We recently adapted this idea in a dream group that I was leading. It felt suprisingly risky to lead, but the feedback has been wonderful.

The idea is simply to create 45mins (or however long you want to aim at) of silence and space.

The only props were a lit candle, some paper and pens for those who wanted them, and some quotes that we showed on a screen. The quotes included bible passages and some of Henri Nouwen’s writings on silence. During each ten minute period, they were up for just a couple of minutes, followed by eight minutes blank screen and then a prompt (such as “25 minutes left”). So for most of the time, the screen was blank.

A number of people were astonished at the way time seemed to speed up, rather than drag, and felt that it sparked a hunger in them for their own regular space with God.

Most loved it, although a few found it very uncomfortable, although unpacking the reasons for that has been very fruitful.

Lots of people have used the Singapore model of 4W’s (Welcome, Worship, Word & Witness) as a structure for cell meetings.

Laurence Singlehurst together with a friend who works in the city developed an alternative that particularly suits short meetings, in the workplace that gather at the start of the day or over lunch.

Presence: Some simple reflection or activity that helps you to all become aware of the presence of God as you gather (eg read a Psalm)

Pressures: Sharing together the pressures that life has at work, home, etc and praying for one another

Purpose: Focussing on the purpose God has for you in that workplace - your mission.

It clearly mirrors the up:in:out lifeshape that many have found really helpful.

I’ve used this loads of times for small groups in the dream network.

Spend the first half of the evening catching up with each other and discussing a project or initiative you’re all involved in. Then…

-Light a candle.
-Put on some chilled out music.
-Use a compline liturgy (severely pruned down if it’s as long and wordy as the common worship compline).
-When you get to the ‘intercessions’ part allow time for some sort of open prayer for one another and the stuff you’ve discussed.

btw I wasn’t a fan of the daily office at college, but I love this approach.

This is as simple as it gets, but easily overlooked. Telling our own story, while others listen attentively, and hearing those of others, builds trust and community. So find some ways to hear each other’s stories. For example…

1. Have simple questions like “what would a snapshot of you when you were thirteen show us?”

2. Each time you meet, set aside up to an hour where one member of the group tells their own story. They could bring photos or other props. Then the whole group does some sort of simple creative prayer for that person. Keep this going, either each time you meet, or periodically, until everyone has had their turn. New people may join and therefore have missed some of the process, but they’ll still pick up the level of trust and openness in the group.

Jonny Baker’s recent post highlighted the need for creative resources for small groups.

We’d like to use this site as a place to share ideas in a kind of “gift economy”. So we’re starting a series called “community chest” where we’ll post simple worship or group activities that have worked in cells or small missional communities. Feel free to adapt and change them, and email your own ones in to add to the collection.