Dan Kimball has an interesting discussion on Relevant’s podcast;

Have we been focusing so much on creating “community” for young adults, that they become so engulfed in the church world they no longer are engaging people outside of the church?

This is the struggle, we need to be builiding community through small groups, but if we just develop these groups to be mini-support groups, or areas for people to spend all of their time, then we are provide a way for people to escape God’s call. Suddenly the groups become insular and self-focused because they are focused on “me” and my benefits of getting a strong Christian fellowship. I won’t have to worry about being “out there” because the church becomes my community.

However, too much of a good thing can result in stagnant and laziness. If community groups are not preparing people to engage the person in the cubicle next to them, then they are failing to heed God’s call…this is not to view them as projects but a desire to become genuine friends.