Casting a Vision for Group Multiplication

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Practical advice for shifting the culture and focus of your ministry

Rick Howerton | posted 4/20/2009

Topics:	Goals, Launching, Multiplication, Planning, Preparation, Strategy, Vision
Filters:	Coach, Director, Pastor, Start
Purpose:	Ministry
References:	Matthew 9:36-38
Date Added:	April 20, 2009

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Spreading the Word

Once you've identified the new values that you want to communicate to your coaches and group leaders, the next step involves the actual communication of those values. When something is part of an organism's DNA, it is always there. We only recognize that something is part of us when we are reminded of it.

Try these ideas to continually remind your group coaches and leaders of the value of multiplication:

When you recruit a new coach or small-group leader, make sure they know that multiplication is an expected responsibility.
Model group multiplication as you lead your turbo groups or first-generation groups.
Make it a requirement that every group start with an apprentice or have one in place no more than two months after the group's first meeting.
Highlight the value of group multiplication during small-group leader and coach retreats, at monthly huddle meetings, and any other training events your ministry hosts.
Add a section concerning multiplication to any weekly reports that are turned in by small-group leaders.
When meeting with small-group leaders and coaches individually, discuss the birthing of new groups with them.

As you seek to communicate the value of multiplication, your coaches will be invaluable allies. Ask coaches to proactively discuss the birthing of new groups when meeting with their group leaders. Here are a few questions they can use that will effectively create a conversation about multiplication:

How do you think your group will respond when it comes time to multiply?
You know that we ask groups to multiply so that we can make small-group life possible for more people. When is it that your group is due to plant a new group?
How can I aid in helping the people in your group understand the importance of planting a new group?
When do you think your apprentice will be ready to lead a group of her/his own?
When your group multiplies, how many people do you anticipate going with the new group?

Finally, the different parts of a church's ministry offer many ways to help shift your small-groups ministry to a multiplication mentality:

During worship services. Ask the senior pastor to publicly affirm group leaders when they birth a new small group. This moment of affirmation could come as a sermon illustration, or at the beginning or end of a service. You can also have "Small-Group Sunday" and use part of the service to affirm the groups and group leaders that have birthed new groups that year.
Prayer. When meeting with a small-group leader, pray specifically for the group's health when they enter the multiplication phase. Set aside time when meeting with coaches to pray for groups that are about to multiply. You can even ask the church to pray for small groups that are in the process of multiplying.
Verbalize the vision. Statements that capture your vision for small-group multiplication will be helpful. Something like this will work: "Imagine a city that is experiencing not just revival, but reformation, because every one of our small groups invites unbelievers into group life and multiplies every 18 months."
Create heroes. Identify those who are parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents of small groups and make them the champions of your ministry. That is, highlight the people who have birthed multiple generations of small groups.
Electronic communication. Send out e-mail blasts celebrating a group that has just birthed. Or if you Twitter, send a tweet when you're on your way to celebrate with a small group who is planting a new small group through multiplication.

Rick Howerton is author of Destination: Community and a Q & A panelist for SmallGroups.com.

Discuss:

What is my first reaction to the term multiplication? Why?
Is it time for our church to shift the focus of our group ministry toward multiplication? How do we decide?
Which of the steps listed above will be most helpful for our particular church culture and ministry setting?

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April 23, 2009 3:05 PM

Sonja

I've been looking for a way to get group members past the fear of "splitting". This may provide the solution.

April 23, 2009 7:34 AM

JT Perkins

I would like to thank you for this article. It has opened my eyes to a new perspective regarding multiplication of the ministry for which I am the leader of. For many years I have wondered why the growth process was not as fruitful as it should be, well, now I know why. The Lord has blessed you with such wisdom and for this - I am grateful. The first thing that leaders should recognize is the mere fact that this can not be done alone, it must be joint effort. To teach this growth process would help a number of small groups how to grow as well as being healthy during the process. Be blessed and again, Thank you.

April 22, 2009 3:05 PM

Kirsten

While I thoroughly understand the "multiplication", two things that must be addressed is both the grief and the group dynamics that happen when a group--splits. These people are in relationship, more than just classmates in a study, and therefore will experience grief to lose members, even if there is a commissioning to send out on the multiplication mission. Also, when a good group stays together and naturally invites people because, of course, they enjoy the experience and want to share it, the dynamics change. Its almost impossible to schedule 18 people's calendars and so consistent attendance is affected as well as the relational interaction when not everyone is present consistently.