smallgroupleaders

Hi friends

I wanted to let you know this website is back in business.  We want to use this to serve you and equip you as you lead your group.  I plan to publish monthly.  I also plan to hear from you what best serves you.

If you have not looked around in a while, take a minute to peruse all the great resources present here.

Mark

Thanks to everyone for participating in our first-ever Small Group Leaders Seminar. I was so encouraged to see us all together, learning how to serve our groups more effectively. I hope you found our time valuable and want to make our next one even better. Would everyone please send me your number one suggestion for improving our next seminar? This would be a great help. Just type in the box below and hit comment. I want to serve you well.

ps. Thanks again for making those precious memories!

Please plan on participating in our first Small Group Leader Seminar, next Tuesday (October 7th) from 7:00pm to 9:00pm at the church building.  This is for both men and women and we will meet in the Children’s Ministry area.  You can enter the building through the main entrance.  Our topic will be “Worship: The Most Awkward of Circles.”

Hey, some quick notes on the pastoral team’s thoughts regarding the size of our small groups.  This is a frequent question and touches on so many core concepts of our “ministry model”.  I promise…it’s not as mysterious as Starbuck’s approach (btw…did you know venti means 20…as in 20 ounces?  Am I the last person in suburbia to catch this?)

Let’s start with this phrase, “ministry model”, because I want to be clear that how and why we lead our small group ministry is one of many good models.  We happen to find our “model” most effective for our context.  It’s a model, not a law.  You won’t find recommended group sizes in the Bible…sorry, that would be so much easier.   We are attempting to accomplish biblical priorities (primarily here biblical fellowship) and this requires discernment and wisdom.  We are asking God what it would look like to live rightly, wisely, carefully, and faithfully.  The answers will vary from person to person and circumstance to circumstance.  This is, as simply as I can communicate, how we determine our ministry model.  We ask God and trust Him and walk humbly.  We are passionate about how God is leading us and what He has called us to do.  And we are grateful that God is working in different ways through different people.

Ok.  So how many people is the right number of people?  12.  Yup.  No…just kidding.  Again, I wish it was that easy.  Each group is different and fluid, changing even as I write.  No number is “just right.”  However, if we want people to enjoy close relationships, welcome new people, care for everyone, and fit into a house…we’ll then we might be able to set some guidelines. [count = number of adults members]

0-9        the group may find it difficult to gather momentum

24+        the quality of life within the group may degrade

There are a billion factors and assumptions built in here folks.  Please don’t create a big thermometer and begin filling it in as the group grows or shrinks!  I’m providing this only as ONE point of reference when you hear someone talk about a group being too large or small.  We have groups smaller than 9 adults that are experiencing much grace and some 14 adult groups that need help/multiplication/good wack on the head…no just kidding.  You get the point…don’t use these numbers as an absolute guide.

Hope this helps you as you lead.  Ask questions for extra credit.