I first connected with Interfaith America (then Interfaith Youth Core) more than 15 years ago. Then, IFYC helped me co-found Michigan State University’s first Interfaith Council, which continues today. After graduating, I began my nonprofit career while also organizing Muslim community. I recently reconnected with my interfaith roots as an Emerging Leader, by hosting an interfaith exchange through a Building Interfaith America Emerging Leaders Grant, where I connected with a few of my Bahá’i neighbors, including Briana.
Together, we discovered a shared perspective on today’s widespread injustices and unraveling institutions. We see hate and fear trying to trump love and hope. But our faith traditions ground us in this moment of poly-crisis, and we believe faith-based small groups can help counter polarization and isolation by reorienting us toward self-growth and beloved community.
Our faiths and common values give us what feels like life vests in turbulent times, and we want to share this with others. Small groups can help us rise to our best selves, while forging diverse friendships (like ours) that can withstand attempts to tear us apart.
Small groups are nothing new. People have always gathered around common interests. Small groups have long taken many forms — Bible studies, prayer circles, service groups, and more — but all foster growth both individually and collectively. Small groups are co-led by regular community members, not teachers or clergy. This decentralized model can fuel a strong sense of belonging — especially in our era of America’s loneliness epidemic.
Small groups not only address our innate need for connection but can also help people sustain their faith journeys long term. This is particularly noteworthy given declining religious affiliation (as Pew’s latest Religious Landscape Study indicates, younger Americans are less religious on average than older ones. Larry Osborne explains in his book “Sticky Church” that the North Coast Church small groups program has been the primary driver of sustained growth, from a hundred congregants to more than 10,000 regularly. More than 80 percent of members participate in weekly (sermon-based) discussion groups. They have made church membership “sticky” and have fueled life-changing relationships at scale, for tens of thousands.
We have had a similar experience in our Muslim and Baha’i’ communities in Washington, D.C. Baha’i study circles are lay-led and neighborhood-based, with content from a central entity called the Ruhi Institute. This helps small groups scale up across many neighborhoods, cities, and even nations. Meanwhile, Center DC’s small groups have engaged 1,000 diverse Muslims (including some “unmosqued” participants who wouldn’t otherwise religiously affiliate) in our transient city through this unintimidating model.
We have organized and participated in such groups for more than a decade and have experienced their transformational benefits ourselves. Now, we want to encourage others to organize small groups too – both within and across faith traditions.
Here are three tips for interested readers:
- Encourage groups to meet consistently, but not indefinitely. Many of us initially set high goals when we want to build new habits (like New Year’s resolutions), then fall short because we are over stretched, or just when life just gets busy. Help participants succeed through a seasonal rather than indefinite calendar. Peer-led small groups rely on the active participation of everyone, and meeting seasonally — like weekly gatherings for a few months, then taking a break before the next season begins, with new content and new groups — ultimately helps people follow through.
- Divide group responsibilities so many people cultivate leadership capacities. One person can be the physical space host for example while another is the group coordinator. Then, each meeting is led by a rotating facilitator, so each group member facilitates at least once per season and can share their unique gifts.
- Practice shared worship, intentional activities and truth-seeking conversations. Small groups can be spaces to share our full selves, while expanding our spiritual capacities. Participants can go deep quickly while reflecting on life’s biggest questions and putting their values into action. These out-of-the-ordinary conversations between ordinary people can beautifully reveal our shared humanity.
Recent Interfaith America articles have underscored the need for more civic coalitions in this divisive moment. We agree and think small groups are a singular space to flex our pluralism muscles. By starting locally, we can add up to national impact.
It’s easy to feel hopeless these days. But Margaret Mead reminds us, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” We invite you to join us in organizing small groups to explore their full potential to better ourselves and our country in this moment of urgent need — as faith-rooted members of humanity.
Nada Zohdy is an Interfaith America Emerging Leader and a community builder with 15+ years of experience in Washington D.C., where she has supported global nonprofit democracy and leadership networks, and serves as Community Architect and a board member for her faith community organization, Center DC. Her personal mission is to foster personal development through diverse communities.
Briana Gardener is a digital media artist and photographer based in Washington D.C. Her passion is figuring out how art and communication can be applied intentionally and intelligently for social change.
