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Creating Community, Revised & Updated Edition: Five Keys to Building a Thriving Small Group Culture
Learn how to foster meaningful, lasting connections within your community, whether face-to-face or online, by creating a small-group culture through a proven five-step strategy.
Now, more than ever, people need community. Though digital “connections” are skyrocketing in today’s culture, deep relationships are in steep decline. People are eating out (and on the run) more—and going into an office less. As evidence of the stress on our social fabric, rates of loneliness and isolation, along with mental health issues, continue to climb.
Our need for community is clear, and people are turning to churches to find a place to connect, belong, and grow.
You know that a healthy small-group environment doesn’t just happen. It requires a clear vision, a thoughtful plan, and an experienced guide. It takes intentional effort to make it a reality. This book lays out the plan you need, whether your group is meeting in person or digitally, to intentionally build meaningful, lasting connections and spiritual growth in your church community.
Now, more than ever, people need community. Though digital “connections” are skyrocketing in today’s culture, deep relationships are in steep decline. People are eating out (and on the run) more—and going into an office less. As evidence of the stress on our social fabric, rates of loneliness and isolation, along with mental health issues, continue to climb.
Our need for community is clear, and people are turning to churches to find a place to connect, belong, and grow.
You know that a healthy small-group environment doesn’t just happen. It requires a clear vision, a thoughtful plan, and an experienced guide. It takes intentional effort to make it a reality. This book lays out the plan you need, whether your group is meeting in person or digitally, to intentionally build meaningful, lasting connections and spiritual growth in your church community.
257 pages, Paperback
Published July 13, 2021
111 people are currently reading
566 people want to read
About the author
Andy Stanley
279 books853 followersAndy Stanley is the senior pastor of North Point Community Church, Buckhead Church, and Browns Bridge Community Church. He also founded North Point Ministries, which is a worldwide Christian organization.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews
November 21, 2024
De ajutor... Ideea de a simplifica zbaterea din coate a unei biserici locale în toate direcțiile, toate ideile și toate slujirile posibile fara o țintă ultimă prin adunarea eforturilor pentru a aduna oamenii în cel mai roditor loc, si anume grupurile mici, mi se pare benefică pentru a nu irosi resurse și energie neeficient...dar, în același timp știu că în economia cerului și în felul in care lucrează Dumnezeu nu există noțiunea de risipă sau eficiență, doar moduri misterioase de a lucra.
Cu toate asta apreciez mult sintetizarea și simplitatea ideilor și practicilor din carte, pentru că fac implementarea lor accesibilă.
În urma, nu pot să zis decât că sunt foarte de acord cu ideea cărții, "Faceți grupuri mici!"
Cu toate asta apreciez mult sintetizarea și simplitatea ideilor și practicilor din carte, pentru că fac implementarea lor accesibilă.
În urma, nu pot să zis decât că sunt foarte de acord cu ideea cărții, "Faceți grupuri mici!"
February 1, 2022
Small groups are good. You should have them. They should be a priority. They should be simple. North Point did them and it has gone well.
There, I saved you $20.
There, I saved you $20.
July 13, 2023
Great keys and insights into creating a small group culture. It’s just keeping myself from feeling like we have to do everything in here to be successful at it. Bottom line: authentic community breathes life into our souls.
March 15, 2022
Read the updated and expanded version right after reading the original. Both are great reads that have me reflecting on community building - not only in the church - but everywhere.
A recommended read to all who want to lead in the building of safe places to have authentic relationships for real (take them as they are) folks.
A recommended read to all who want to lead in the building of safe places to have authentic relationships for real (take them as they are) folks.
July 21, 2010
A good book if your church is large. "this is how we do it at North Point." Practically written, but not very useful for a church of 100 like ours.
February 24, 2021
As a lifegroup leader it is always good to refresh with some structural questions.. Author Andy Stanley and I both are process oriented people, which is why I tend to like his books on ministry development.
January 10, 2026
Helpful construct for small group ministry. Some good and practical ideas. I read this as a small group leader, but this book was primarily written and would be most valuable for church leaders. I like the over-arching idea that a church would assign its most measurable goals to small groups, because that is where life transformation and growth happens. I also like the idea of keeping a group small, defining the purpose (Bible study? Fellowship? Support group?) and making it time-bound.
December 28, 2024
4 stars
I just picked up a collection of books on small groups and ended up starting with this one so it is hard to judge. But so many concepts were mentioned that I have already seen successful and warnings given that I have seen the failed results of that I can only assume this is one of the best.
