5 Simple Steps for a Mid-Semester Small Group Ministry Check-Up
No matter the system or strategy you use in your small group ministry, what you do right now determines a lot. For almost all of us, mid-October is the moment that determines whether your new groups continue to meet or just kind of fizzle and die.
Harsh…I know. But whether you use a semester-based strategy, you’re a few weeks into a church-wide campaign, or you just launched a few new groups the old-fashioned way…there are some powerful steps you can take right now to help your newest groups survive and your seasoned groups get even stronger.
Here are 5 simple steps you can take right now:
- New small group leaders are never more interested in meeting with their coach than in their first few weeks on the job. A quick phone call to check in on every new leader can yield plenty of opportunities to meet for coffee and catch up. If what happens over a cup of coffee is equal parts coaching and caring, your coaches will have a much easier time staying connected when the leader no longer needs help with technique. See also, Four Questions Every Coach Should Be Asking.
- 3 or 4 weeks into a six-week study is the time to start talking about what’s next. If a group is beginning to click and only made a 6 week commitment (very common in church-wide campaigns), new members will begin to wonder out loud if there is anything next. “Hey, there’s only three more weeks. Is there anything after this study?” Two skillful moves right now will help sustain a much larger number of new groups. See also, 5 Keys to Sustaining New Groups.
- First, have your coaches check-in with every group leader to let them know about the next study you’ve chosen for new groups that want to continue.
- Second, have your pastor hold up a copy of the new study and say something like, “We’ve been hearing some great stories about what’s happening in our new small groups. We’ve chosen a follow-up study that we think you’re going to love. You’ll find samples at the booth in the lobby.”
- Even seasoned leaders often fall into the trap of doing everything themselves. The group meets at their house. They provide the snacks. And they facilitate every meeting. Right now is a great time to encourage every experienced leader to identify and invite a group member or two to take a turn facilitating. Adding at least an alternate home to meet in is another very helpful step for many groups. And it may seem counterintuitive, but asking every member to sign up to bring snacks helps develop consistency. See also, Skill Training: How to Develop More Leaders.
- A leader’s rally or training works well in the first couple weeks of November and right about now is the time to promote it and ask for RSVPs. Depending on the number of group leaders in your system, it can be as easy as meeting for dinner or dessert in a side room of the right restaurant. Coffee and bagels on a Saturday morning works well too. Some version of Carl George’s VHS model (vision, huddle, skill) works well in a two hour format. Invite your senior pastor to cast vision and inspire the troops (15 to 30 minutes). Include time to huddle with coaches (30 to 45 minutes). Finish with a skill training segment (30 to 60 minutes). See also, Skill Training.
- Incorporating an appreciation gift into your leader training or asking your coaches to deliver a gift at their individual meetings is a great idea. A book like Steve Gladen’s Leading Small Groups with Purpose, Bill Donahue’s Leading Life-Changing Small Groups, or Sam O’Neals Field Guide for Small Group Leaders can express your appreciation and provide the content for upcoming training. A $10 Starbucks gift card is often just the thing.
The key? Right now is the time to help your newest group leaders take a next step and re-energize your seasoned leaders. Don’t miss it!
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