I have just become the new pastor of our church's small group ministry after "growing up" in our small group system. My husband and I have been small group leaders and coaches for the past 10 years and have birthed six new groups. We currently have 350 members in our church with 18 small groups. Our groups consist of the "typical" home groups and "speciality" groups such as divorcees.
In the past, we had monthly gatherings where leaders would come together for training. These gatherings consisted of a 1½ hour meeting where our senior pastor would distribute materials and teach on leadership. We would then break into smaller groups and discuss certain highlights as he directed.
After being a part of this system for several years, I realized that our groups were not multiplying. There was a mentality that "staff" would implement and do the follow-through on any new ideas as well as introduce new people into the home groups. I wanted to create an atmosphere of excitement and help our leaders to start thinking outside the box of "top down" ministry and to involve them in the whole process from beginning to end. Our leaders needed a good dose of enthusiasm. They needed to change the way they thought about responsibility as a leader, and they needed clear direction for the coming year.
Here is what we did: We changed the way we planned leadership support events and made it a whole lot more fun for our leaders to be together. For this coming year, we will have 30 minutes of training and then transition to more hands-on, peer-to-peer experiential learning.
After sharing the development of the 2005 road map with the leaders in the January meeting, I had a wonderful response! Many of them volunteered to help with the monthly meetings. Even leaders that have led groups for years have expressed new excitement for the coming year. Rumors about new births are floating around. The process has now become so creative and fun that everyone who is in a small group has the desire to see others experience Christ in this context of community!
To give you a sense of the creativity and excitement that has come out of this process, here is a list of leadership support gatherings that are scheduled for this year:
January – New Beginnings
The coming year's plan was explained. We also addressed the urgent need of incorporating 11 new families interested in small groups. We broke into small groups and brainstormed about how to connect new people with groups. One of the suggestions on how to help connect new people will be implemented immediately. Our small groups will host a table in the lobby, and leaders will take turns hosting and helping people to connect.
Information about the concept of an apprentice was also shared. Leaders were asked to invite a possible apprentice to the February meeting for "Apprentice Bingo."
February – Apprentice Night
After our 30 minutes of teaching, we will break into small groups and play 3-4 games, including a customized bingo game. All of the games are geared toward the character and qualities of an apprentice. The evening will conclude by coming back together to answer questions. Of course there will be food!
March – Tool Time – "Is your tool box one tool short?"
(Effective tools for equipping leadership)
We will have our 30 minutes of teaching, then break into small groups. Each leader will receive a toy tool box. Inside each tool box will be "fake" tools. Each tool will have characteristics, qualities or helpful hints for effective leadership (i.e. "You need a mentor"; "You need an accountability partner", etc.)
April – School's In
The event consists of 30-minute workshops. Topics include conflict management, listening skills, personal growth, etc. Gifted leaders will present in each area. Participants can choose three of the four workshops. Of course, they will each receive a notepad and pen at the beginning of the meeting.
May – Get Out of Your Comfort Zone!
(Missions Mania)
Our missions team will come and introduce ways that small groups can become involved with missions locally and globally. They will set up a variety of stations with information about different countries and how we can impact that country. Of course, food is a great way to introduce a new culture! We will have "world" kickballs to remind us of all we have learned.
June – "Doctor, Heal Thyself"
(self care)
Leadership needs to take care of themselves—emotionally, spiritually, mentally and physically. A self evaluation will be taken to evaluate what areas need to be addressed. A toy stethoscope will remind us to take frequent self-checks.
July – Neighborhood Night
(Walk the walk, talk the talk)
We have just moved into a new neighborhood. We have talked about how to reach our neighborhood. Leadership must model reaching out so our groups can learn. Suggested community outreach ideas include: a bike clinic, a car wash with cookies and lemonade, washing windshields—the sky is the limit on ways to bless our neighbors!
August – Reach out and touch someone
The focus is to educate our leaders about local charitable organizations that might need our help. We will invite representatives from the local food bank, the boys and girls club, Habitat for Humanity, etc. and allow them to share how they impact our community and how we can bless them.
September – Family Affair
During the month of September, after each Sunday a.m. service, each home group will set up a booth. The congregation can visit the booths and inquire about that home group. It will be like a festival with balloons, food and fun! "Baby 101" (see November below) will be introduced. One of the ways that we can symbolically prepare for spiritual birth is by preparing our church nursery. We will be buying a large, durable changing table. We are asking leaders to prepare the spiritual nursery and the physical nursery. Learning to think outside of ourselves sets the example!
October – The "Presents" of the Lord
(Spiritual Gifts 101)
Our church will continue to explore the teachings of spiritual gifts. We will look at those gifts and take an assessment to help each leader fit into their own unique place in ministry.
November – "Baby 101"
(Preparing your Nursery)
In the past meetings, we will have discussed the birth of new groups. We will continue to dialogue about practical ways to prepare for birth. The gift of a tangible piece of furniture to the church nursery is symbolic of God's work in us spiritually.
December – Celebrate Good Times, Come On!
A wonderful time of reflection, sharing of stories and rejoicing over healings, salvation of souls and the birth of new groups. As we celebrate God's faithfulness, we will anoint and prepare our hearts for an awesome 2006 full of new growth, new life, new groups!
Note: Monthly training content comes from a variety of materials including resources like www.smallgroups.com and "Leading Life-Changing Small Groups" by Bill Donahue.
