Remember this… Everyone needs what small group offers. As you think about where you will find the people who will be in your small group, think of the community and all the people in it, not just your church.
When starting a group any of the following ideas may help you in connecting with people who might be thinking about joining a small group. These ideas come from group leaders around the country.:
1. By Mail: Prepare a letter that gives the following information: a) that you are starting a small group, b) what the group’s goal will be, c) how long the group will meet, and d) why you’re starting the group. Mail the letter to the people you are inviting then follow up with those individuals via telephone three days after they receive the letter.
2. By Meeting: Having an open meeting at your church is another way to become aware of people who would like to be in a small group. Use the worship guide, posters, and announcements from the pulpit to make people aware that a new small group is looking for people who will make up the group and that there is going to be an open meeting for anyone interested in becoming part of the group.
3. By Personal Invitation: The most effective way to welcome people into your life is by personal invitation. If you choose to recruit the people in your group by a face-to-face conversation, be certain you make this invitation substantive. Make the people you invite aware that the group will be more than a weekly meeting, it will be a group of people deeply involved in one another’s lives.
4. By Presentation: Churches with the necessary resources are making people aware of small group opportunities by utilizing dramatic presentations and video spots in worship. Following these presentations there is an announcement that will most often announce the date of an meeting for those curious to join a group or telling attendees that there is someone at a kiosk in the church lobby that will answer any questions an individual might have about the group.
5. By Media Outlets: If the goal of your group/groups is to reach the community, running newspaper adds, radio spots, even television commercials announcing opportunities is effective. Make sure interested parties are made aware of a website they can go to for more information or a phone number that can be called to speak with someone to get more information. The website as well as the individual taking phone calls should be able to tell the caller when the first meeting will be, that that meeting will be a Q and A time with a sign up for the group taking place at the end of the meeting.
April 9, 2009 at 5:51 am
Hey Rick & all of you guys @ Serendipity,
Rick, as you know, I tried diligently to launch a 1st generation Small Groups Ministry, in a rather traditional church. However, it never got off the ground.
From day one, the Small Groups Ministry I strived to achieve was Missional at its core…and it seemed to receive quite a bit of buzz with those in my congregation, and strong support from my Sr. Pastor…. I was truly jazzed!
However, we hit a brick wall when began to actively enlist leaders for these Missional Small Groups. We enlisted from a pool of prospective leaders who had expressed an interest in leading a Small Group from its seminal stages. Unfortunately, many opted out, while the others said they had too much on their plate at the time.
Most of the negative responses we received stemmed from legitimate circumstances. However, they clearly proved that many of the members in our congregation were unable to make the large commitment to this new paradigm of group life, even for six weeks, which the Small Groups Ministry process required from a minimal standpoint. It also became clear that several prospective small group leaders were not at a point to make the shift, away from the known (a somewhat traditional “Sunday School”), to the unknown (Missional Small Groups).
Looking back, I see mistakes which I made, specifically not casting a clear and compelling vision from the ministry’s genesis. I also failed to properly equip our Small Groups Leadership Team. Additionally, I would have taken the time and energy to discover a barometer that would have provided me and my team, the accurate data, which would have clarified the commitment level of those in our congregation.
2 Questions;
1. Would you recommend, or know of an assessment that would have provided my team and me the accurate information we needed to successfully launch this 1st generation ministry?
2. What processes have you seen utilized successfully to enlist and train a Leadership Team, to launch an entrepreneurial 1st generation ministry, within the body of traditional congregation?
April 9, 2009 at 7:44 am
Rich: I read your post and it sounded all too familiar to me. I have participated and watched two small group movements in two different churches fail. It seems that unless the church leadership is willing to make the effort an “All Church” and be willing to throw resources at it – it will not work. If you are sold out for small groups and there ability to significantly impact the lives of those who participate – Then why allow some “leaders” to restrict your ability to minister Gods people. I have seen people like you do far more by finding a church that will do what it takes, rather than to stay at a church that really wants to always be what they have always been. If you find the secret I’d be really interested in hearing what it is. I pray you find success.
April 13, 2009 at 5:34 am
Thanks Bob,
I have also found a few fellow co-laborers, who much like me, have suffered the same fate…It has caused me to step back in order to prepare myself to give it another go. However, this time, spending far greater time, especially early on, listening to the Holy Spirit rather than attempting to communicate my vision to the church leadership and potential small group leaders.
In regards to your comment about people like me moving on to like-minded churches, whose leaders would share my vision, and the same page as me….I cannot deny the special call God has given me and put in my heart… to prove myself faithful in my current congregation….I know it will prove as a far greater mountain to climb, and even climbing that mountain on its North Face.
As I understand that truism in my ministry, I also recognize that I am a spiritually gifted and passionate paradox!!! I have the gift and drive of apostleship, coupled with a heart that is passionate about church revitalization, not church planting, nor even serving a young congregation whose leaders would share my entrepreneurial spirit. I know it sounds like a crazy blend, and I’m somewhat of a “spiritual mutt”…Even so, I cannot deny God’s call on my life, and I must continue to believe and trust that God will bless my obedience to Him (in some form or fashion, and at sometime in the future), even when he has called me to scale Mt. Everest!
April 13, 2009 at 7:51 am
Good for you Rich; I appreciate your commitment to your Calling. I pray that the Lord will raise up the ministry partners you are searching for in your congregation… or bring new ones in!
Brian
April 13, 2009 at 12:26 pm
Hi Rich,
Super to hear from you. Concerning your two questions:
1. What would you want the assessment to assess? That’ll help me see if I know of something to help you.
2. I would suggest you spend a year leading and mentoring the first generation group using three resources: 1)Destination Community:Small Group Ministry Manual. Spend time over the year you’re leading the small group to get together for a meal on a monthly basis and discuss each chapter. This would enhance the group as well as give them the big picture of small group life. 2) Great Beginnings: Your First Small Group Study. Leading them through this study would prepare them to lead a group of their own as they would use this for their first six weeks of the group they would someday lead themselves. 3)Small Group Kickoff Retreat: Experiental Training for Small Group Leaders. One day or weekend experience is a super way to train your small group leaders.
February 2, 2013 at 4:50 am
Today, while I was at work, my cousin stole my iphone and tested to see if it can survive
a 25 foot drop, just so she can be a youtube sensation.
My apple ipad is now broken and she has 83 views.
I know this is totally off topic but I had to share it with someone!
March 2, 2013 at 4:01 am
Hi! I’m at work surfing around your blog from my new apple iphone! Just wanted to say I love reading your blog and look forward to all your posts! Carry on the fantastic work!