| Pathway Beginning A Group Becoming a Healthy Group Building Leaders Blessing Your Community Overview of Group StagesThis section will provide articles and tools that apply to where your church is on the pathway to a healthy, reproducing, small group ministry. The first section, "Beginning a Group (0-6 months)," helps those responsible for the ministry to get some early success in getting things rolling. One key initial insight: if you try first to identify potential small group leaders, train them, and then launch them in small groups, your success may be greatly limited. Why? Because where are the leaders? They are either too busy, in an existing small group, or uninterested. Look for upcoming articles on how to launch an explosion of new leaders. The section, "Becoming a Healthy Group (6-12 months)," is for churches with existing small group ministry—you've got a ministry, say, but it's not running as well as it could. Perhaps you're stuck on finding curriculum or creating a one-year plan. Or perhaps your small group ministry has become a place where every small group "does what is right in his own eyes." There's hope. Look for practical, helpful articles that can transform your ministry from "good enough" to dynamic. The third section, "Building Leaders (12-24 months)," is just that. It provides more sophisticated ideas and training on building a small group leadership system. At the heart of every effective small group ministry is leadership development. Everything rises or falls on whether this is working well. The final section, "Blessing Your Community (24+ months)," is all about passing along the blessing of God and helping others transform their community through community. As your small group ministry develops and transforms lives and your community, then the natural step is help others do the same. |
Transformation Takes Time
Our small group, like most small groups, is comprised of
people with varying degrees of Christian maturity. One lady arrived as a
spiritual seeker. Within time, she committed her life to Christ and was
baptized. . . .
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| When You Realize Numbers Don't Matter
Every time our church tried to launch a new small group
ministry, we failed. Things never turned out the way we hoped. For our fall
launch, we began planning five months in advance, which left us feeling like we
had things under control. . . .
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| "Dude, I Can't Shepherd a Small Group!"
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. . . .
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| Why Small Groups Are a Big Deal
There is no simple solution to growing a healthy, balanced
body of believers. However, a thriving small group ministry may be one of the
best ways to fulfill the biblical purposes of the church—and solve many of the
issues of evangelism and stewardship that can confound pastors. . . .
Read More |
| A Simple Picture of Success
When I first joined the staff at Saddleback Church.
Rick told me he reserved seats for over 800 men on 7 different 747s headed to Washington, DC
for Promise Keepers. . . .
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| | From Dream to Reality
Most leaders who dream of "finding a shepherd for every
sheep" find themselves a bit lost when it comes to starting small groups.
You're not alone. . . .
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Five ways your small groups can turn this movie into ministry
by Brett Eastman, CEO and Founder of Lifetogether
This Easter may be the biggest opportunity for small group ministry, yet.
Mel Gibson's The Passion of The Christ grossed $23.6 million opening day. This one-day sale rivals blockbusters like The Matrix Revolutions, The Lord of the Rings, and The Phantom Menace.
The numbers may baffle Hollywood, but for months churches across the
nation have been anticipating America's rush to the theaters.
Both Rick Warren and Bill Hybels hosted private
viewings of the movie for several thousand pastors to help launch a
wave of spiritual renewal.
You and your small group members will never have a
better opportunity to share the life-changing story of Jesus Christ.
Those you've invited or those who have attended on their own have seen
the heart of Christ through the film; now let them see Christ incarnate
through your life in your home. Here are some practical ways that you
and your small group can make the most of The Passion and grow your small group ministry in the process.
1. Rally your group leaders and pastoral staff.
Gather all your small group leaders and ministry
leaders, and take them to the movie. Even if it's for the second
time—this time it's for others. Afterwards, have dinner or dessert to
discuss the film. Together pray for Easter and how The Passion
will and can affect your services. No doubt this Easter more people
than ever will end up in a church. Don't let your ministry be left
behind.
Cast a vision for your leaders of how their small
groups and classes can begin to respond to seekers' questions. It's
essential that the leaders in your church catch the vision for this
opportunity.
2. Give your small groups a taste of applying The Passion to their lives.
For each small group leader, buy either Saddleback's The Passion, the Purpose and Person of Jesus Christ Small Group Study or Lee Strobel and Gary Poole's Experiencing the Passion of Jesus.
Challenge them to go through the first lesson in
their group. This will help them take what they've seen and begin to
think more deeply about the implications of what Christ did for us on
the cross.
3. Help your small group members invite their friends.
Your members will likely need assistance in
thinking strategically about the right people to invite. I recommend
that you focus on those you perceive to be lukewarm Christians and
spiritually open seekers. Give each church member a sheet of paper and
have them create five circles with these labels: friends, family, work,
hobbies/activities, fellowship. Go to www.lifetogether.com
for a simple worksheet. Ask your group to list a name or two under each
category. This exercise can be done in a few ministries in any group,
class or even weekend service. Rick Warren at Saddleback did this one
time during a Sunday morning service. The results were amazing.
Then, ask your members to invite these people to the movie and to a dessert or brunch in their home.
For free downloadable invitations they can use, go to: http://www.outreachmarketing.com/print/.
4. Keep the invitation to a one-time discussion only.
Invite individuals to a one-week—not a three-week
or six-week—discussion. Most people won't say yes to a long study, but
they will commit to a one-time meeting in a home. Simply ask them to
come discuss the movie with a few friends over dessert and coffee. At
the end of your discussion, invite them to additional weeks for more
conversation. Many will return after the first meeting. Any group or
class could do this as a group and then with some
uncommitted/unchurched friends in their homes or on campus. This
creates a welcome wave of new people for an outreach opportunity.
The movie doesn't call for a response, but every
Christian and many seekers will be challenged to say, "So what? What
difference does it make?"