One new ideas was the idea of having "CLOSED" groups. The authors explain that letting people into your group regularly disrupts the privacy and closeness similar to trying to get work done when people keep sticking their head in. The suggestions as to how to resolve the need to mix groups up and still for these bonds were well though out.
When I get through a few more books I may come back and adjust this rating up, but today's take is that this is a must read on the topic.
I just picked up a collection of books on small groups and ended up starting with this one so it is hard to judge. But so many concepts were mentioned that I have already seen successful and warnings given that I have seen the failed results of that I can only assume this is one of the best.
One new ideas was the idea of having "CLOSED" groups. The authors explain that letting people into your group regularly disrupts the privacy and closeness similar to trying to get work done when people keep sticking their head in. The suggestions as to how to resolve the need to mix groups up and still for these bonds were well though out.
When I get through a few more books I may come back and adjust this rating up, but today's take is that this is a must read on the topic.
January 12, 2022
This book was great view on creating authentic relationships. I think many of the tips provided can be used for small groups as well as creating communities at work. Looking forward to reading the expanded version next.
April 6, 2025
It’s a decent overview on the why and how of small groups. Small to medium sized churches will not have the resources to pull it off as mentioned in the book. In particular, my question is, “How do you find/recruit/train small group leaders?” This seems to be the biggest struggle in my context.
January 19, 2012
This is a very good resource. To be honest, I thought that it was more focused on skills for small group leaders (it does turn to that at the end of the book), but it describes in great detail the mission and the "whys behind the mission" at North Point Ministries.
August 4, 2017
(Found an old review I wrote in 2005)
I love short books that give a new perspective on an old idea. A generation or more ago, people actually communicated with their neighbors and engaged in conversations with them from the front porch or even from within the house! These days we drive into the garage, close the door, and enjoy our privacy on our back patio or deck. Where’s the relationship in that?
At North Point Community Church in Atlanta, Charles Stanley’s son, Pastor Andy Stanley, and Director of Group Life, Bill Willits, have led a revival of community in the context of church. This book explains the model they have used to involve over 8000 church members in regular, life-changing small groups, where relationships are built to last, both with church family and God.
The goal at North Point is for people to grow in their intimacy with God, community with insiders (believers), and influence outsiders (non-believers). They have chosen small groups as the vehicle to carry out this goal. But to get people into small groups, there are steps involved, called the “foyer to kitchen” strategy.
The “foyer” is the entry point of a home, where guests enter and are made to feel welcome. The purpose of the “foyer” at North Point is to change people’s minds about church. The worship service is a foyer environment, as would be an “introduction to the church” like our BASIX class or a “help ministry” like our DivorceCare and Good $ense Financial Management classes.
The “living room” is the next step, and the purpose here is to change people’s minds about connecting. They offer several groups which teach on life application topics like marriage and family.
Ultimately, the “kitchen” is where the most meaningful conversations and relationships take place. The “kitchen” small groups have been designed to change people’s minds about their priorities— “that through the activity of God and the influence of their group, their priorities and God’s priorities will line up; that over time, their lives will change.”
What I found interesting is how they are very intentional and organized about matching 8-10 people for each small group and then establishing a 18-24 month commitment when the group would meet. Then, after that time, the group multiplies and the people within the group join other groups. I can imagine that in a church this size, this is a fairly good way to develop deep relationships with many people over the years.
The small groups are conducted outside the church, in people’s homes, on a night of the week the group agrees upon when the group is initiated. In most cases, this replaces the traditional adult Sunday School, which may seem radical at first. But the byproduct is that parents are more available on Sunday to worship with their children and serve in other ministries. Additionally, the church does not have to spend millions of dollars on more buildings to try to host 8,000-15,000 people in Sunday School— one day a week. You’ll have to read the book to find out how they handle childcare during the small group meeting time. But given the out-of-the-box creativity this church is known for, be prepared for a surprise!
I love short books that give a new perspective on an old idea. A generation or more ago, people actually communicated with their neighbors and engaged in conversations with them from the front porch or even from within the house! These days we drive into the garage, close the door, and enjoy our privacy on our back patio or deck. Where’s the relationship in that?
At North Point Community Church in Atlanta, Charles Stanley’s son, Pastor Andy Stanley, and Director of Group Life, Bill Willits, have led a revival of community in the context of church. This book explains the model they have used to involve over 8000 church members in regular, life-changing small groups, where relationships are built to last, both with church family and God.
The goal at North Point is for people to grow in their intimacy with God, community with insiders (believers), and influence outsiders (non-believers). They have chosen small groups as the vehicle to carry out this goal. But to get people into small groups, there are steps involved, called the “foyer to kitchen” strategy.
