Churches all over the nation are recognizing a need to get small groups going in their congregations. As people sense a desire for deeper relationships within the body of Christ, interest in the movement is rising. But getting small groups started in a church and keeping the groups healthy are two completely different jobs.
As head of Touch Outreach Ministry, my job is to look at churches that have ...
Integrate your relationships to make them more effective.
by Randy Frazee
Lifestyles today make integrated and interdependent relationships hard to create and maintain. The absence of this interdependence makes us hunger for community. Most of us manage "linear relationships."
Randy Frazee, author of The Connecting Church, describes linear relationships as running "from one relational unit to another. As you exit one world and enter another, there may be some mention of ...
Get tips on how to lead an effective small group even if you don't think you're ready.
by Brett Eastman
Some of you have been leading groups for six years—hosting is old hat for you. Some of you have been doing it for six months and may be looking to become a better host. And some of you just completed your first six-week study and, frankly, are still recovering from the experience.
Some of you may have stories like mine: John, who was a leader of a college group I was in for six weeks, tapped me ...
Real commitment can lead to a deep small group experience.
by Life Together
I got involved with my small group about one year ago. At first, it seemed like the group wouldn't be able to relate to one another. There was such a mix of ethnic groups and varying ages; we also had a mix of both singles and couples. But I quickly found that we all shared one desire—we all wanted more of the Lord in our lives.
So we made a commitment to one another. We decided that for the six ...
Move from being a small-group leader to truly caring for your people.
by Michael Mack
God's Word is rich in its discussion about shepherding. Moses, David, and Amos served as shepherds, and all were influenced by that role in their leadership. The title of shepherd is applied to God, Jesus, kings and other leaders, local church leaders, and ministers (not necessarily paid staff members).
What is a small group shepherd?
For you to fully understand your calling as your group's shepherd, ...
Making a lasting impact requires close relationships.
by Life Together
As you plan your role in your church's small group ministry, it's important to remember the key principle behind your role as spiritual mentor: More time spent with fewer people has a greater impact. Let's break this down:
1. The starting point of all effective mentoring is RELATIONSHIP. Mark 3:14 says, "And he chose 12, whom he named apostles. 'I have chosen you to be with me,' he told them. 'I will ...
Truly loving people in the midst of persistent sin is easier said than done.
by Life Together
When Allen first met Steve, they were in high school gym together. Steve was quiet and insecure, with few friends. Then Allen began to include Steve in his social life. At first their mutual love for partying drew them together. But as Allen started to grow spiritually, he lost interest in drinking and wild parties. In college, they drifted apart.
When Allen reconnected with Steve after college, Steve's ...
Respond well when you are having a difficult time in your place of ministry.
by Cory Whitehead
Do you ever get a case of "ministry blah"? Never heard of this nasty sickness? I define the "blah" as "a consistent discouragement with your place of service—often accompanied by repetitive complaining." It can be further defined as "feeling like your ministry is useless, that you're not supported, and that no one else cares."
Unfortunately, my immune system isn't always strong enough to fight ...
Good relationships begin by someone being welcoming.
by Life Together
Moving from out-of-state to a new area was such a transition. In addition to a new job and new schools, we would have to find new friends. Family seemed so far away.
And, oh, that dreaded first Sunday at a new church. Thank God for that one person, Steve, who went out of his way to welcome us. He even invited us to his small group meeting that night, offering to share his babysitter to assist us with ...
How stepping out of her comfort zone yielded amazing results for one small group member.
by Life Together
I oversee small groups made up of married couples as well as ones that are mixed with couples and singles. Because of this, I'm often visiting different groups to check up on how they're going.
One visit that sticks out in my mind is when I went to a group at Rancho Santa Margarita. The people attending the group represented a whole spectrum of ages and ethnic varieties. We spent the entire evening ...
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