Encouraging people to start new small groups is a key to getting everyone connected.
by Stacie K. B. Maslyn
In Luke 14, Jesus tells a parable of a man in need of guests for the elaborate banquet he had prepared. To get these guests, he sent his servants out into the streets and alleys of the town to bring anyone they could find to his table. He told them, "Go out to the roads and country lanes and make them come in, so that my house will be full."
Pastor Kerry Shook shared this vision on a videotape given ...
Here's how to successfully "birth" a new small group from an existing one.
Eric Metcalf
First love often seems perfect in our minds—the season, the romance, the memories. For many people, their first small-group experience also seems perfect. They wonder, "How could any group be as good as this one?" That's why birthing a new small group can be a scary proposition.
For those of you who have had a child, your first birthing experience is vividly etched in your minds—crazy, ...
The life cycle of small groups has been studied by a variety of researchers, both secular and religious, for several decades. Here are some of the models they've come up with.
David Limiero
The life cycle of small groups has been studied by a variety of researchers, both secular and religious, for several decades. Christians can benefit from the extensive research done in this area, as the basic phases of group life cycle are generally agreed upon by most group theorists.
Each theorist, however, divides the life cycle into slightly different numbers of stages, and proposes slight variations ...
Small-group cycles are much like the stages of life.
Michael C. Mack
The small group goes through stages of life, much like a person does. It is not surprising that people pass through different levels of understanding and ability. Two year olds are not expected to have the same tolerance level as 32 year olds. Likewise, in small-group ministries, we should not expect a recently formed group to "have its act together" the same way a long-standing group does.
An overview of the stages a small group goes through.
Michael C. Mack
Small Groups are not static organisms. They go through stages of life like any living organism. Groups have a life cycle from birth through infancy and adolescence to adulthood and sometimes, death. Leaders especially need to realize this. Knowing the pattern will help leaders accept their group wherever it is and press on for further growth and fulfillment.
These stages are flexible and are not intended ...
Ask these questions about your group to determine if it may be time to split-up, bring in new people, or focus on a new purpose.
Keith Wright
Great things happen in small groups! Danger arises when you enjoy what's happening so much that you become a "holy huddle".
Ask these questions about your group to determine if it may be time to split-up, bring in new people, or focus on a new purpose.
1. Has your group become a clique? Signs of a clique include inside jokes, no newcomers in years, and less involvement with other's in your church fellowship. ...
Birthing a new small group can be exciting; it can also be painful.
Murphy Belding
Birthing—that is, multiplying—a new small group can be one of the most exciting events in the Christian life. It can be a painful experience too. Leaving our Christian friends who have shared our lives is tough. The process is much easier if we focus on others instead of ourselves. Here are some thoughts to keep in mind as you birth your next small group.
Great Commission leaders must be influencing those "allotted to your charge" to become multiplying leaders who will at the same time develop a multiplying strategy to reach the world for Christ.
Rod Dempsey
When you think of difficult tasks, what comes to mind? Becoming a violin virtuoso? Competing in the Olympics? Building a house? Having a great marriage? Raising kids? Maybe it is patting your head and rubbing your stomach at the same time! Go ahead; try it. There are many difficult challenges in the world today. Life is not easy.
When it comes to the church, one of the most difficult challenges that ...
"Charles" is the pastor of a growing, mainline church near my home. I met with him this week to talk about his home fellowship groups. The goal of this church's small groups is to be evangelistic and multiply. The problem is, more than six years after the launch of the small group program, the groups have achieved neither. My job, if I choose to accept it, is to find out why, to offer some insights, ...
Darryl's group is too large, but he doesn't have an apprentice; what should he do?
The Small Group Network Community
Darryl's group has grown large, to the point where most group functions are awkward (it's hard to find a host home, only a few participate in group discussion, prayer times are very superficial, etc.). Unfortunately, Darryl has not cast the vision for group multiplication and he does not have an apprentice leader. Darryl senses the urgency to do something, but what?
Printer view of these results
