There’s a peculiar image that comes to mind when talking about dying groups: the headless chicken. If you’ve ever seen one (and I sincerely hope you haven’t), you know it’s a bizarre sight. The chicken, having lost its head, still flaps and runs for a few moments—full of motion, but unmistakably dead. It’s a grim but fitting metaphor for many groups that appear busy, but have lost their life source.

So how do you know if your group is still alive—or just flapping around out of habit? Here are three signs that your group may be dying, even if the calendar is full and the coffee is flowing.

1. Activity Without Purpose

Busyness is not the same as fruitfulness. A group can have meetings, events, and spreadsheets galore, but if no one can clearly articulate why those things matter, it’s time to pause. Purpose is the heartbeat of any group. Without it, you’re just rearranging chairs on a sinking ship.

Ask yourself: Are we doing this because it aligns with our mission—or because we’ve always done it this way? If tradition has replaced intentionality, your group may be in trouble.

As Paul reminds us, “So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31, CSB). If the glory of God isn’t the aim, the activity is just noise.

And here’s the reality: even good things can become distractions if they’re not rooted in calling. A group that’s lost its “why” will eventually lose its “how.”

Why do churches have groups and group ministries in the first place? It’s because of The Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20). Groups are an expression of a church’s obedience to the command to “go and make disciples, teaching them to observe all I have commanded…” If we aren’t pairing evangelism with discipleship, but settling for fellowships and fun, we’ve forgotten why groups exist in the first place.

Groups have been a part of God’s plan for His church since the very first days of the church (read Acts 2:42-47). There was preaching taking place at the temple courts (notice that is plural); Apostles were proclaiming Christ in public settings, but there were also smaller gatherings in homes.

Groups will continue to be part of his plan for His church until He sends His Son back to claim His bride, the church. But groups shouldn’t meet simply to meet. They meet to encourage one another to love and good deeds, to share the gospel, and to disciple believers into maturity. Don’t get me wrong – I love a good fellowship! I love that we pray for one another. But that’s just a part of what groups should do.

2. No New Life

Healthy groups reproduce. That doesn’t always mean numerical growth, but it does mean fresh ideas, new voices, and emerging leaders. If your group hasn’t welcomed anyone new in months—or years—it might be coasting toward irrelevance.

Stagnation is a silent killer. It creeps in when the same people do the same things with the same results. Eventually, the energy fades, and the group becomes a social club for the already convinced.

Jesus said, “Just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:34–35, CSB). Love invites. Love includes. Love multiplies.

If your group isn’t creating space for others to belong, it’s not just missing growth—it’s missing the gospel.

3. Loss of Vision and Voice

When a group loses its vision, it loses its voice. You can tell when this happens—conversations become reactive instead of proactive. Meetings focus on problems, not possibilities. The future feels foggy, and no one’s quite sure what’s next.

Vision gives direction. Without it, even the most passionate members will eventually burn out. If your group isn’t dreaming anymore, it’s not living—it’s surviving.

Proverbs 29:18 says, “Without revelation people run wild, but one who follows divine instruction will be happy” (CSB). A group without vision may still be moving, but like our headless chicken, it’s not going anywhere meaningful.

And when vision fades, cynicism often creeps in. People stop believing change is possible. They settle. They disengage. That’s when the slow death begins.

Final Thoughts

If any of these signs hit close to home, don’t panic. Death isn’t inevitable—but resurrection requires honesty. Take time to reflect, re-center, and reimagine. The same God who breathes life into dry bones can breathe life into your group again.

Just don’t settle for motion. Choose meaning. Choose mission. Choose life.