developing a small group ministry bob mayfield arizona southern baptist convention

Developing a Small Developing a Small Group MinistryGroup Ministry

Bob MayfieldBob Mayfield

Arizona Southern Baptist Arizona Southern Baptist ConventionConvention

Seminar AgendaSeminar Agenda

Types of small groupsTypes of small groups

Small group structureSmall group structure

7 Deadly Sins of a Small Group7 Deadly Sins of a Small Group

40 Days of Purpose40 Days of Purpose Small Groups Small Groups

Discovery Communication techniquesDiscovery Communication techniques

How many of you have small How many of you have small groups in your church?groups in your church?

Types of Small GroupsTypes of Small Groups

Name some different types of small groupsName some different types of small groups

Discipleship GroupsDiscipleship Groups

Accountability GroupsAccountability Groups

Support GroupsSupport Groups

Men’s/Women’s GroupsMen’s/Women’s Groups

Open GroupsOpen Groups

Sunday SchoolSunday School

Prayer GroupsPrayer Groups

Why Are You Doing Small Groups?Why Are You Doing Small Groups?

Small Group StructureSmall Group Structure

If you believe that small groups require If you believe that small groups require directive, supervisory directive, supervisory leadership move to leadership move to the left side of the room.the left side of the room.

Move to the right side of the room if you Move to the right side of the room if you believe that small group ministry requires believe that small group ministry requires a a supportivesupportive, , uncontrollinguncontrolling style of style of leadership.leadership.

In your group, discuss why you believe this.In your group, discuss why you believe this.

Small Group ModelsSmall Group Models

Church with groupsChurch with groupsHelp people find placeHelp people find placeCentralized placementCentralized placementReactive LeadersReactive LeadersCurriculum chosen by Curriculum chosen by leaderleaderLow authority of church Low authority of church over groupover groupGroup based evangelism Group based evangelism is possibleis possibleLow monitoring of groupsLow monitoring of groups

Church of groupsChurch of groupsBuilding communityBuilding communityGroup invitationGroup invitationShepherd leaderShepherd leaderCurriculum recommended Curriculum recommended by churchby churchLow authority of church Low authority of church over groupover groupGroup based evangelism Group based evangelism is encouragedis encouragedHigh monitoring of group High monitoring of group

Church Church ISIS Groups Model Groups Model

Primary expression of the churchPrimary expression of the churchGroups assigned by geography, group is Groups assigned by geography, group is responsible for enlisting peopleresponsible for enlisting peoplePastor-shepherd leadersPastor-shepherd leadersCurriculum designated by churchCurriculum designated by churchHigh authority of church over groupHigh authority of church over groupGroup based evangelism expectedGroup based evangelism expectedHigh monitoring of groupsHigh monitoring of groups

A church WITH small groups = turf warsA church WITH small groups = turf wars

A church OF small groups = a network of A church OF small groups = a network of smaller communities within the churchsmaller communities within the church

A church IS small groups = the group is my A church IS small groups = the group is my churchchurch

Critical Question for SmallCritical Question for SmallGroup SuccessGroup Success

What kind of small group would you What kind of small group would you rearrange your schedule for?rearrange your schedule for?

Seven Deadly Sins Seven Deadly Sins of Small Groupsof Small Groups

Sin #1 – Unclear Ministry ObjectivesSin #1 – Unclear Ministry Objectives

Leaders can’t agree on purposeLeaders can’t agree on purpose

Church members expect too much Church members expect too much attention from the pastor/staffattention from the pastor/staff

Those most committed to small group Those most committed to small group ministry are getting frustratedministry are getting frustrated

Small groups have a myopic vision & don’t Small groups have a myopic vision & don’t know their role in the churchknow their role in the church


Sin #2 – Lack of point leadershipSin #2 – Lack of point leadership

The small group ministry lacks a The small group ministry lacks a designated, passionate leaderdesignated, passionate leader

Pastor and staff are uninvolved in a small Pastor and staff are uninvolved in a small groupgroup

Distributing leadership, instead of having a Distributing leadership, instead of having a leaderleader

Leader lacks clear objectivesLeader lacks clear objectives

Having a point leader or small groups leader Having a point leader or small groups leader is not enoughis not enough

You need the right point leader doing the You need the right point leader doing the right things!right things!


