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)
Creating documents and systems that improve the health and strength of a small-groups ministry used to be a real chore. But now we've done the work for you! Our Best Church Practices download contains 16 policies and forms that can be fully customized to fit your church and ministry. These ...
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.
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 ...
Statistics force us to see the reality of what's occurring in our small groups program.
Joel Comiskey
Over the past few years I have tried numerous weight reduction programs. During those weight loss weeks, I have forced myself to get on the scale, knowing it would tell me the truth—the reality of the situation. In some of my heavier moments, I have avoided the scale like the plague.
The main reason to keep and review weekly small group statistics is quality control—to know the reality ...
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