The “foyer” is the entry point of a home, where guests enter and are made to feel welcome. The purpose of the “foyer” at North Point is to change people’s minds about church. The worship service is a foyer environment, as would be an “introduction to the church” like our BASIX class or a “help ministry” like our DivorceCare and Good $ense Financial Management classes.
The “living room” is the next step, and the purpose here is to change people’s minds about connecting. They offer several groups which teach on life application topics like marriage and family.
Ultimately, the “kitchen” is where the most meaningful conversations and relationships take place. The “kitchen” small groups have been designed to change people’s minds about their priorities— “that through the activity of God and the influence of their group, their priorities and God’s priorities will line up; that over time, their lives will change.”
What I found interesting is how they are very intentional and organized about matching 8-10 people for each small group and then establishing a 18-24 month commitment when the group would meet. Then, after that time, the group multiplies and the people within the group join other groups. I can imagine that in a church this size, this is a fairly good way to develop deep relationships with many people over the years.
The small groups are conducted outside the church, in people’s homes, on a night of the week the group agrees upon when the group is initiated. In most cases, this replaces the traditional adult Sunday School, which may seem radical at first. But the byproduct is that parents are more available on Sunday to worship with their children and serve in other ministries. Additionally, the church does not have to spend millions of dollars on more buildings to try to host 8,000-15,000 people in Sunday School— one day a week. You’ll have to read the book to find out how they handle childcare during the small group meeting time. But given the out-of-the-box creativity this church is known for, be prepared for a surprise!
January 24, 2020
As other reviewer‘s have said this book has good nuggets that can be applied as long as you don’t try to copy Northpoint, but instead use as a way to consider the direction and goals of your church. This is especially true if you are not a mega church. I personally could’ve done without the corny joking that seems to plagues so many Christian how to books. That’s just a personal pet peeve, however. I think the biggest issue I take with the book is that it doesn’t consider people who don’t mingle or join groups easily. In word: introverts. As a Christian I do not deny or contest the value of community. However, I have found community at my church with beautiful one-on-one friendships. I find it very difficult to share in a group setting. This book seems to imply that unless you’re in a small group you are not growing as a Christian. I don’t think that is correct. I would’ve benefited to hear how such a large church include or reach out to introverts and people who don’t join groups or mingle easily.
February 13, 2018
Key takeaway: Keeping the Groups systems SIMPLE and without competing systems. Clarifying the WIN on all "programs". Begs the question -- how do Discipleship Path and Groups fit together? Coaches can reasonably be used to MONITOR, but not TRAIN Group Leaders. Need different training plan. Dealt well with how to move people into Groups - but not at all with Multiplying... even though they repeatedly confirmed that this is one of the hardest parts of Group Leadership. Spelled out the importance of funding well 1. Staff positions, 2. Excellent Leadership Events - motivating people to attend, 3. Childcare.
One of the best parts is the beginning, retelling God's creation of Adam & Eve, and declaring that we were not only created with a God-shaped vaccuum that only God can fill - we were also created with an others-shaped vaccuum that God Himself WILL not fill. Picture of the powerful need for Groups
One of the best parts is the beginning, retelling God's creation of Adam & Eve, and declaring that we were not only created with a God-shaped vaccuum that only God can fill - we were also created with an others-shaped vaccuum that God Himself WILL not fill. Picture of the powerful need for Groups
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 13, 2017
A wonderful book! It is the 1st century "house church" for the 21st century. But applying any of this to the current reality in most Mainline churches requires some things that don't exist in our current reality:
1. Senior pastors who stay long enough to make these kinds of vision, strategy, and tactics possible;
2. A church that wants a small group ethos for everyone, and an ethos of change, not just small groups for fellowship.
3. A Senior Pastor who is as good as Andy Stanley is at leadership that they can build, direct, and motivate a whole church team to invest in something like this.
Some of this book is applicable to better shepherding any small group; but more than that is beyond the scope of my experience of institutionalized churches too much invested in the status quo to reinvent their shrinking, aging congregations.
1. Senior pastors who stay long enough to make these kinds of vision, strategy, and tactics possible;
2. A church that wants a small group ethos for everyone, and an ethos of change, not just small groups for fellowship.
3. A Senior Pastor who is as good as Andy Stanley is at leadership that they can build, direct, and motivate a whole church team to invest in something like this.
Some of this book is applicable to better shepherding any small group; but more than that is beyond the scope of my experience of institutionalized churches too much invested in the status quo to reinvent their shrinking, aging congregations.
January 4, 2021
While slightly outdated, Creating Community nonetheless sets up church small group leaders with 5 domains helpful in evaluating and improving their church’s small group ministry.
