On Replication...

In Bob Hill's December 2004 issue of Covenant Group News, Bob mentions on program consultant's use of the term "replication" as an alternative for group division.

Everyone says we can't get UU groups to grow and divide. I believe this is because most people are working on the level of growth and division of groups. In small group ministry, if you want open groups that are connected to your congregation and continually grow, you have to focus on the replication of leaders.

As far as replication goes, the biological model of cell division does this perfectly. As part of the life cycle all healthy cells (think groups) replicate their DNA in the form of chromosomes (group members), in order to divide into two. They also work with two essential structures in the cell which govern the processes of division. These cell community leaders form links or "relationships" between the chromosomes. Then each of the two cell leaders guide their half of the group to one end of the cell. Once they have migrated to the two poles they settle into two core groups. Once this happens and the two groups have stabilized, a wall is formed between the two. When the cell wall forms the result is two copies of the original cell.

The big lesson?

In the life cycle of the group (or cell) it is the successful completion of one stage of the life cycle that drives the next. For details on the life of groups following the cellular model read my January 4, 2003 notes on Small Group Biology.