Factors that Fuel Small Group Growth

Abstract

In order to improve congregational growth, thousands of churches in the United States have implemented small group ministries over the last several decades, but almost no statistical research has been done to determine what factors in small groups and churches foster group growth. This study involved surveying 1,140 small group leaders in 47 churches using factor analysis and multiple regression analysis to determine the factors that drive small group growth. Four small group factors showed a causal relationship to group growth: the prayer life of the group leader, an outreach focus, caring relationships between group members, and the empowering of group members in leadership and ministry. On the church level, three factors—an atmosphere of intercession, the active coaching of group leaders, and the equipping of members and leaders—promoted group growth by improving the four small group factors.