Small Group Ministry Roadblock #2: A Bloated Belong and Become Menu
Yesterday we began a detailed look at what I believe are the top 5 small group ministry roadblocks; the things that stand in the way of a truly thriving small group ministry. We began with a look at roadblock #1: a doubtful or conflicted senior pastor. See also, 10 Powerful Benefits of a Thriving Small Group Ministry.
Small Group Ministry Roadblock #2: A Bloated Belong and Become Menu
Today I want to point out what I believe is another powerful roadblock: a bloated belong and become menu. Maybe a little explanation would help us get started.
What I refer to as the "belong and become menu" you may call the discipleship and fellowship menu. You might also think of it as the connect and grow menu.
No matter what you call it, if it's bloated with too many options it is ineffective, at best.
A few clues that you have a problem:
Here are a few important clues that you have a bloated belong and become menu:
- Instead of a single way to get connected, there are 4 or 5 (or even more).
- Instead of a single delivery system for both connecting people and making disciples, there are two or more separate pathways.
- When I take a look at your website, it's hard to choose between an off-campus couples small group, an on-campus Precepts Bible study, and a missional community.
- When I stop by your guest information center, I find myself lost in the panels of the trifold brochure, unable to decide which option would be best for me (especially when I factor in the time commitments, cost to register, and childcare availability.
Sound familiar? Why is this a roadblock? It turns out that too many choices is demotivating. Trust me...you might be the kind of person that really enjoys a wide selection, but it has been conclusively demonstrated that narrowing the available options actually increases the likelihood of choosing.
Too many choices is demotivating. Trust me...you might be the kind of person that really enjoys a wide selection, but it has been conclusively demonstrated that narrowing the available options actually increases the likelihood of choosing. Click To Tweet
See also, Is An Artificial Barrier Limiting Growth in Your Small Group Ministry.
Solution #1: Limit the number of items on the menu.
If you have 5 options, trim the list to 2 or 3. Can't make that move? Limit promotion during prime connecting season to the single best option and reformat the others to function as additional steps in the path (as opposed to making a Luby's style cafeteria approach the standard).
Solution #2: Redesign available menu options
Redesign available menu options to function as both connecting and discipleship opportunities.Eliminate either/or options. Highlight both/and options.
Easy? No. Actually packed with high risk operations. Still, at the end of the day a very productive operation and removing roadblock #2 well worth the struggle. It won't happen easily or overnight, but the steady and gradual repurposing of the menu is an essential step.
You can read about roadblock #3 right here.
What do you think? Want to argue? You can click here to jump into the conversation.
Image by TakoChen
Mark, I am new small groups minister at a church of about 800. I have been “enlarging the menu” since I got here by starting different types of small groups (fitness based groups, wednesday night groups, sunday morning group and hopefully home groups soon). After reading this, I am wondering if this is a poor decision. How can I utilize variety without losing a “simple” process?
Hi Chris…thanks for jumping into the discussion! First, it’s okay to have more than one way to connect people. The problem is when all ways are presented as equal options and all need equal time for promotion. It’s critical to remember that the more choices people are given means fewer “purchases” not more. Also, it’s key to make very clear your expectations for involvement. And finally, in order for anything to count as a group, it ought to have the ingredients that lead to life-change.
That’s a lot…I know, but you must realize that your ministry’s design absolutely determines the results.
mark
Mark, I am one of the pastors at a church plant of about 400, where we have a sizeable number that head to the lakes every wknd between Memorial day and Labor day. We have been kicking around the idea of adding a service on Thurs evenings to provide these people with a way to stay connected over the summer, but it would involve a lot of work to pull off. I would value your input, esp after reading this article. Is this adding too much, and cluttering up the menu? Thanks in advance!
Thanks for jumping in here, Shawn. The summer issue you mention is more common than you may think, so your question is a good one. My answer might depend on what you see as the primary point of “connection” for those involved in your church (congregation, committed and core). If the weekend service is the primary point of connection it may be a worthwhile experiment. On the other hand, I would argue that a much more productive primary point of connection is a small group (in which case, weekend attendance can be hit or miss in the summer).
mark
Thanks, Mark; small groups are the intended primary connection point with Sunday services aimed at new people, but sometimes it seems reversed. What that looks like is many hit or miss connecting over summer if they do not make Sunday connection.
“when all ways are presented as equal options and all need equal time for promotion”… Great point and reminder, thank you…
I’ve adopted the motto, when everything is awesome than really can be.
Thank you for your resources Mark! Very encouraging and helpful
Thanks Evan!