Sin #3 – Poor coaching structuresSin #3 – Poor coaching structures

Burned out leadersBurned out leaders

Small groups are too largeSmall groups are too large

Leaders are unclear about their roleLeaders are unclear about their role

Leaders are seen as ministry channels, Leaders are seen as ministry channels, not as peoplenot as people


Sin #4 – Neglecting Leadership DevelopmentSin #4 – Neglecting Leadership Development

Too many people are uninvolvedToo many people are uninvolved

No one knows or sees the leadership No one knows or sees the leadership potential of the churchpotential of the church

Senior leaders are not modeling leadership Senior leaders are not modeling leadership developmentdevelopment

Many church’s use the “can the person fog a Many church’s use the “can the person fog a mirror” as a criteria for small group mirror” as a criteria for small group leadershipleadership

Leadership is too important to “throw” Leadership is too important to “throw” people into. Leaders must be developedpeople into. Leaders must be developed

Developing LeadersDeveloping Leaders

Leaders require training!Leaders require training!Informal training is better than formalInformal training is better than formal““Turbo” leadership groupsTurbo” leadership groupsOJT leadership groupsOJT leadership groupsExpose leaders to churches or Expose leaders to churches or conferences that will expand their horizonsconferences that will expand their horizonsDevelop a leadership pipelineDevelop a leadership pipelineBuild a leadership cultureBuild a leadership culture

Leadership CultureLeadership Culture

Annual retreatsAnnual retreats

Pilgrimages to Willow Creek, ACE, etc.Pilgrimages to Willow Creek, ACE, etc.

Involve leaders in special opportunitiesInvolve leaders in special opportunities

Talk leaders up from the pulpitTalk leaders up from the pulpit

Special informal times with leaders Special informal times with leaders (standing breakfast at a restaurant each (standing breakfast at a restaurant each week)week)


Sin #5 – Closed Group MindsetSin #5 – Closed Group MindsetThe “open chair” is merely symbolicThe “open chair” is merely symbolicLeaders are untrained into how to invite Leaders are untrained into how to invite people into the grouppeople into the groupGroups have little passion for seekers, or Groups have little passion for seekers, or even fear having seekers in their groupeven fear having seekers in their groupUnable to relate to the lost when they do Unable to relate to the lost when they do comecome““Comfortitis” – the open chair vs my Comfortitis” – the open chair vs my reserved seatreserved seat

Closed GroupsClosed Groups

Group is shocked when seekers act like Group is shocked when seekers act like seekersseekers

Group sugarcoats its problemsGroup sugarcoats its problems

Using “churchspeak”Using “churchspeak”

Intimidates seekers with ScriptureIntimidates seekers with Scripture

More interested in studying “Revelation” More interested in studying “Revelation” than in meeting seeker needsthan in meeting seeker needs


Sin #6 – Narrowly defined “small groups”Sin #6 – Narrowly defined “small groups”

““One size fits all” strategyOne size fits all” strategy

Narrow range of entry points into groupsNarrow range of entry points into groups

Limiting what counts as a small groupLimiting what counts as a small group

Potential leaders are missed because of Potential leaders are missed because of narrow definition of small groupnarrow definition of small group


Sin #7 – Neglecting the Assimilation Sin #7 – Neglecting the Assimilation ProcessProcess

Newcomers feel isolated, have difficulty Newcomers feel isolated, have difficulty joining a groupjoining a group

No system in place to collect data on No system in place to collect data on newcomersnewcomers

No “pathway” into groupsNo “pathway” into groups

No person is following up on assimilationNo person is following up on assimilation

Small groups is the key to an effective Small groups is the key to an effective 40 40 Days of PurposeDays of Purpose Spiritual Growth Spiritual Growth CampaignCampaign

Thinking EXPONENTIALLY (2 Timothy 2:2)Thinking EXPONENTIALLY (2 Timothy 2:2)

Train your leadersTrain your leaders

*ACE Conference*ACE Conference

*Special training day for ALL group leaders *Special training day for ALL group leaders at the church.at the church.

