In this bonus conversation, Rob Wegner and Brian Johnson tackle a pressing question heard from many church leaders in recent years: Is it possible to transition small groups to microchurches? Drawing from years of experience and coaching, they share candid insights and hard-earned wisdom (also called mistakes and failure) about the challenges and opportunities involved in this shift.
This discussion builds on themes from the yesterday’s article Transitioning Small Groups into Microchurches, offering practical advice, personal stories, and thoughtful reflections on the cultural and spiritual dynamics at play.
Here are a few highlights:
Breaking the Social Contract: Why the foundational promises of small groups—community and content—differ from the mission-driven identity of microchurches and how this impacts transitions.
The Long Game: Transitioning isn’t a quick fix. It requires three to five years of patient investment, starting with a few committed leaders and multiplying over time.
Parallel Pathways: Instead of trying to overhaul small groups, Rob and Brian describe how Westside Family Church created a separate track for microchurches, allowing both systems to thrive side by side.
Identity and Mission: Helping small group leaders embrace a new identity as disciple-makers and missionaries, focusing on planting the gospel in their unique networks of relationships.
The Role of the Spirit: Encouragement for leaders to trust incremental progress, celebrate small wins, and recognize that even modest shifts toward mission and incarnation can bear significant fruit.
This conversation is an inspiring call to reimagine how we approach disciple-making and church formation. Whether you’re exploring microchurches for the first time or seeking to deepen your practice, Rob and Brian’s insights are a valuable guide.
🎧 Catch the full video above and join the conversation in the comments.
📄 Related article: The Difference Between Small Groups and Microchurches.
📚 Learn more about disciple-making environments and microchurch multiplication at Kansas City Underground.
#Microchurches #DiscipleMaking #Leadership #Starfish #ChurchInnovation
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