Creating Community:Creating Community:A Small Group StrategyA Small Group Strategy

Bob MayfieldBob Mayfield

Baptist GeneralBaptist General

Convention of Convention of OklahomaOklahoma

Define a “Small Group”Define a “Small Group”

Basic Idea behind “Create Basic Idea behind “Create Community”Community”

►Community should be a core value of Community should be a core value of the churchthe church

►Life change happens best in small Life change happens best in small groupsgroups

►Community does not just “happen”Community does not just “happen”►Community must be createdCommunity must be created

The PlanThe Plan

►Meeting with every current SS or home Meeting with every current SS or home group leader in a homegroup leader in a home

►““Create Community” plan emailed to Create Community” plan emailed to all leaders one week in advanceall leaders one week in advance

►CC plan discussed with leaders and CC plan discussed with leaders and leader input is encouragedleader input is encouraged

►Leaders emerge from the meeting Leaders emerge from the meeting involvedinvolved

The PlanThe Plan

►Entire Bible study structure was Entire Bible study structure was “deconstructed”“deconstructed”

►Every church member will be part of a Every church member will be part of a LIFE GroupLIFE Group

►Leaders meet 2 weeks later to “draft” Leaders meet 2 weeks later to “draft” their groupstheir groups

►Groups are contacted by their leaderGroups are contacted by their leader

LIFE GroupLIFE Group

L – LearningL – Learning

I – InvolvingI – Involving

F – FellowshippingF – Fellowshipping

E - EvangelizingE - Evangelizing

Purpose of GroupsPurpose of Groups

►Bible studyBible study►FellowshipFellowship►MinistryMinistry►PrayerPrayer►OutreachOutreach

Expectations for LIFE GroupsExpectations for LIFE Groups

► Groups will not exceed 12 people in Groups will not exceed 12 people in enrollment, eight is preferred (smaller is enrollment, eight is preferred (smaller is better)better)

► The LIFE Group begins a new group when 12 The LIFE Group begins a new group when 12 people are reachedpeople are reached

► Sunday morning groups will meet for Sunday morning groups will meet for fellowship once a monthfellowship once a month

► Leaders will complete an online weekly report Leaders will complete an online weekly report (not a long one) of attendance, guests, (not a long one) of attendance, guests, persons contacted, evangelism, and persons contacted, evangelism, and ministry/prayer needsministry/prayer needs

► LIFE Groups will meet weeklyLIFE Groups will meet weekly► Each LIFE Group will attempt to begin a new Each LIFE Group will attempt to begin a new

group within one yeargroup within one year

Expectations for LIFE LeadersExpectations for LIFE Leaders

►Facilitate discussion, don’t lectureFacilitate discussion, don’t lecture►Study and prepareStudy and prepare►Attend trainingAttend training►Participate in LIFE leader meetingsParticipate in LIFE leader meetings►Organize your groupOrganize your group►Train a new LIFE leaderTrain a new LIFE leader►Be aggressive in outreach and Be aggressive in outreach and

evangelismevangelism►Strive to develop a family feel for your Strive to develop a family feel for your

groupgroup

QuestionsQuestions