Familiarize your leaders with the purpose of Familiarize your leaders with the purpose of small groups, the materials, how to lead a small groups, the materials, how to lead a group, and how to enlist a groupgroup, and how to enlist a group

The Purpose of Small Groups in 40 DaysThe Purpose of Small Groups in 40 Days

Involve a greater number of people in a Involve a greater number of people in a focused studyfocused study

Increase the church’s “vision potential”Increase the church’s “vision potential”

S-T-R-E-T-C-HS-T-R-E-T-C-H

Discover new leadersDiscover new leaders

Engage people in community and Engage people in community and outreachoutreach

Materials for a Materials for a 40 Days40 Days Small group Small group

Purpose Driven LifePurpose Driven Life, by Rick Warren, by Rick Warren

40 Days of Purpose40 Days of Purpose small group study small group study guideguide

Video curriculumVideo curriculum

Scripture cards/key chainScripture cards/key chain

How to lead a How to lead a 40 Days40 Days small group small groupRelax, and let Rick do the teachingRelax, and let Rick do the teachingFacilitate discussion after the videoFacilitate discussion after the videoDo NOT sermonize or “teach”Do NOT sermonize or “teach”Encourage less talkative people to shareEncourage less talkative people to shareAllow ample prayer timeAllow ample prayer timeAlways remember that people are “cueing” Always remember that people are “cueing” off of you. Consider your posture, tone of off of you. Consider your posture, tone of voice, etc.voice, etc.

Enlisting your group – the real KEY to a Enlisting your group – the real KEY to a successful 40 Dayssuccessful 40 Days

Institutional or OrganicInstitutional or Organic

Institutional – done through SS or sign up Institutional – done through SS or sign up sheets. Lots of “church” controlsheets. Lots of “church” control

Organic – each host home is responsible Organic – each host home is responsible for enlisting their groupfor enlisting their group

NO GROUP can be ALL church members!NO GROUP can be ALL church members!

Child-CareChild-Care

Groups that meet on Sunday mornings, Groups that meet on Sunday mornings, Wednesday evenings etc can bring Wednesday evenings etc can bring children to church and then go to groupchildren to church and then go to group

Hire teenagers to babysit in the host homeHire teenagers to babysit in the host home

Hire teenagers to babysit in the home of a Hire teenagers to babysit in the home of a group member, but NOT in the host homegroup member, but NOT in the host home

Each family take care of its own childcareEach family take care of its own childcare

Sample Small Group meetingSample Small Group meeting

15-30 minutes – meal, refreshments, etc15-30 minutes – meal, refreshments, etc

15 minutes – CONNECT15 minutes – CONNECT

35-45 minutes – GROW. Memory verse, 35-45 minutes – GROW. Memory verse, video segment, and discussionvideo segment, and discussion

10 minutes – SERVE/SHARE10 minutes – SERVE/SHARE

15 minutes – WORSHIP. Discussion and 15 minutes – WORSHIP. Discussion and prayerprayer

BibliographyBibliography

Arnold, Jeffrey. Arnold, Jeffrey. The Big Book on Small GroupsThe Big Book on Small Groups. . Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1992.Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1992.

Donahue, Bill and Russ Robinson. Donahue, Bill and Russ Robinson. The Seven The Seven Deadly Sins of Small Group Ministry. Deadly Sins of Small Group Ministry. Grand Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2002.Rapids: Zondervan, 2002.

Stark, David and Betty Veldman Wieland, Stark, David and Betty Veldman Wieland, Growing People Through Small Groups.Growing People Through Small Groups. Minneapolis: Bethany House Publishers, 2004.Minneapolis: Bethany House Publishers, 2004.

Warren, Rick. Warren, Rick. The Purpose Driven Life.The Purpose Driven Life. Grand Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2002.Rapids: Zondervan, 2002.

developing a small group ministry bob mayfield arizona southern baptist convention

Documents