How to Use Special Days to Launch Groups
If you’re like most churches you’re now convinced that an
annual church-wide campaign (an alignment) is a great way to help start new
small groups. That jury is already in.
The question most are asking is what’s the best way to start
groups the rest of the year? The
answer? Any way you can…but there is
another little known and way underused strategy that is so simple and yet sooooo
effective.
What’s the strategy?
Use special days like Mother’s Day and Fathers Day to jump start small
groups. It’s not even very hard. Take a little preparation. Add a
decision or two. Throw in a couple weeks’ of promotion. Make a
quality “ask” and you’ve got the
toe-in-the-water experience that many people need to take the first
step. Why wait until September? Here’s what to do to use this
strategy and
launch groups on Father’s Day:
First, make a decision.
You can use Father’s Day to launch men’s small groups. Or you can use the day to launch couples’ or
mixed groups. More on that in a
minute. For now, just figure out which
of the two you’d like to start.
Second, choose a plug-and-play curriculum for your new
groups. It’s very helpful to select a
DVD-driven study for these toe-in-the-water groups. There are some really good studies out
there. I’ve got some suggestions right
here. Don’t overcomplicate this
step. The key is to choose a curriculum
that is easy to use on a topic that the group you’re targeting will be
interested in.
Third, start promoting the opportunity a week before
Father’s Day. This year Father’s Day is
on June 15th. Provide an
insert in your bulletin to take sign-ups to come to a connecting event the week
after Father’s Day.
Fourth, on Father’s Day continue your promotion of the event
but add this detail. Have your pastor
refer to the power of being in a small group in the message. A simple
story or an illustration. Have the men take out the insert. “If
you’re not in a small group and you’re
ready to take this step you can join us at the connection on Sunday,
June 22nd. Just fill out this insert and drop it in the
offering at the end of today’s service.”
Fifth, send a reminder letter (and email) to all of the
sign-ups on Monday, June 16th.
Call all of the sign-ups on Saturday, June 21st.
Last, host a small group connection on Sunday, June 22nd. This step can be as easy as pre-selecting a
few leaders who will help get the groups off to a good start or you can do a
real connection and identify new leaders right there on the spot. Either way, or anywhere in between, you’ll
end up with a great opportunity to help a wave of people take first steps in
getting connected in a small group!
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