Seven Myths About Small Groups: How to Keep from Falling into Common Traps

by Dan Williams

Dan Williams addresses the issues of small group life, including how long a group should last, whether a group should be closed or open to new members, what kind of leadership is appropriate for he group, and much more.

134 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 1991

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Dan Williams grew up in extreme southern Illinois receiving a bachelor of arts degree from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale. His passion for medicine brought him to New York City receiving a bachelor of science and a Physician Assistant degree at Touro College. While practicing psychiatry in an inner city emergency room, he found his first real interest in assessment and therapeutic intervention of those experiencing depression and life trauma. He would later receive his doctorate in clinical psychology from Forest Institute of Professional Psychology. He specialized in victims of abuse and assessing and treating sexual perpetrators. He has been called upon to do expert testimony in a number of medical cases as well as forensic cases involving abuse.
Presentations can be tailored to assessing and treating victims of sex abuse, prevention of sex abuse, assessing and treating perpetrators, and hope-affirming views to seek out a path of recovery. Dr. Williams incorporates a variety of treatment modalities including Native American spirituality to focus on a vision of healing.

Dan has founded and authored AboveHisShoulders.com, FeatherForFreedom.com, SurviveOutdoors.com, and Peace and Healing.com.
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Reviews

[Shaun Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a serial reviewer, I try to keep my online (and especially offline) libraries small. It is only the truly exceptional books that I will seek to purchase both physical and electronic copies for easy access. This is one such title that I regard to be 6 stars. For me, a book is great when it compels me to reconsider my existing practice or theology (in this case the former) - specifically using a leader-led open group style for a small group. Now I am exploring and considering the utilised of (i) a closed group and (ii) a facilitative method (in contrast to the lecture style). The resources provided at the end of the book are a mine of gems. Do check it out!

I have had the privilege of being in small groups for a good two decades of my life, which range from the two-year short term ones, to indefinite ones whose members will vehemently oppose any leadership attempts to split them apart. I therefore am able to understand the pros and cons of each extreme. The author communicates in an easy to understand and engaging tone, providing many helpful methodological tips honed from years of experience (and trial and error). These practical and wise suggestions are a must for every small group leader, church leader and pastor to evaluate and consider! The many real-life anecdotes provide the reader with a pleasant read and illustrate the concepts presented.

Chapter 2 provided this super extroverted social butterfly a sombre reminder that closed groups (whereby visitors do not haphazardly drop in) is paramount for our introverted friends who find it hard to open up their hearts. By default, our cell groups are open in nature, as the venues and timings are openly publicised, but I am compelled to reconsider how we can care for friends who find it difficult to be vulnerable and be accountable in the presence of strangers. He also points out and addresses concerns about closed groups being self-serving etc. I am definitely going to have read up more on consider the purposes and benefits of such closed groups!

At first, I am baffled as to why a book this good is not a best seller or even got a revision... Then it occurred to me that megachurches would not want to promote the message of Chapter 3 (Bigger is not better), and the touch and go engagement with bible passages would raise eyebrows of reformed pastors; quotes from the leading commentators would improve its biblical credibility. Also, while all the other chapters were extremely well written, chapter 5 was less clear and slightly confused; an editor perhaps to help improve the clarity and message of that chapter.

[Kariuki Njiru · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fascinating book for anyone who manages small groups be it a study group, a church group, a temporary committee. It deals with the basic assumptions people make when composing the group and setting expectations. Worth the read.