Discovering What’s Next in Small Group Ministry
I am a huge fan of innovation. I always want to try out the newest gadget. I love seeing what the new thing can do. I even love trying new foods. Although I have my favorites, if I see what I think will be a great new combination of tastes on the menu, I’ll pick that a lot of the time.
I’m like that in ministry, too. Let me hear about a new way of doing things, a new strategy that seems to be working, and I’m just curious. I want to discover what’s next.
After meeting with Tim Sutherland while candidating for the position at Parkview, he told the rest of the team, “Just know that if you hire Mark Howell you’re hiring a mad scientist.” I loved that! I want that on my business card!
I want to find strategies that work better. That’s why I test new ideas when they come along. That’s why when I began hearing about the Small Group Connection I wanted to try it. I was in a church that was too large to know all of the potential leaders. The Connection identifies leaders during the event. What’s not to like about that? Admittedly, when the Host strategy first came along I wasn’t quite ready to ditch the Connection idea, but I did like the idea that HOST connects people who don’t come to the event. That’s a big idea.
I’ve got 3 articles that I really want you to read. All three are about exploring what’s next in small group ministry. I really hope you’ll take a few minutes and read them. It just might be that they’ll help you re-think an area where you’re stuck:
- This Road Doesn’t Go There.
- Escaping the Straight-Jacket of Conventional (GroupLife) Thinking.
- The Unexpected Twist in Saddleback’s Exponential Growth Formula.
I write what I write because I want you to succeed at what you’re doing. I want all of us to connect more people, to make more disciples, and to impact our communities. And I’m convinced that the next idea might make it happen. I want in on that. And I hope you do, too.
