The shift from evangelism to assimilation: How changing the purpose of small groups impacted the church’s mission …

In the latter part of the 20th century, many churches experienced a notable change in their approach to ministry. During this time, there was a marked transition from traditional evangelistic practices toward the “attractional” model and seeker-sensitive services. This change fundamentally redefined the role and purpose of small groups within the church, ultimately affecting its mission of making disciples as outlined in Matthew 28:18-20.

THE ATTRACTIONAL MODEL AND SEEKER-SENSITIVE SERVICES
During the 1970s through the 1990s, churches increasingly embraced an “attractional” model. This approach aimed to create engaging worship environments designed to draw people in. By making church services more appealing and “relevant,” the idea was to “attract” seekers and potentially lead them to faith. This approach led to the development of seeker-sensitive services, which tailored worship to the preferences of non-believers to make church “more accessible.”

While these changes occasionally boosted attendance, they often led to a dilution of the gospel message. The focus on relatability often overshadowed the clear presentation of biblical truth, resulting in a compromise in the integrity of the message.

THE SHIFT IN SMALL GROUP FOCUS
As the attractional model gained prominence, the role of small groups within the church also shifted. Originally, small groups were an effective outlet for outreach, providing intimate settings for sharing the gospel and building relationships with those outside the church. However, with the new focus on assimilation, small groups increasingly became centered on integrating new members into the church’s existing structure.

Consider the story of one small group from the 1980s. This group, meeting in the cozy living room of a church member’s home, was more than just a Bible study — it was a gathering where close bonds were formed, and members were committed to helping each other grow in their discipleship and deepen their walk with Christ. Their discussions explored scripture thoroughly, encouraging each participant to mature in their faith and live out their commitment to Christ in meaningful ways. What made this group particularly effective in evangelism was its intentional outreach to non-believers. Members routinely invited friends, coworkers, or neighbors who did not yet know Christ to join the group. Once these non-believers became part of the group and a friendly connection was made, they were routinely extended a personal invitation to hear a fuller telling of the Gospel through a comprehensive presentation. This approach allowed non-believers to engage with the message of Christ in a welcoming environment, leading many to faith. Once they made a decision for Christ, they were discipled by the very people who had invited them, as the group embraced the responsibility of guiding them in their new life in Christ.

Unlike today’s small groups, which often focus on merely “doing life” together, small groups should be integral to the church’s mission — a place where deep, familial bonds are formed among brothers and sisters in Christ. This fellowship should be marked by a shared commitment to growing in spiritual maturity, a collective effort to include and reach non-believers with the gospel, and a dedication to equipping one another for effective relational evangelism. For too long, the conversation around small groups has been limited to the idea of “doing life’ together, without truly building the strong, life-changing connections that the family of God is called to embody.

This shift meant that small groups were no longer seen as opportunities for outreach. Instead, their role was redefined to ensure that new members felt included and connected within the church — that they were “assimilated.” While this approach fostered a sense of belonging, it reduced the effectiveness of small groups in reaching new individuals.

THE IMPACT ON EVANGELISTIC EFFECTIVENESS AND SPIRITUAL MATURING
The reorientation of small groups from outreach and discipleship to assimilation significantly impacted the church’s mission. By focusing on integrating new members rather than reaching out to new individuals and the spiritual maturing of church members, the church’s ability to fulfill the Great Commission — making disciples and then teaching them — was diminished. The emphasis on assimilation often meant that evangelistic efforts were relegated to specific programs or events, which proved less effective than the organic outreach facilitated by small groups.

This shift also contributed to a decline in biblical literacy. As small groups became more focused on internal integration, there was less emphasis on robust teaching and spiritual formation. This alteration in biblical instruction led to a church environment where spiritual growth and understanding were secondary to the process of assimilation.

The attractional model and seeker-sensitive services, while boosting attendance in the short term, ultimately failed to achieve long-term disciple-making and discipleship. The intentional reduction of focus on evangelism led to missed opportunities for reaching individuals who might have been engaged through more direct outreach. This contributed to a noticeable decline in church membership and an increase in those identifying as “Nones,” or having no religious affiliation. The focus on assimilation rather than evangelism and teaching has been linked to a broader trend of declining biblical literacy, with minimal percentages of churchgoers possessing a strong biblical worldview and a significant drop in church attendance and engagement.

MOVING FORWARD
To address these challenges, churches need to reconsider their approach to small groups. Small groups should be pivotal in discipling believers, offering essential teaching, nurturing spiritual growth to maturity, and equipping members to be effective ambassadors for Jesus Christ. They also play a significant role in fostering and deepening fellowship among church members, supporting one another through life as brothers and sisters in Christ.

Furthermore, small groups should serve as intentional avenues for evangelism. By creating a welcoming and intimate environment, they allow members to build genuine connections with non-believers and extend invitations for them to hear a comprehensive presentation of the Gospel. Integrating these elements—discipleship, deepened fellowship, and intentional evangelism—into the small group structure, and equipping members with training in relational evangelism, will help churches better fulfill their mission of making disciples.

The enduring mission of the church lies not in how well it integrates new members (which is important) but in how faithfully it reaches out to the lost and equips believers to carry the message of Christ into the world. For too long, the focus on assimilation within small groups has muted the church’s voice in evangelism, leading to a generation that knows how to belong but struggles to believe deeply or share the gospel effectively. The church must reclaim the true purpose of small groups — not just as places of connection, but as training grounds where believers are equipped to engage the world with the life-changing truth of the gospel.

Scotty