From Impact Groups to iGroups

Impact Groups were the basis of small the group ministry of Impact of Huntsville. To meet the requests and needs of our CyberChurch family, Impact Groups gave birth to iGroups that met across the country and around the world. iGroups are the perfect and most natural metamorphosis of Impact Groups as our CyberChurch family has grown.

CyberChurch can never meet the need for close intimate friendship, worship, sharing and personal prayer. By the same token, neither can getting lost in a crowd of people or looking at the back of someone’s head during worship. Small group ministry is an essential Bible component for natural growth, discipleship and friendship.

In small groups people can discuss what they are learning. They can share, process and give testimonies. When there are needs, the believers can pray for one another. This is the Biblically based recipe for personal growth and development.

What Are iGroups?

iGroups are small groups that meet in people’s homes or offices all around the world. They utilize the teaching resources of Impact Ministries as their basis for teaching. Some groups meet and view the CyberChurch broadcast; some utilize DVDs, other meet as Book Clubs. Regardless of the particular resource, these are groups for people who desire to establish themselves in a lifestyle of grace, faith-righteousness and walking in God’s love.

Some of the groups follow the model set forth in Effective Small Group Ministry. Some follow their own pattern. The goal is not to get it done the way we want it. iGroups are what you create that best serves your goals for ministering to your family and friends.

For more information about small groups, read the following material. For specific information about iGroups click here. To order a copy of Effective Small Group Ministry click here.

Regardless of the size of the church, the average person only knows about six to seven people. Out of that number there may be no one with whom you really become friends. But the truth is, we all need people. We don’t build friendships by looking at the back of someone’s head on Sunday morning. It happens through getting to know people, talking with them and sharing our own ideas. Since the beginning, God has used small groups as a way to bond people together.

A small group within a large group is the Biblical pattern. The nation of Israel was divided into twelve tribes. Those twelve tribes were divided into groups of thousands hundreds, fifties and tens. That’s right! The entire nation was organized around groups of ten. When the New Testament church was born they followed the same plan. "Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved." Acts 2:46-47, NIV.

"Impact of Ministries was born out of people receiving ministry in my home. It soon grew into a group of nearly 100 people in my living room. That was our first Impact Group. Small groups have always been an essential part of the plan God gave me. I believe we will only fulfill our mission as our iGroup ministry grows." - Jim Richards.

Don’t you get sick of going to so many church meetings and still not living your dreams?

At one point I had to ask myself, "Why are we having three services each week? Is it really helping the people? Is it accomplishing our ministry objectives? Is it strengthening the families?" The answer to all of these questions was a resounding, NO!

Twentieth century Christians are worn out with meetings. In many settings, excessive church meets do not contribute to life, they become a substitute for life. The goal of church is not to replace our life. It is to give us the truth we need to live a better quality of life as we walk with God. Let me ask, "If you heard a good, challenging sermon on Sunday morning, do you have it working in your life by Sunday night before you go hear another sermon?" NO!

That’s the problem with the church in America. We are all information and with little application. Jesus told us to make disciples not students. Students only want to know what the teacher knows. But disciples want to live like their teacher lives. The frustration of most Christians is that they cannot get what they know to work. There are few avenues to learn application, share experiences or even ask questions. The answer is not to learn more. The answer is to find ways to walk in what we do know. Jesus said this, "But even more blessed are all who hear the word of God and put it into practice" (Luke 11:28, NLT) 

iGroups can help you move to the next levels... processing, taking ownership and ultimately to application. This ends the cycle of being a "hearer of the word only..." They help you go to the place where the Word you hear starts to work in your life. "We're not interested in you learning a new message. We're interested in your being empowered to a new way of life." At Impact Ministries, growing in the Word is not just learning more, it is growing in the the capacity to live the word and enjoy a better quality of life! (John 10:10)

Most people do not need counseling for their problems. They need the Word, a way to take ownership of the Word, encouragement and a system of support as they endeavor to put it into practice. An iGroup can provide you with all that, and the prayer support of people who know you and really care.

A Sense of Belonging

In this age of isolationism, people want to have the security that only comes from a sense of belonging. We all want friends. We all want to develop safe, stable relationships. iGroups provide an incredible opportunity to get to know people. 

iGroup that are based on the Impact Group model, follow a set of "communication rules" which makes it a safe place to share, ask questions and learn to communicate. Of all the skills that are lacking in our society, communication is at the top. Developing self expression has been a consistent experience for those who participate regularly in iGroups.

Finding Your Place in the Body

Some studies indicate that more resourceful people leave church every year because of a lack of opportunity to serve than any other reason. In the era of "paid professionals" the average believer is seldom involved in ministry. Yet, studies show that 70-90% of people walking with God today are the result of the personal influence of a friend or relative. This means that if we have any intention of winning the world to Jesus it will be done through personal involvement. The early church didn’t grow because of the ministry of the apostles; it grew because of the ministry of the people that heard the message of the apostles and took it their friends and family.

People know and trust you. You can more effectively touch more lives than any paid professional. From a Biblical perspective, it really isn't the job of  a pastor to win your friends and family; it is your responsibility! Most people may never even meet a pastor. But they see you everyday. They see how you live your life. They are willing to hear what you have to say. Unfortunately, most Christians never learn to minister to others. But you can, in the most nonthreatening manner! You can simply take your friends and family to an iGroup to watch an Impact Live broadcast or DVD.

In your iGroup you will have the opportunity to minister to others. When you desire to do so, you will be able to pray for people. You can develop your personal gifts and calling. You can grow in your confidence to minister to others in the group, then in your family, in the work place and ultimately the world! Just think of it, a safe place to learn how to help others.

iGroups are also a great, nonthreatening place to bring people who don’t want to attend church. It gets them introduced to the Gospel on a very personal, non-threatening level.

Selecting a Group you Enjoy

The iGroup format that is right for you is the one you enjoy. Read my book Effective Small Group Ministry and use the parts you enjoy. But the main thing is get started and simply experiment. At first just have people into your home to watch the broadcast or view a DVD. Then have refreshments and discussion about what they have heard. Visit different small groups or support groups like AA. Find the model that is most appealing to you. Like any new experience it will take a little time to find your "niche." But it will be worth the investment.