This is Kerrick Thomas with our final small groups question of the week. I hope that what we’ve been discussing has impacted you in a way that will translate into more effective small groups for your church. If you missed any of this week’s blog entries make sure to scroll down and check them out!
Question #3: We need twice as many small groups next semester if we want everyone in our church to be able to join. What’s the best way to double our number of groups?
There’s a common misconception around this question. Many pastors think that the way to increase their number of groups is to split/divide existing groups. It’s not! People hate group splits and they seldom work in the long run.
The key to quickly producing more small groups is to multiply small group leaders. How? By identifying them in current groups and raising them up to take on the responsibility of leadership.
At The Journey, we have learned how to raise up new leaders through lots of experience. New York is a transient city. People are always moving in and out, which poses a leader problem for us. In 2007, we lost over 60 strong small group leaders to moves. Can you imagine losing 60 leaders in a year? Needless to say, we have had to learn how to be continually raising up new leaders.
Here are some of the principles we live by:
1 – Don’t set the leadership bar higher than it should be. Our small group leaders aren’t required to be Bible scholars, counselors or have the gift of teaching. We simply ask that our leaders love God and people, and that they understand how to facilitate discussion. We let the curriculum be the teacher and give every leader the freedom to say “I don’t know.” If you keep your expectations for your small group leaders at a manageable level, you’ll have many more potential leaders to choose from.
2 – Make sure every group has a “Coordinator.” Create an official position within each small group where someone who would make a good leader serves as the current leader’s assistant/apprentice. The coordinator can get experience by leading one or two discussions during the semester and being involved in the details of running a group. By the next semester, he will be ready to lead a group on his own… with a coordinator.
3 – Keep current leaders on the lookout. At the beginning of each semester, let all of your current leaders know that you want them to be on the lookout for those in their groups who may make good leaders in the future.
Just over half way through each semester (6-8 weeks in), contact all of your leaders and coordinators. Ask them directly 1) if they plan on leading the next semester and 2) who in their group would make a good leader.
4 – Make the BIG ASK. When you ask potential small group leaders to lead for the first time, don’t ask apologetically or tentatively. You are giving them the opportunity of a lifetime; you are challenging them to take a bold step of spiritual growth – one that is important for them personally and for your church collectively. Approach potential leaders with confidence!
If this week’s posts have helped you turn some needed attention to your small groups system, let me encourage you to keep the learning going! Check out my and Nelson’s new book, Activate: An Entirely New Approach To Small Groups. I promise that you will find tons of information that will help you create an extremely effective, life-changing, God-honoring small groups system – one that includes every single person in your church!
Have a great weekend!
Kerrick
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