Ellen Chat Conversation

The concept of small groups, or "small companies," is presented as a divine plan for Christian effort, intended to serve as the fundamental basis for church work. When a church becomes large, the organization of members into these smaller units provides a structure where individuals can work effectively for both fellow believers and those outside the faith (PH005 10.1). This method ensures that even if only a few people in a location know the truth, they can form a band of workers to maintain a bond of union and encourage one another (7T 21.4). Retention is addressed through the spiritual health of the individual member. In large congregations, many members often remain inactive, which leads to spiritual decline and inefficiency (8T 244.2).

Just as trees planted too closely together become sickly and require transplanting to flourish, members in large churches often need to be "transplanted" into smaller settings or new areas where their help is actually needed (3TT 248.1). By remaining in or moving to smaller churches, families avoid the temptation of spiritual inactivity that often plagues larger, crowded congregations (CL 23). Growth and retention are further solved by shifting the focus from being "hovered over" by ministers to becoming active soul winners. The most effective way to hold a small group together is not through constant ministerial attendance, but by inducing the members to maintain a living connection with God and exert their own influence to draw others to Him (PaM 263.4).

As these small companies labor in love and unity, their numbers naturally increase because they are operating under the promise of divine presence and assistance (7T 21.4). Furthermore, the small group model fosters a deep sense of brotherhood and mutual support that prevents discouragement. When larger churches support smaller ones, it creates a tender bond of love that eliminates jealousies and envies (MTC 141.1). While critics may point to the small size or limited means of such groups as a sign of weakness, the internal strength gained through mutual encouragement and shared labor provides the "character" and "vigor" necessary for the work to endure and expand (6T 100.3) (GW 431.2).

The growth of a group is fundamentally tied to the practical application of the principles it professes. When a group gathers, it provides a unique opportunity to illustrate living principles, such as health reform, through action rather than just theory. Growth is hindered when instruction is denied by practice, as faith without works fails to make a deep or lasting impression on those observing the group (6T 112). For a group to expand and retain its influence, its members must educate by practice as well as by precept. When visitors or new members interact with the group and see a consistent lifestyle—such as the abundance of healthful fruits, grains, and vegetables instead of unhealthful articles—it creates an opening for meaningful questions. This allows the group to plainly state the reasons for their practices, which serves as a powerful tool for education and growth (CH 467.1).

Furthermore, the internal health of the group members directly impacts their ability to reach others. Choosing a diet that preserves mental and physical faculties allows individuals to obtain relief from various ills and maintain their higher powers of being (CD 291.2).

When members are not "animalized" by unhealthful habits, they are better able to maintain the love and sympathy necessary for effective outreach and group cohesion (5MR 408.1). Ultimately, group growth occurs when members place themselves in a position where God can cooperate with them. This is achieved by denying perverted appetites and following the light provided regarding wholesome living (5MR 408.1). By obtaining nutrition directly from the sources God provided—grains, fruits, and vegetables—rather than through second-hand sources, the group maintains the vitality needed to flourish and attract others to the truth (TSDF 72).