Open New Windows of Opportunity with This Strategic Tweak

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I want to pitch an idea at you today.  I was inspired by a quote yesterday and it got me thinking about the way most of our small group ministries operate.  Here’s the quote:

“We live in this “what is” reality, and then we talk about things like creating culture, making history, creating the future, and we don’t realize that we actually do not have the fundamental core values of a “what if” culture because they violate our core values that protect the “what is.”  Erwin McManus

A “what if” culture.  I love it!  And I hope you do too.  Can we think “what if” for a few minutes?

The Idea

The network of small groups in many churches is often one of their greatest untapped resources.  Since small groups at their core are much more than learning and caring communities, they have an innate (but often dormant) potential to play a part way beyond meeting to study something and eat chips and salsa.  See also, Skill Training: Healthy Groups Integrate Four Components into Every Gathering.

With me so far?  Every small group has the potential to play a part way beyond meeting for Bible study and fellowship.

What if we could activate the innate (but dormant) potential to play a far greater part?  What if we could build in a few simple steps that helped the groups in our ministries move in the direction of impact?  What if helping them move from consumer to contributor turned out to be far simpler than we ever imagined.

For example:

  • What if your senior pastor challenged every group member to meet someone new in the auditorium every weekend; to learn their name, write it down, and remember it the next weekend.  Think it would warm up your auditorium?
  • What if every small group identified a family or two to bless with a little extra care?  It might be groceries, or babysitting, or car repair.  Who do you think would benefit the most?
  • What if every small group got involved with Compassion and sponsored children from the same communities?  Can you imagine what might happen next?
  • What if every small group a single mom or dad and helped fill the gaps?
  • What if every small group found a senior adult to provide for?

Every small group has the potential to play a part way beyond meeting for Bible study and fellowship.  See also, 5 Keys to Becoming a More Caring Group.

The best part?  We get the opportunity to help awaken their innate (and often dormant) potential.

What do you think?  Have an idea?  You can click here to jump into the conversation.

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