Stage. Time of
disbanding/dissolution.

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1. Birth – Early fragile stage where new group needs
plenty of attention.
2. Early Childhood – The exciting stage of trial and
testing. Time of sibling rivalry and relationship
forming.
3. Adolescent – Time of growth pains, questioning of
authority and resistance to leaders. Could also be
a time of passivity and non-involvement. (Happy
to let others do the work).

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4. Adulthood – Growing awareness of one’s abilities
and demonstration of deep commitment to the
groups.
5. Late Adulthood – Spawning stage. New group
leaders emerge. Some may leave to form new
groups.
6. Death – For some, this is an inevitable stage and
calls for either resurrection or burial.

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