A church needs to carefully consider the risks and benefits before launching a group.
by Randy Christian
Support groups cost something. They tax the entire system of the church. A church may be flush with excitement at the prospects of helping a needy group, but if a church is not ready, a new support group can do more harm than good. We are wise, then, to count the cost of support groups before we start them.
After starting more than two dozen different support groups in our church, I've learned what ...
Small groups are an essential part of children's ministry.
by Dave Staal
During a recent toy repair project at home, I shared the recipe of two-part epoxy glue with my eight-year-old son. "When both clear gels are mixed together, they become super strong." At the time, though, I didn't realize that I had accidentally glued a screwdriver to the table.
Children's ministry also has two key ingredients that, when mixed together, make it "super strong": 1) creative, relevant ...
Support groups are an essential part of your church's ministry in a world full of hurt.
by Randy Christian
I watched the TV screen scroll through the public-service announcements, finally seeing the one I'd been looking for: "Divorce Recovery Group," it read, with information and the name of our church below. In the past year I have received dozens of phone calls regarding this group, and more about others we sponsor. It's one way our church is responding to the needs around us.
An innovative small-groups ministry for a neglected group of people
by John J. Van der Graaf
Late one July afternoon, as another recently divorced woman left my office wiping tears from her eyes, it struck me that people like her really had no place of their own—particularly in church. They didn't fit in single's groups comprised mainly of young adults never married. They didn't feel fully accepted in the church's family activities. In the one place people come to seek support and solace, ...
Once upon a time, someone tried to start a "small group program" in your church and it failed miserably. The whys and wherefores of the failure are irrelevant. The fact is, though, now you are stuck with the ever-present naysayers whose mantra is, "We tried that…." In spite of that, you know small groups are still the most efficient way to disciple, so you are committed to a resurrection. The ...
Taking the right steps, in the right order, can resuscitate a fading small group ministry.
Reid Smith
One of the greatest mistakes made by church leaders who want to reintroduce a small group ministry is that they make their first step an announcement from the pulpit. I have talked with dozens of pastors who took this well-intentioned step and it had catastrophic results because those who had a less-than-favorable experience felt disregarded, retired leadership felt dismissed and residual leadership ...
I hear it all the time: "We've launched 25 new small groups. How can we help them continue to meet?"
With the development of the HOST strategy, it's not hard to launch a wave of new small groups. In fact, it's very easy to do—that's the upside of using hosts. The downside is that the groups come with a life expectancy of about six weeks.
That's right—six weeks. You may be wondering, Isn't ...
God has ways he wants to use us if we are willing to follow his leading.
by Life Together
Amy had completed a year of leadership in a women's ministry at her church. When asked to lead a small group of stay-at-home moms, she immediately agreed. Days earlier, she had felt the Holy Spirit nudging her in this direction.
The announcement was made, and many women eagerly joined when baited with free babysitting. Bible study and fellowship with other women was a satisfying break during those ...
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