Many of the reviews I read complain about this book only applying to large churches — yes, it’s easy to spot statements that aren’t down-scalable for smaller churches, but most of the statements, questions, and tools in the appendices are just as useful for a church of 80 as they are for a church of 800 (Example: closed 18-24 month groups could work well for a church that is growing by at least 12% annually, but not for a church of 80 growing at an equal rate).
This is a good, quick read for someone hoping to elevate the small groups and looking for quality prompts to engage their thinking.
Many of the reviews I read complain about this book only applying to large churches — yes, it’s easy to spot statements that aren’t down-scalable for smaller churches, but most of the statements, questions, and tools in the appendices are just as useful for a church of 80 as they are for a church of 800 (Example: closed 18-24 month groups could work well for a church that is growing by at least 12% annually, but not for a church of 80 growing at an equal rate).
This is a good, quick read for someone hoping to elevate the small groups and looking for quality prompts to engage their thinking.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 28, 2022
This is a great book for anyone who is committed to having great small groups. Andy Stanley and his team have created a excellent culture for small groups to be a place where people can connect and grow.
If you follow the steps listed in the book, you will emerge with a strategy that you can use for implementation of your own group of connected individuals. I have many books on small groups, but this one pulls all the various thoughts of others into a workable solution for your organization.
If you follow the steps listed in the book, you will emerge with a strategy that you can use for implementation of your own group of connected individuals. I have many books on small groups, but this one pulls all the various thoughts of others into a workable solution for your organization.
August 19, 2017
As with other books by Andy Stanley, this book has ideas that are sure to grow a church and make a sustainable small group community. However, there isn't much here on the presence of God in a believer's life, the role of the Holy Spirit in deepening a believer's faith and relationships with other believers, or how the Word of God transforms a life. I continue to be troubled by the lack of spirituality in Stanley's books. It is unfortunate that he's had such an influence on the American church.
June 13, 2018
Leading a new small group, I was looking for a book that might be helpful in pointing me in the right direction. I'm pretty confident this is not the best book written in the subject of small groups. I'm sure the authors hearts are in the right place but this book often sounds more like the church is a business with products to offer customers than the body of Christ doing the work of expanding God's kingdom.
March 28, 2020
“At North Point we have chosen a strategy centered in small groups because we believe it is the best delivery system for accomplishing our mission to lead people into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ.” - p. 114
Andy Stanley details how their small group structure helps drive and deliver their goal of helping people 1) pursue intimacy with God, 2) community with insiders, and 3) influence with outsiders.
Andy Stanley details how their small group structure helps drive and deliver their goal of helping people 1) pursue intimacy with God, 2) community with insiders, and 3) influence with outsiders.
September 16, 2020
This book is a practical, simple, easy to read insight into how creating a “small group church” has proven to function. While not everyone can apply each “step” or idea presented here, I think it at least offers insightful dialogue that can be evaluated and get you asking the right questions about small group ministry.
I would recommend this book to anyone in church ministry leadership.
I would recommend this book to anyone in church ministry leadership.
August 13, 2025
Helpful, tactical book for pastors and group leaders
This is a concise, helpful book to think through various aspects of groups at church. It provides opportunities for readers to think about purpose, structure, strategy, and growth in their own context without mindlessly trying to copy NorthPoint’s version.
This is a concise, helpful book to think through various aspects of groups at church. It provides opportunities for readers to think about purpose, structure, strategy, and growth in their own context without mindlessly trying to copy NorthPoint’s version.
April 4, 2018
I've been leading the Small Groups Ministry at my church for 9 years. How has it taken me this long to read Creating Community? I loved that this book wasn't a here the model now go but here's questions you to ask yourself that will lead to desired outcomes.
December 19, 2021
This is such a great book for churches and their staff but also a good read for those that need some encouragement and information on why community is so important for their spiritual, mental, and emotional growth. Highly recommended. The chapters are short so you feel like you are making progress every time you open the book.
July 7, 2023
This book sets up thoughtful questions for leaders planning small group ministry. I recommend using the questions at the end of each chapter, then reading the text to make sense of any that you don't understand. The opening chapters on why people should want friendships is skippable.
December 17, 2017
Amazing book for any church who wants to create community through small groups!
January 17, 2018
Not really what I was looking for -
January 13, 2019
Highly recommend
Great Ideas for small groups.
This book has a lot of good information on how to create community in small groups. I highly recommend it.
Great Ideas for small groups.
This book has a lot of good information on how to create community in small groups. I highly recommend it.
August 9, 2019
Clear philosophy for creating small groups that multiple. It's a little older and I know NP has changed some of their philosophy on groups so I'd love to see an update.
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