- The term Primary Group is a sociological term that denotes a group of people who have a common cause that holds them together. There are many examples of Primary Groups, some of which are easily identifiable, while others you may never have thought of.
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- Large extended families
- Small rural communities
- Clubs (e.g. R.S.L.)
- Senior leadership groups in Denominations, Movements and Para-Churches
- Small churches
- Senior management in large old established businesses
The concept of the primary group was introduced by Charles Cooley, a sociologist from the Chicago School of sociology, in his book Social Organization: A Study of the Larger Mind 1909). Cooley argued that the impact of the primary group is so great that individuals cling to primary ideals as groups become larger and more complex and even create new primary groupings within formal organisations.Even though Primary Groups can and do have a positive influence on those involved they also create pressure to conform. Many people go along with the majority regardless of the consequences or their personal opinions. This process of group think can endorse a single explanation or answer, usually at the expense of ignoring reality. Strong Primary Groups do not tolerate dissenting opinions, seeing them as signs of disloyalty to the group, so members with doubts and alternate ideas do not speak out or contradict the leader of the group, especially when the leader is strong willed.These Primary Groups are integral to all Churches, no matter what the size. Churches under the 200 size (worship service attendance) are usually made up of one strong Primary Group and a small number of other people trying to find a way to connect. For a Church to cross the 200 barrier, it is necessary for a multiplication of these groups. This is not as easy as it sounds as we will see as we look at some of the characteristics of Primary Groups as they apply specifically to churches.1. Size:
The upper limit of the primary group is approximately 60-80 adults. It can be smaller but at the upper limit it begins to lose collective control and starts rejecting new life. If a Church is only one Primary Group it may talk about evangelism and growth but its incorporative history would call these statements into question. If a congregation remains in this position for too long, it builds up its own local theology to justify this inactivity.
2. Security:
There is a tremendous sense of belonging in a Primary Group. The group is held together by:
a)Blood ties. In some congregations more than 50% of the people come from the same family – the only way to get into that church is to marry in, and even that’s no guarantee. You may get to heaven by going to that church, but it’s unlikely you’ll ever be a part of it.
b)Traditions. Primary Group Churches that are a long way into the 30 year cycle have set up many traditional hurdles for entry and acceptance into the group. The outsider knows very quickly that there are rules for joining this group but, because they come from the collective history of the group, they are difficult to unearth unless the outsider is committed to a long term process. These traditions hold the Primary Group together and give security – but they can exclude the person who is not a part of that Primary Group.3. Familiar Strangers:
Those in a Primary Group know a lot about one another but have not come by that information from the person involved. Self-disclosure and contact on an intimate level is very rare. Seldom is there a place in the structured life of the group to express the difficulties all humans face in life. This can lead to:
a)A troubled life with a thin veneer of religiosity.
b.A system where the pastor becomes the priest to hear confession.Somehow those who are not in the group have difficulty putting this all together, especially when the pulpit preaching doesn’t line up with the congregational life.
4. Culture Caring:
These groups draw their identity from the past and interpret the present by values drawn from the past.
History is reviewed regularly:
Remember the time we had such and such an event.
Remember the Billy Graham Crusade – how many of us came to the Lord.
Remember when we all got together to put this building up.
Etc,As good as all these things are to the insider, they are of little significance to the outsider who wants to be a part of writing history now. It is possible for the group to make the outsider merely a spectator.
5.An End in Themselves:
These groups need no excuse for their continued existence, as being is more important than doing. In many ways the group is happy with its existence.
They have survived and in some ways thrived with the passing of time.
Their identity is still intact even though:
Denominations have pressured them to change,
Student pastors have continually practised on them,
Pastors have run off with their women and money.But as strong as they may be, finally their future is in jeopardy with this kind of mentality.
6.Territorial Identity:
These groups have a strong sense of ownership regarding buildings, space, material things, etc. Names all over the property designate ownership and function:
This is our building.
That is my seat.
This piece of furniture was given in memory of … and it is to be used only for this purpose.
This group paid for this and so it is their property.If you are not one of the Primary Group and do not know the history of the property, you can cross the lines of acceptable behaviour without even knowing it and find that all of those designated places and things are saying to the outsider “No Trespassing – No Entry.”
7. They are very resilient:
– They can exist for a long time and often only cease to exist when most of the Primary Group has left or died.
8.They are Hard to Grow:
No matter what their philosophy or theology says, the Primary Group will remain resistant to those outside the group. This is not an intentional situation; it’s an historical situation. To even consider crossing the 200 barrier, knowledge of primary groups is absolutely necessary. To cross the 200 barrier a multiplication of primary groups will take place. It is worthwhile noting that as each new Primary Group is birthed, the above characteristics will quickly appear.
Because churches under the 200 size are predominately one Primary Groups it is very difficult for the Church to grow. The options open to a leader are:
Be honest, accept the reality that the Church won’t grow and do enough to keep the Primary Group happy while learning to play golf.
Work out how to start and grow new Primary Groups from those outside the original Primary Group. Never stop forming new Primary Groups.
Speed up the rate of growth through new people.Spend a few minutes to reflect on the following questions…
What are you doing to improve your understanding of Primary Groups?
What are you doing to identify the characteristics of your Primary Group(s)?
Who are the leaders of the Primary Group(s)?
How do you plan on dealing with the inhibiting aspects of the Primary Group(s)?
Who can help you work on a strategy to grow the Church in the light of what you have learned about Primary Groups?
Colin Noyes is the Director of ResourceZone International. He has thirty-five years of ministry experience as a pastor, college lecturer and consultant/coach to consultants, denominational leaders and local church pastors. He can be reached at info@resourcezoneinternational.com
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