You've been planning your groups launch for a while. In fact you started last year.

You think you've got all your ducks in a row.

But...in the back of your mind...you have this nagging feeling that you might have forgotten something.

Maybe I can help! And maybe you can still adjust your plans to keep your groups launch from bombing.

5 Reasons Your Groups Launch May Bomb

1. Failing to choose a topic that actually appeals to unconnected people.

This is the number one reason your groups launch may bomb. And while every once and a while a topic that you think will work well just doesn't, the truth is, with a little empathy we can usually (but not always) bypass the disconnect and select the best choice.

Failing to choose a topic that actually appeals to unconnected people is the number one reason your groups launch may bomb Click To Tweet

Hints to pay attention to:

• Your existing group leaders aren't usually very good at picking topics that unconnected people will find helpful or interesting. There are exceptions, but existing group leaders are often too separated from the real world of unconnected people.
• Senior pastors each have their own sensitivity to the interests and needs of unconnected people. Sometimes they are very tuned in (their message series are often a gauge) and other times they are more tuned in to the interests of the usual suspects.
• Developing a short list of unconnected people is your best tool in identifying the topic(s) that will appeal to unconnected people.

2. Failing to promote at the right time and it in the right way.

Poor promotion will cause your groups launch to bomb. Remember, unconnected people are almost always infrequent attenders (i.e., they are only in the auditorium about one time a month (or less). That means you cannot promote your launch on one weekend and then move on. In addition, unconnected people often arrive late. That means announcements may happen before they even arrive.

Unconnected people are almost always infrequent attenders (i.e., they are only in the auditorium about once a month (or less). That means you cannot promote your launch on one weekend and then move on, Click To Tweet

Hints to pay attention to:

• Schedule three weekends to promote your launch. And while you're at it, be sure you're scheduling an all-church email (or two) during the three week run to catch those who won't be with you during the three weekends.
• The best time to promote your groups launch is during your senior pastor's message. It is the element that has the attention of the largest number of unconnected people. And your senior pastor is the influential person in the congregation 99% of the time.

3. Promoting other programs or events at the same time always leads to less traction and engagement.

The myth of providing the customer with multiple options is a myth. The truth is narrowing the focus to highlight the best option is what leads to greater engagement.

Promoting other programs or events at the same time always leads to less traction and engagement. Click To Tweet

Hints to pay attention to:

• This is true year-round in all types of churches. Choosing an aspect to highlight and giving it exclusive attention leads to greater engagement.
• A high-level directive to predetermine strategic ministries and programs to highlight at a given time will pay big dividends.

4. Failing to provide for the obstacles unconnected people face.

Failing to provide for the obstacles unconnected people face (or believe they face) will cause your groups launch to bomb. Childcare, financial constraints, and convenience are three important obstacles.

Failing to provide for the obstacles unconnected people face (or believe they face) will cause your groups launch to bomb Click To Tweet

Hints to pay attention to:

• Childcare is an ever-present obstacle. True, everyone finds a solution when they really want to, but it is an obstacle at this point.
• Budgeting to provide reduced expense for first time participants or incentivizing hosting a group may not be part of your current plan, but will be if you are to truly move ahead.
• Offering connecting opportunities at a convenient time is important. There may come a time when the urgency of a need will overcome inconvenience, but it is rarely in the beginning.

5. The absence of a growth mindset.

If you only do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always gotten. If your groups launch is only designed to help groups that have been on a break get going after a summer or holiday break, you may miss the fact that your launch could be about much, much more.

The absence of a growth mindset will cause your groups launch to bomb Click To Tweet

Hints to pay attention to:

• Every groups launch ought to be about launching more new groups to connect more unconnected people.
• Every groups launch should include a goal (i.e., for the number of new groups, number of newly connected people, etc.).

Further Reading:

Does Your Topic Connect with Your True Customer?

Evaluate the Connection Potential of Your “First Step out of the Auditorium”

What If Narrowing Your Focus Is THE Missing Piece?

Could Our Lack of Empathy Be Limiting Our Ministry Impact?

6 Keys to Accelerating Small Group Ministry Growth and Impact