Transcript Developing a Small Group Ministry

Developing a Small
Group Ministry
Bob Mayfield
Arizona Southern Baptist
Convention
Seminar Agenda
Types of small groups
Small group structure
7 Deadly Sins of a Small Group
40 Days of Purpose Small Groups
Discovery Communication techniques
How many of you have small
groups in your church?
Types of Small Groups
Name some different types of small groups
Discipleship Groups
Accountability Groups
Support Groups
Men’s/Women’s Groups
Open Groups
Sunday School
Prayer Groups
Why Are You Doing Small Groups?
Small Group Structure
If you believe that small groups require
directive, supervisory leadership move to
the left side of the room.
Move to the right side of the room if you
believe that small group ministry requires
a supportive, uncontrolling style of
leadership.
In your group, discuss why you believe this.
Small Group Models
Church with groups
Help people find place
Centralized placement
Reactive Leaders
Curriculum chosen by
leader
Low authority of church
over group
Group based evangelism
is possible
Low monitoring of groups
Church of groups
Building community
Group invitation
Shepherd leader
Curriculum recommended
by church
Low authority of church
over group
Group based evangelism
is encouraged
High monitoring of group
Church IS Groups Model
Primary expression of the church
Groups assigned by geography, group is
responsible for enlisting people
Pastor-shepherd leaders
Curriculum designated by church
High authority of church over group
Group based evangelism expected
High monitoring of groups
A church WITH small groups = turf wars
A church OF small groups = a network of
smaller communities within the church
A church IS small groups = the group is my
church
Critical Question for Small
Group Success
What kind of small group would you
rearrange your schedule for?
Seven Deadly Sins
of Small Groups
Sin #1 – Unclear Ministry Objectives
Leaders can’t agree on purpose
Church members expect too much
attention from the pastor/staff
Those most committed to small group
ministry are getting frustrated
Small groups have a myopic vision & don’t
know their role in the church
Seven Deadly Sins
of Small Groups
Sin #2 – Lack of point leadership
The small group ministry lacks a
designated, passionate leader
Pastor and staff are uninvolved in a small
group
Distributing leadership, instead of having a
leader
Leader lacks clear objectives
Having a point leader or small groups leader
is not enough
You need the right point leader doing the
right things!
Seven Deadly Sins
of Small Groups
Sin #3 – Poor coaching structures
Burned out leaders
Small groups are too large
Leaders are unclear about their role
Leaders are seen as ministry channels,
not as people
Seven Deadly Sins
of Small Groups
Sin #4 – Neglecting Leadership Development
Too many people are uninvolved
No one knows or sees the leadership
potential of the church
Senior leaders are not modeling leadership
development
Many church’s use the “can the person fog a
mirror” as a criteria for small group
leadership
Leadership is too important to “throw”
people into. Leaders must be developed
Developing Leaders
Leaders require training!
Informal training is better than formal
“Turbo” leadership groups
OJT leadership groups
Expose leaders to churches or
conferences that will expand their horizons
Develop a leadership pipeline
Build a leadership culture
Leadership Culture
Annual retreats
Pilgrimages to Willow Creek, ACE, etc.
Involve leaders in special opportunities
Talk leaders up from the pulpit
Special informal times with leaders
(standing breakfast at a restaurant each
week)
Seven Deadly Sins
of Small Groups
Sin #5 – Closed Group Mindset
The “open chair” is merely symbolic
Leaders are untrained into how to invite
people into the group
Groups have little passion for seekers, or
even fear having seekers in their group
Unable to relate to the lost when they do
come
“Comfortitis” – the open chair vs my
reserved seat
Closed Groups
Group is shocked when seekers act like
seekers
Group sugarcoats its problems
Using “churchspeak”
Intimidates seekers with Scripture
More interested in studying “Revelation”
than in meeting seeker needs
Seven Deadly Sins
of Small Groups
Sin #6 – Narrowly defined “small groups”
“One size fits all” strategy
Narrow range of entry points into groups
Limiting what counts as a small group
Potential leaders are missed because of
narrow definition of small group
Seven Deadly Sins
of Small Groups
Sin #7 – Neglecting the Assimilation Process
Newcomers feel isolated, have difficulty
joining a group
No system in place to collect data on
newcomers
No “pathway” into groups
No person is following up on assimilation
Small groups is the key to an effective 40
Days of Purpose Spiritual Growth
Campaign
Thinking EXPONENTIALLY (2 Timothy 2:2)
Train your leaders
*ACE Conference
*Special training day for ALL group leaders
at the church.
Familiarize your leaders with the purpose of
small groups, the materials, how to lead a
group, and how to enlist a group
The Purpose of Small Groups in 40 Days
Involve a greater number of people in a
focused study
Increase the church’s “vision potential”
S-T-R-E-T-C-H
Discover new leaders
Engage people in community and
outreach
Materials for a 40 Days Small group
Purpose Driven Life, by Rick Warren
40 Days of Purpose small group study
guide
Video curriculum
Scripture cards/key chain
How to lead a 40 Days small group
Relax, and let Rick do the teaching
Facilitate discussion after the video
Do NOT sermonize or “teach”
Encourage less talkative people to share
Allow ample prayer time
Always remember that people are “cueing”
off of you. Consider your posture, tone of
voice, etc.
Enlisting your group – the real KEY to a
successful 40 Days
Institutional or Organic
Institutional – done through SS or sign up
sheets. Lots of “church” control
Organic – each host home is responsible
for enlisting their group
NO GROUP can be ALL church members!
Child-Care
Groups that meet on Sunday mornings,
Wednesday evenings etc can bring
children to church and then go to group
Hire teenagers to babysit in the host home
Hire teenagers to babysit in the home of a
group member, but NOT in the host home
Each family take care of its own childcare
Sample Small Group meeting
15-30 minutes – meal, refreshments, etc
15 minutes – CONNECT
35-45 minutes – GROW. Memory verse,
video segment, and discussion
10 minutes – SERVE/SHARE
15 minutes – WORSHIP. Discussion and
prayer
Bibliography
Arnold, Jeffrey. The Big Book on Small Groups.
Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1992.
Donahue, Bill and Russ Robinson. The Seven
Deadly Sins of Small Group Ministry. Grand
Rapids: Zondervan, 2002.
Stark, David and Betty Veldman Wieland, Growing
People Through Small Groups. Minneapolis:
Bethany House Publishers, 2004.
Warren, Rick. The Purpose Driven Life. Grand
Rapids: Zondervan, 2002.