Q & A Discussion | Train | SmallGroups.com

Discussion

Q & A

Q & A Discussion: Reid Smith

How can we get more people involved with our church's small-group ministry?

Reid Smith responds in our Q & A discussion

by Reid Smith responds in our Q & A discussion.

Topics:	Affinity groups, Attendance, Growth, numerical, Multiplication, Visitors
Filters:	Coach, Group Leader, New leader, Train
Purpose:	Discipleship
References:	Acts 2:42-47 , Hebrews 10:25
Date Added:	June 29, 2009

Add your own comment

Total Reader Responses: 1 (see below)

This is a great question we all need to ask ourselves repeatedly. We want an ever-growing number of people involved in our church's small-group ministry because that means more people will experience Jesus' presence and power working in their lives.

You can approach this question both philosophically and practically. I will focus on the latter, but sum up philosophy with these suggestions: 1) Expand your definition of small groups and your vision of community, 2) Give people freedom to easily enter and exit groups by offering a seasonal small-groups calendar, 3) Make your strategy flexible, 4) Open your groups, and 5) As your ministry grows, let it diversify.

Now let's take a look at some practical ways you can help people get connected:

Personal invitation. There is no greater "strategy" than one friend encouraging another to journey with him/her in Christian community. People are much more likely to participate in a group if they have a friend partnering with them in the process. This also creates built-in encouragement so that new members don't drift away or drop out.
Affinity groups. These groups are formed on the basis of what people hold in common—including gender, marital status, age, parenting issues, season of life, and so on. Shared-interest groups are a form of affinity groups and are organized around things like hobbies, intellectual pursuits, recreational activities, etc. These kinds of groups have a magnetic force that attracts and bonds people together.
GroupLink. This is a 1–2 hour "connection event" that allows participants to spontaneously start a new small group together. Group hosts are appointed during the event itself and a shorter-term (6 to 8 week) study is distributed that new groups use for their first "season" of life together. The short duration and high meeting frequency of this approach fits the fast-paced American culture and helps to jump-start groups in a way that gives them staying power.
Affinity-based, mid-size special events or courses with small-group breakouts. As a church, host educational or social gatherings that are interactive in nature and would be attractive to different affinity-based people groups. These usually involve a larger group component, which can be live or video-driven, paired with a breakout for group discussions. The goal of these events is to design an environment where connection happens informally and naturally between potential group members. Toward the end, you can offer opportunities for people to join a small group that fits thematically with the event and allows participants to build off of what they just experienced.
After-service ministry fairs. Get people while they're at church! Invite small groups and ministry teams to represent themselves wherever people exit after weekend services and invite them to check out different ways to get involved. This can be done in a fair-like fashion one or two times a year. It allows the whole church to actually meet existing group leadership and survey what's currently available. Some people need this personal touch before they feel comfortable enough to commit.
Newcomers' dessert. Host a relaxed, 90-minute gathering at the church every 6 to 12 weeks in honor of newcomers. Have your church staff present, offer a variety of desserts, and provide free childcare. This helps newcomers feel more at home and gives you an opportunity to get this "instant affinity group" fired up about plugging in and being a part of your community life.
Bible reading plan / chat groups. These are casual and culturally-fitting gatherings that are attractive to people who want to remain in the driver's seat and start off with a lower-level of commitment. Chat groups meet weekly for an hour or so in local coffee houses. Participants read and discuss a book of the Bible or work through a shorter-term study.

Posted: July 08, 2009

Mark Haley- www.discipleworkstoday.com (Guest)

I have two additional ideas to consider. 1. Have an on-line group finder where people can search for a group that meets their needs. 2. Create short 1 minute video clips to show during your service to be able to showcase different groups that are open. This will continue to encourage more people to get involved with one of your small groups. This can also be done with a short slide show. The more you can show people what is going on the more they will be willing to get involved.