Developing Small Groups

Keeping things moving & growing

National Leaders Conference

February 2011

Why are small groups so vital?

It’s where we multiply disciples.

It’s where we mobilise disciples.

It’s where we grow a church not just gather a crowd.

Why are small groups so vital?

They are the place where we look for:

RelationshipPastoral careTraining Discipling Growth of peopleGrowth of the church

Healthy things do growGrowth is organic and

spiritual ...A reminder: I planted the seed,

Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow.

1 Cor 3:6

But we do need to be intentional in our planning.

What are the key things to promote good healthy growth?

Know what you are aiming for

...a real meeting with God and a real meeting with

each other.

People want relationship.People are hungry for the presence and power of Jesus.

Don’t fall back to default.

Know what you are aiming for

Always have a bigger picture in mind.

What is healthy? Aim for 70% involvement. Have a big fringe. Resist group introspection

and keep a growing edge.

This is the big challenge!

To keep the big picture in our minds. To keep the individual in our minds.

There is a tension here....

We don’t duck it – we embrace it.

Pastoral Structural

Take your small groups’ temperature

Resistance to multiplication and change.

Inward focussed Newcomers find it hard to

stick.Ministry isn’t being released.Leaders parenting not

pastoring.Everything grinds to a halt!

Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. Jn12:24

Have a growth and multiplication culture

Have a growth and multiplication culture

Don’t settle for maintenance culture.Nurture the expectation that every

group can grow and reproduce.Excited people are the ingredients

for growth.Who are you training?What do you hope for in 6 months?Multiplication prevents burnout of

leaders.

Have a growth and multiplication culture

Encourage groups to give away their best - God always to fills the gaps.

Be real about the cost & risk – but also about the reward.

38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Luke 6:38

Always be looking for leaders

Work with teams to train people on the job.

Ask God to show you the potential in people.

Take some risks.Don’t look for people

like you are now!

Who are we looking for?

Guided by faith not fear.Don’t worry what others think.Have a mission not

maintenance mentality. Set goals, be creative, take risks.Have an outward focus.Willing to pay the cost – giving

up their homes and their time.

Teachable – willing to be a lifelong learner.

Grow your structure as you

expand

Structure is vital for healthy growth.

Don’t be nervous of structure. God can still work!

Well planned structure stays hidden.

A too small structure inhibits growth.

Grow your structure as you

expand

Our structure is people – flexible but strong.

Develop leaders.Establish lines of

communication.Keep pastoral loads

manageable.

Our pastoral structure

Offer many training opportunities

Don’t expect everyone to get it straight away.Initial training – whole dayPersonal induction

Encourage leadersListen to their needs

Refresher evenings – to recast the vision

Don’t be afraid to evaluate

Collect statistics.Evaluate data.Be self reflective.