Top 10 Things New Small Group Pastors Need to Know

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There are a few things a new small group pastor needs to know when they begin.

There may be many things they do not yet know how to do and must learn to do.

But there is a short list of things they will need to know from the beginning.

The top 10 things a new small group pastor needs to know:

1. Their senior pastor is the best person to be the small group champion.

Along with this knowledge they should also understand that the champion role cannot be delegated to them. Instead of seeking the champion role or accepting the champion role the small group pastor should work to be Joshua to Moses or Timothy to Paul; looking for ways to help the senior pastor be the best champion possible.

Instead of seeking the champion role or accepting the champion role the small group pastor should work to be Joshua to Moses or Timothy to Paul; looking for ways to help the senior pastor be the best champion possible. Click To Tweet

This is a critical understanding and much time will be wasted when anyone other than the senior pastor is allowed to serve as champion.

2. An annual strategy should be in place (or will need to be developed).

Rather than serving as champion (i.e. the public face) of small group ministry, the small group pastor should strive to be a behind the scenes instigator of an annual strategy that connects people to an expanding network of groups.

The tendency for most churches is to work from season to season making it up as they go along and just in time for what's next. This practice is the underlying reason for many missed opportunities to connect people and make disciples.

3. Identifying, recruiting and developing leaders of leaders is a top priority.

Focusing on the right things will allow the small group pastor time to do what must be done. When leaders of leaders are not identified, recruited and developed, the small group pastor often attempts an unmanageable span of care (and either delivers a poor substitute or burns out trying).

4. Doing the right things TO and FOR (and with) group leaders will deliver a life-changing experience to group members.

This understanding informs a key role of the small group pastor and inspires the urgency of #3 on this list.

Whatever you want to happen in the lives of the members of your groups must be experienced by the leader first. Therefore, whatever you want the leaders of your groups to do TO and FOR (and with) their members will need to be part of the small group pastor job description.

When there are more small group leaders than can be cared for by the small group pastor, an effective coaching structure will need to be built.

5. Training existing group leaders to invite prospective members and fill their own groups should be an ongoing process.

This is an essential practice. While it should be a priority for all small group pastors, it is often a last resort.

When leaders are trained to fill their own group (and engage their members in the effort), the newly invited prospective members have a much higher chance of truly connecting. In addition, there is much less wasted energy on the part of the small group pastor or administrative assistant.

When leaders are trained to fill their own group (and engage their members in the effort), the newly invited prospective members have a much higher chance of truly connecting. Click To Tweet

6. Matchmaking new members with existing groups should be the exception to the norm of providing year-round strategies that connect people to new groups.

When leaders are not trained to "fish for themselves" small group pastors tend to employ matchmaking (determining the best existing group for an interested new member) as the norm rather than the exception. This leads to an inefficient use of the small group pastor's time as well as a poor substitute for the best method of building a thriving small group ministry.

When leaders are not trained to fish for themselves small group pastors tend to employ matchmaking (determining the best existing group for an interested new member) as the norm rather than the exception. Click To Tweet

7. They must prioritize the launch of new groups.

The most effective way to build a thriving small group ministry is to prioritize the launch of new groups and the identification of new leaders. When this activity is allowed to slip out of priority the ministry will plateau and its growth will stall.

8. Everything needs consistent evaluation.

Current strategies can be evaluated and made more effective. New strategies can be developed to connect different target segments or make better disciples. There is almost always more that could be done to connect people and make disciples.

9. The current menu of connecting and disciple-making options may need to be reduced or reimagined in order to provide next steps that are easy, obvious and strategic.

This understanding can be a challenge for both new staff members and long time staff members. Having eyes to see inefficiency and ineffectiveness is one thing. Initiating this conversation in a skillful and humble way can be a daunting task. Still, this task is at the very heart of building a thriving small group ministry and cannot be avoided.

The current menu of connecting and disciple-making options may need to be reduced or reimagined in order to provide next steps that are easy, obvious and strategic. Click To Tweet

10. The next step for many unconnected people may not be a group.

Instead, the next step for many may simply lead in the direction of a group. This is often a challenging understanding for small group pastors who are passionate about the importance of being connected in community. Seeing "connected in a group" as a kind of destination (as opposed to a first step or even an early step) is important. Playing a role in the development of first steps or early steps that lead to opportunities to connect is essential.

Seeing connected in a group as a kind of destination (as opposed to a first step or even an early step) is important. Playing a role in the development of first steps or early steps that lead to opportunities to connect is essential. Click To Tweet

Need more help?

Small Group Ministry 101 is one of my most popular online video courses. A 4 session course, you'll gain a keen understanding of the why of small group ministry and a basic understanding of the building blocks of a thriving small group ministry. You'll also learn how to spend your time and what’s most important. You can find out more right here.

Further Reading:

5 Common Mistakes of Rookie Small Group Pastors

Four Decisions Wise Small Group Pastors Make Once

10 Things Small Group Pastors Should Always Be Thinking

4 Essential Skills Most New Small Group Pastors Need to Develop

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