FROM MASS TO COMMUNITY: SMALL GROUP STRATEGY AS MITIGATION FOR SPIRITUAL ALIENATION IN THE DIGITAL AGE

Evans Winata

doi:10.61992/jpp.v5i1.327

Evans Winata Doctor of Theology, Sekolah Tinggi Teologi Anugerah Indonesia

DOI: https://doi.org/10.61992/jpp.v5i1.327

Keywords: spiritual alienation, small groups, church growth, member integrity, digital literacy, ecclesiology

Abstract

The digital era presents a paradox: unprecedented connectivity coexists with profound spiritual alienation. Contemporary churches, particularly those exceeding 200 members, increasingly experience "crowds without community"—high attendance coupled with shallow relational engagement. This qualitative study analyzes the limitations of mass-oriented ministry models and proposes small group structures as strategic solutions. Drawing from theological foundations (Acts 2:42-47; 1 Corinthians 12:12-27), sociological theory (Dunbar's Number), and empirical research, this paper demonstrates that churches prioritizing secondary orientations (buildings, finances) over primary missions (spiritual formation, discipleship) risk organizational dysfunction and spiritual superficiality. Small groups (8-12 members) provide intensive spiritual formation through authentic fellowship and organic integrity monitoring through relational accountability, while addressing contemporary challenges including digital literacy deficits and civic responsibility formation. The study concludes with a paradigm shift from organizational mass structures to organic relational networks.

References

Bird, W. (2014). The multi-site church revolution. Zondervan.
Bonhoeffer, D. (1954). Life together: The classic exploration of Christian community (J. W. Doberstein, Trans.). Harper & Row. (Original work published 1939)
Bray, P. W. (2011). Improving the small group ministry of the Beulah Baptist Church, Douglasville, Georgia [Doctoral dissertation]. The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Chupungco, A. J. (1992). Liturgical inculturation: Sacramentals, religiosity, and catechesis. Liturgical Press.
Comiskey, J. (2012). 2000 years of small groups: A history of cell ministry in the church. CCS Publishing.
Congar, Y. (1997). I believe in the Holy Spirit (3 vols.). Crossroad.
Donahue, B., & Robinson, R. (2012). Building a church of small groups. Zondervan.
Dougherty, K. D., & Whitehead, A. L. (2011). A place to belong: Small group involvement in religious congregations. Sociology of Religion, 72(1), 91-111.
Dulles, A. (1974). Models of the church. Doubleday.
Dunbar, R. I. M. (2010). How many friends does one person need? Dunbar's number and other evolutionary quirks. Harvard University Press.
Earley, D., & Dempsey, R. (2013). Disciple making is... How to live the great commission with passion and confidence. B&H Publishing.
Gultom, J. M. P., & Simanjuntak, F. (2022). Pastoral strategies for the loneliness epidemic of the digital generation. Jurnal Jaffray, 20(1), 19-34.
Latini, T. F. (2013). The church and the crisis of community: A practical theology of small group ministry. Eerdmans.
Lifeway Research. (2023). Research reveals importance of small groups, evangelism, assimilation for church growth. Retrieved from https://research.lifeway.com
Lifeway Research. (2024). Small groups remain key aspect of churches' discipleship ministry. Retrieved from https://research.lifeway.com
McCown, K. (2025). She belongs: A women's Bible study on finding community in the body of Christ. Esther Press.
Meyers, J. R. (2003). The search to belong: Rethinking intimacy, community, and small groups. Youth Specialties.
Parkinson, P. (2025). The loneliness of the digitally connected. Cambridge Papers, 34(2), 1-8.
Sawyer, W. (2015). Christian spirituality and small group effectiveness. Emerging Leadership Journeys, 8(1), 1-21.
Song, F. W. (2024). Restless devices: Recovering personhood, presence, and place in the digital age. IVP Academic.
Turkle, S. (2011). Alone together: Why we expect more from technology and less from each other. Basic Books.
Walton, S. (2014). Leading small groups in the way of Jesus. IVP Books.
Werner, D. (2017). Leading different small groups differently in the context of the missional church. Journal of Religious Leadership, 16(2), 63-88.
Windle, B. (2023). Digital church in a lonely world. Barna Group.
Wuthnow, R. (1994). Sharing the journey: Support groups and America's new quest for community. Free Press.
Yakobi, L. (2021). Theology of ministry for small groups. Practical Theology, 14(3), 245-262.
Zizioulas, J. D. (1985). Being as communion: Studies in personhood and the church. St. Vladimir's Seminary Press.