A practical form for collecting and organizing group members' basic information
by Erin Brownback
One reason for meeting in small groups is so that group members can really get to know one another on a deeper level. This is a subtle process that takes time, but it can start with a straightforward understanding of the basics. Below is an Information Sheet that you can copy and use to find out a little more about each person in your group.
Do you have a system for celebrating your group members every year?
by Erin Brownback
Too often birthdays are just one more item to squeeze into our already overflowing bag of to-dos and things to remember. I have several friends who make a vow each year to get better at celebrating others, but unless we have a plan our intentions will fall by the wayside as the year goes on. So here are a few simple tactics to help you communicate love and importance to the members of your small group—at ...
Apply the success of Saddleback church to your small group program.
by Brett Eastman
I can remember it like it was yesterday. I had only been on staff at Saddleback Church for a few weeks when I learned that over 800 men from our congregation were planning to attend the Promise Keepers rally in Washington, DC. I suggested we try to launch some new small groups among the men going to the event. Over 300 said they were interested, but I only had half a dozen men to lead them—the ...
Grouping people based on their affinity to each other can lead to strong, long-lasting groups.
by Don Cousins
In small-group ministry, a variety of groups can be formed. The most common are heterogeneous groups, which aim for diversity among the group members, and homogeneous groups, which bring together people with similar backgrounds and characteristics.
The concept of homogeneous groups is simple: college people are more likely to get along with college people, singles with singles, and homebuilders with ...
Adapt this sample form to announce and promote small groups in your church.
John R. Throop
Note: This article has been excerpted from the SmallGroups.com Best Church Practices training tool Small-Group Ministry.
Small-Group Ministries at Community Church John Smith, Leader of the Small-Groups Ministry Team Mary Jones, Small-Groups Coordinator
The Small-Groups Ministry Team wants to help everyone at Community Church find and be a part of an active small group. We believe small groups are the ...
Don't let people fall through the cracks of your small group ministry.
Boyd Pelley
I love orange juice and we were out, so I stopped by our local grocery store and went to the freezer unit to grab a couple cans of concentrate. I walked up to the glass door and peered in. It was gone! What, no orange juice! We have a great grocery store, and I know that if I go back today, chances are there will be a full shelf of orange juice concentrate. Why? Because I know my grocery store chain ...
Tips for buying an "off the shelf" small group management system
Dan Lentz
Many years ago, I entered my first church experience as a small group director. Part of my job description was administration of our church and small group database. Initially, we managed everybody's personal information with hand-written records. Over time, we advanced to word processors and spreadsheets. Even with computerized files, much of the record keeping revolved around maintaining multiple ...
Crossroads Christian Church of Evansville, Indiana, addressed the challenge of gathering, tracking, and maintaining a database for small groups by building our own database.
How It Works
Jack Arney, our church staff member in charge of software development, customized a tool to meet our specific needs. Using a program called FileMaker Pro, he created two databases:
"SMALL GROUPS" is our name for the program that tracks every individual enrolled in a small group. In this database, we can find, for example: - What groups any individual has joined - Which active constituents of the church are in a group and which are not (helps with shepherding)
We're the only couple with children, and we can't afford a babysitter every week.
Michael C. Mack
Q & A...
My wife and I are the only ones in our group with children who need babysitting. We also can't afford a babysitter every week, so my wife and I trade off—she attends one week and I attend the next. We're never together in the group anymore, except at the end-of-the-year get-together. Any suggestions?
Child care is one of the biggest concerns in many small groups. It can be a divisive ...
Printer view of these results
