Developing a Contextualized Model for Small Group Ministry at Disciples Revival Church, Toronto, Ontario

Abstract

This thesis describes a contextualized small group model and the steps taken to implement it in Disciples Revival Church in Toronto, Canada. This Pentecostal church is primarily composed of immigrants mostly from Africa and the Caribbean Islands. After struggling to establish a small group ministry, the congregation and leadership were consulted through conversations, interviews and surveys resulting in a more flexible, focused, and situation sensitive model. The purpose of this small group ministry is to build a community of disciples nurtured by Bible study and prayer, connected with the church through their leaders, who minister to the needs of those within and beyond the group. The model was pilot-tested with one round of leadership training and the establishment of two groups which exhibited the desired characteristics.