All small groups in the local church are, or could be, places of faith formation and disciple making. By offering a more intimate setting, small groups of every kind are uniquely able to welcome and nurture people in the church and in the faith. This Guideline is designed to help implement and guide the work of the ministry area.This is one of the twenty-six Guidelines for Leading Your Congregation 2017-2020 that cover church leadership areas including Church Council and Small Membership Church; the administrative areas ofFinance and Trustees; and ministry areas focused on nurture, outreach, and witness including Worship, Evangelism, Stewardship, Christian Education, age-level ministries, Communications, and more.