by Tara Miller and Jenn Peppers

My immediate hopes for this book were high… the authors are practitioners (applied knowledge), the forward was by a writer I have enjoyed (Joseph Myers), and the sub-title acknowledged that small group ministry was about more than a gathering! I was not disappointed.

 In Finding the Flow, the author’s honestly confess there is no ‘one answer’ for small group ministries precisely because they are groups of people – each unique in gifts, brokenness, mission, and mission field. No time is wasted arguing for uniformity in model or approach… “this is the way – the only way – do this and you will always succeed.”

 Instead, they bring their experiences as small group members, leaders, and pastors of small group ministry to the table of small group life. They take standard small group issues like group life-stage, asking good questions, dealing with conflict, and developing new leaders, and present ideas that are broadly applicable to the profoundly organic nature of group life. In that respect, almost any Church, anywhere could find value here.

But, they go a step further – they include exercises a small group leader, a group of small group leaders, or the small groups themselves could enter into in order to discover and apply what they have taught. For example, they don’t just talk about small group values; they offer exercises to discover what those values are and ideas for dialog about where to go from that discovery! (Incredibly practical)

Finally, there are multiple appendices, including directions to online presentation helps, to carry this material directly to your small group leaders as a tool for equipping.

Are there weaknesses? Sure. Two immediately come to mind: both authors are women who tell stories that include ladies-only groups. There will be some guys who read the book and dismiss some of their points because “that would never happen with a group of guys.” I disagree, but it does provide one weakness. Secondly, the authors try too hard, at times, to keep their analogy (a small group is like a river of water making its way to the sea), in the reader’s mind. It is a good picture that they wrap up well in the end but, at times, they just needed to give it a rest.

This book is a little like a make-believe radio station that tries to be all things to all people (a rock-n-roll song followed by an old-school country song and wrapped up with clips from NPR and Rush Limbaugh), there is something here to make anybody frustrated! I encourage you to read it like a mule eating briers – chew a little while, spit out the briers, then swallow the good stuff - - and there is plenty of good stuff!

Randy Millwood is a free lance Christian, serves as a missionary with BCMD, teaches at a seminary, loves small group ministry, and is a PROUD GRANDFATHER!