Just because people are hesitant doesn't mean they're not ready to be small-group leaders.
by Brett Eastman
When it comes to small group ministry, the need for leaders is always great, yet people are often hesitant to take on this role. Being asked may open the gate to a herd of excuses:
"I'm just too busy."
"I don't have enough knowledge of the Bible."
"I'm not the leader type."
But as Rick Warren, pastor of Saddleback Church, says, "A small group leader doesn't have to be a spiritual giant, a Bible scholar, ...
A helpful overview of the basics of small-group leadership
by John Ortberg, Angie Ward, Kevin Rapp, and others
This guide is designed to help you equip your church to provide orientation and basic training to new small group leaders, and to help seasoned small group leaders refresh themselves on their responsibilities. You may use it either for a group training session or to give individually to small group leaders.
PREPARE FOR YOUR ROLE
The Big Picture of Small GroupsLeader, get ready to take part in a savory ...
This download features practical skills and advice that will help you improve as a listener. It also includes helpful ways to administer those skills in a small-group setting.
by Joel Comiskey, Doug Self, Pat J. Sikora, and others
If you lead a small group, you want to be effective in helping your members grow closer to each other and closer to God. If you coach small-group leaders, you want to be effective in supporting and equipping them for the task. But all of that can be short-circuited if you neglect the critical step of listening. ...
A collection of resources that can improve your listening skills and help you apply them in small-group situations
"Small Groups in Depth" collections are assembled by the editors of SmallGroups.com as a method of continuing education for people participating in small-groups ministry. Each collection offers step-by-step training on a specific ministry skill or practice. Individuals may read through each resource on their own as a method of self improvement, or may customize the articles, discussion questions, ...
The biggest problem churches face in recruiting small-group leaders is that they are confused about what they are looking for. It is as if they go fishing for trout using the tackle designed for walleye. They either don't catch anything at all, or they catch the wrong kind of fish. ...
Small Group Leaders: Check each item that applies to you. This "test" can help you think through some of the attributes of small group leadership. It can also help you consider some of the areas that you can work on to become a more effective leader.
Small Group Pastors/Coaches: Use the following test as a discussion starter with your leaders. Have them check all items that apply. This is not meant ...
Use the Bible to help identify leadership in your church.
Steven Reames
Here are a few methods and qualifications for small group leaders straight from the Bible.
Methods:
God raises up: "While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, 'Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them'" (Acts 13:2). God is sovereign, and we should not oppose whom He calls.
We raise up: "They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons" (1 Timothy 3:10). We identify people who might be leaders, give them a chance to serve, and then appoint them to a place of leadership.
Training is essential; here's how to get your leaders to come.
Michael C. Mack
We are having a difficult time at our church motivating group leaders to seek training. Most come to our monthly training meetings, but many others hardly ever show up. Additionally, we have offered optional Sunday-evening classes and area small group seminars for group leaders, but no one has came. There is a great need for training, but we just can't seem to drum up interest. Any suggestions?
An easy guide to selecting, training, and sending apprentices in your church.
Stan Lubeck
We live and die in the ministry based on the number of laborers in the harvest field. The Home Group structure not only provides a superior vehicle for providing quality care to every member in the church, it is also a fantastic leadership equipping environment where the burden of responsibility for the ministry is shared by many. Apprentices are a critical factor in the multiplication of Home Groups. ...
To be effective teachers, we need to capitalize on our strengths and minimize our weaknesses.
Len Woods
Every small group leader is unique—equipped by God with a one-of-a-kind combination of personality type, strengths, built-in weaknesses, and natural teaching style. To be effective teachers, we need to capitalize on our strengths and minimize our weaknesses. But we also need to remember that every strength has a corresponding weakness. Certain tendencies can detract from the mission we are trying ...
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