Associations like Vincent de Paul Society, Legion of Mary, Charismatic Renewal Groups, Youth Associations etc. have existed for many years. Some think that these are enough. They do not see the need for SCCs while others consider SCCs as another association. It is the task of the SCCs and other associations and organizations to continue the mission of Christ in their locality and make Him visible to all peoples.
1. COMPARATIVE REFLECTIONS
        What have you to say about the state of parishes with the three different situations given below

Associations only ?	Small Christian Communities Only?	Association and Small Communities
Membership is voluntary, optional Members come from different parts of the Parish, may be even from the neighbouring parish. The charisms of some are brought to the service of the community since only few are involved in it. Togetherness is found more in the Assns. The community remains anonymous, individualistic, as though Baptism does not call all to belong to community. Only a few joining, may mean that baptism does not invite all to active involvement, or that participating in the missionary mandate is voluntary. The few active ones are overburdened. Assns. are founded for special tasks. e.g. Youth, women, poor etc. Based on its constitutions Assns. meet in the Church premises. May not be necessary to do Gospel sharing. Hierarchical leadership e.g. President, Vice-President etc.	By birth and Baptism we are incorporated into an SCC. Members are from the neighbourhood. One is born into a SCC. The charisms of all are brought to the service of the community. Everyone experiences a sense of belonging and sense of mission. It forms all the believers in an area into one Body and witness together in service. Mission is seen as a common responsibility. Everyone is trained and encouraged to participate in the various needs of the community. Talents of each member is also used for common good. SCCs are concrete expressions of the Church and are responsible for all the tasks of the Church in their neighbourhood. Has no constitution, the Gospel and the laws of the Church are its foundation. SCCs meet in homes in the neighbourhood. Bases its life and action on Gospel sharing. Practice team and rotating leadership. Leadership means upbuilding, empowering all.	All belong to one or other SCC. All may not belong to Associations. Everyone belongs to a SCC. Assns. give members a chance for deeper commitment. SCCs and Assns. together activate the charisms of all in the community for the common good. SCCs with Assns. working together create a greater sense of belonging and mission in the community. Assns.  continue to build a strong sense of unity. SCCs together are responsible for the whole mission of the parish. Assns. undertake specialized tasks which are beyond the reach of ordinary community. Together there will be a stronger sense of the Church and mission. Assns. show a more demanding form of Christianity. Together they can bring about greater response to the needs of the community and be a sign of unity within the Church. The influence of Gospel Sharing in SCCs enriches the spirituality of Assns. and enhances their sense of community and collaboration with the rest in the SCC. The leadership style of SCCs can enhance the Assns.

Analyzing the above comparative chart we find:

1. The SCCs decentralize and organize the parish better. This is a special function of SCCs.
2. SCCs are a means for evangelization, for a  more profound communion, a sign of vitality and a new hope for the church. In this way the Holy father John Paul II gives SCCs a unique and important place in the parish life.
3. SCCs have a special place and role in the parish. It makes the parish more alive.
4. Associations deepen ones missionary spirit and commitment.
5. Both SCCs and Associations need to co-exist in the parish and work together.

2. DIFFICULTIES THAT ARISE BETWEEN SCCS AND ASSOCIATIONS
i. Problems that may arise :
a)  fight for importance.
b)  undue preferences or prejudices by priests, parish council.
c)  overburdening of Associations with all tasks.
d)  members of various groups seeing each other in polarizing way – we and you.
e)  lack of co-ordination and clarification of roles.
f)   division of tasks.
g)  Too many meetings, often on the same day.
h)  Feeling of inferiority.

ii. Reasons for problems
a)  Lack of clear understanding of the church.
b)  Lack of understanding about what SCCs and Associations are.
c)  Power politics.
d)  Absence of good leadership and formation.
e)  Lack of co-ordination and guidance.
f)   Priests and parish councils making preferential choices without understanding the role of each Association and SCCs.

iii.  Solutions which may be helpful
a)  Formation for clergy, parish council and Associations members about what SCCs, are and what Associations are and about the way they can co-exist.
b)  Good and regular formation.
c)  Parish council co-ordinates the functioning of these bodies, ensuring smooth functioning and co-operation.
d)  Trained leadership-rotating and team leadership.
e)  Openness to discuss problems and find solutions.
f)   Praying together.
g)  Doing some parish activities together.
h)  Associations promote SCCs and vice versa.

Conclusion:
Both SCCs and Associations are important and have their own roles in building community and fulfilling the mission of the parish community. The Church teachings since Vat. II have emphasized the need of SCCs and has called them concrete expressions of the Universal Church – Miniature Churches (RM 51) – to bring about unity, participation, and parish renewal which embraces all in the neighbourhood. It is also to be recognized that many Associations have a long history of existence and service. Now the Church wants both SCCs and Associations to function as complimentary and mutually supportive bodies, enriching and strengthening the parish community.
Since each SCC is the Church in the neighbourhood it is therefore responsible for the missionary mandate of the Universal Church in their respective neighbourhoods. This mandate is the responsibility of all as the Church is by its very nature missionary (AG 2). Associations help the SCCs in fulfilling this missionary mandate and offer a more challenging form of Christian living and witnessing both at the level of the SCC and at the level of the parish. It is to be appreciated that this missionary mandate is not a case of either of the two, but the collaboration of the two: SCCs and Associations.