A conversation with Matt Chastain, writer and director of Small Group The Movie, By Brad Bloom, Publisher
A lot of times a “small” group is considered… well, small! In some cases it’s little more than small talk, delivering small value and outcomes and certainly way too small to be God-sized. Matt Chastain thinks differently and he wants you to see his movie so you can discover the limitless capacity your small group has to do a really good work. Unlike (lead actor) Sterling Hurst’s biceps this movie doesn’t have a big agenda. It’s simply a great movie that takes viewers on an unexpected, fun ride that reflects Christ.
Listen to the conversation below as we discuss the movie. After you listen to Matt share here in Faith & Fitness Magazine and watch the movie (including at least once with your small group) I think you’ll discover how it can help you do your small group better. Small faith-centered groups, particularly when part of a recurring fitness activity can strengthen individuals and shape communities. This movie offers a compelling perspective into what small church groups often look like. We invite you to grow your small group into – – – exactly what Jesus Christ intends it to be. Get a front row seat to the future of a totally fit church.
“SMALL GROUP THE MOVIE defies the expectations many have for faith films,” said writer and director Matt Chastain, who also stars. ““I got the idea from my own experience in a small group. The less formal, more real and raw nature of small group culture just lends itself to more genuine storytelling that tends to be a bit of a surprise and a huge relief to viewers who are a bit skeptical of the genre.”
Documentary filmmaker R. Scott Cooper moves his family from Los Angeles to Athens, Georgia, after being hired to make a film about the dwindling influence of Christianity in America. Upon arrival, he learns that his producer, Ballard, intends to make a cheap hit piece rather than an objective documentary. Scott turns the job down to protect his journalistic integrity, but financial difficulties force him to negotiate with Ballard, who deceives Scott into believing that he will, in fact, tell an honest story.
To dive deeper than a public worship service will allow, Scott and his wife, Mary, infiltrate a small group at a local church, finding a group of imperfect people doing their best to live for Christ. As the Coopers’
SMALL GROUP ‘FITNESS’?
Should the church, both on an organizational level and as individual Christians be doing fitness? YES! Listen to my conversation with Matt Chastain above as I ask him to share more about incorporating the story element of the movie’s character Mary Cooper having a passion for yoga and opening her own yoga studio. He does a nice job of showing how one spouse can support the other in making a fitness passion an entrepreneurial venture and how a small group can be supportive toward it having community impact for Christ.
So, is Chastain a regular in the yoga studio? Ummm, no! But, he does like to get active in other ways both at the gym and home. He sent us a couple of videos that he has on his phone to share with Faith & Fitness Magazine readers. Looks like he’s got heavy lifting in the bag and certainly makes a splash as dad. Thanks Matt for illustrating that when you do small group wellness as Amia Freeman says, you “go small to go big.” CONTACT US for help in doing faith-centered small group fitness in your community.