5. Prepare your members to tell the rest of the story.
Plan on bringing small group members to church on
Easter, which will be very Passion-centered this year. Launching new
small groups after Easter is a natural step. You may want to have your
group or groups study Lifetogether's Growing to Be Like Christ—a
six week study on the next steps in following Christ. The study will
challenge new Christians and lukewarm believers to start growing in
their walk with Christ.
Even strong believers who view this film will be challenged to take their relationship with Jesus to the next level.
Don't miss this opportunity to use your small groups
Sunday school classes to reach out and launch new groups during this
turning point in history.
Have fun sharing The Passion together!
Copyright © 2004 Lifetogether. |
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You Get What You ExpectHow to raise the committment of your new recruitsOne of the biggest hang-ups new group leaders face is confusion about what is expected from them—from their personal behavior to their attitude about the group. By having potential leaders sign a form like the following, all expectations are voiced up front, allowing opportunity for discussion and avoiding many potential negative situations. Reproduce this tool for each of your new leaders: Leader ValuesI will commit, to my best effort, in living an exemplary Christian lifestyle while supporting the Church's leadership and basic doctrinal statements. I will commit to learning and growing through my daily time with the Father and other coaching/training opportunities provided by the Church. I will commit to developing a co-leader/ host/facilitator (shared ownership)and Purpose Teams to cultivate a healthy and balanced group. I will commit to including new members and releasing mature members to start new groups over time (6-18 months). I will commit to seeking balance with both the Great Commandment and the Great Commission in my group (open chair and multiplication). Leader: Interviewing Leader: Click here to download the above form in a reproducible Word document. |
Wobbly Spirituality
6 steps for you to help your leaders grow spiritually.
By Brett Eastman, Founder and CEO, Lifetogether
When my daughter Michelle was diagnosed with
a form of cerebral palsy, we thought she'd never walk. But one day she
started getting up on her haunches and crawling. . .
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| Plugging the Leadership Leak
Why leaders need to set an example of community.
by Scott Mawdesley, Small Groups Pastor, Christ Fellowship
Is there enough time? I'm not sure what your lives are like, but mine is
progressively getting faster and more complex. . .
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| The Group that Serves Together Grows Together
Five ways to help task-oriented groups thrive.
by Brett Eastman, Founder and CEO, Lifetogether
Setting up task groups is a great way to develop a
growing number of faithful volunteers in almost any area of ministry. . .
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| The Sure Way to See Lives Change
How small groups can bring true transformation
By Chip Ingram, Living on the Edge, A Ministry of Walk Thru the Bible
Often I get into discussions with people about the early church. They say, "I wish we could be just like the early church. God was so alive, and he was doing such powerful things."
. .
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| Bad Days Are Sometimes the Best Days
And nine other lessons I've learned from my small group
by Brett Eastman Founder and CEO, Lifetogether
Two years ago when I met with my new small group for
the first time, I was so reluctant. I didn't know if I could ever find
the sense of belonging and spiritual family I had enjoyed with my
previous group. . .
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| Create a Caring Church
3 ways your small group can show love to the body of Christ
by Sue Dunn
If you want to create a church community that really
cares for one another, the best way to do it is through small groups. . .
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| Committed to Community
Why churches everywhere are discovering the difference relational ministry can make
by Dan Lentz
It seems like small groups are popping up
everywhere. And churches that have a recognized small group ministry
are becoming more the standard than the exception. Why is that? What's
going on? . . .
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| Front Porch Community
How small groups help people create healthy conversations
Intimacy may be a worthy goal, but small groups are
mostly about learning how to talk to one another. At least that's what
Joe Myers, "multi-preneur" and author of The Search to Belong: Rethinking Intimacy, Community, and Small Groups (Zondervan), believes. . .
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| Give Visitors a Reason to Join
MINISTER
Many people that visit but never return to a small
group do so because it feels cliquish. When visitors walk in to your
meeting, your top priority is to make them feel welcome. Greet them at
the door; give them a hug or a handshake and look them in the eye when
they talk. . .
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| Small-Scale Evangelism
MINISTER
How to show your group that being a light in the world isn't so scary
Does the very thought of sharing your faith with an
unbeliever make you sweat? If so, as a leader you understand exactly
what the rest of your group feels regarding evangelism. There's nothing
more important for a leader than empathy. . .
Read More |
| | Developing People
MOTIVATE
3 ways to encourage your group members to serve
As a leader, you are actually in the people
development business. Your role as leader is to motivate your group
members to discover and start using their gifts and abilities to
develop their own unique ministry design. . .
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| Jiffy Pop for Jesus
MULTIPLY
Encouraging your members to launch their own groups spreads their gifts and yours
Once your group members have discovered their ministry "SHAPE," why not set a goal one week that no one
leaves your meeting without a plan to serve over the next three months. . .
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| Be a Champion to Remember
Lifetogether's Brett Eastman recalls how his first Small Group Champion shared words that made a lifelong impact
Although I've championed small groups in several big
churches over the past decade, and even though it's been almost twenty
years since I led my first small group, I still remember the day I led
my first group like it was yesterday. . .
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| The Secret to Sharing Your Story
One skill every small group leader should have is
the ability to talk with unbelievers about your experience of God in
ordinary language that an unbeliever will understand. In the church we
use some specialized words like "repentance" and "being saved." . .
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| Tap on the Shoulder
The impact of a single questionIn this story, Brett Eastman, founder and CEO of
Lifetogether, recalls how one man's simple question produced a legacy
of life change:
I attended college in Southern California, and one
day (I remember this like it was yesterday), a guy named John tapped me
on the shoulder and asked me how I was doing spiritually. . .
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