Frank's Blog

 

Does your small group ministry take advantage of all that the web has to offer? Are you utilizing all of the functionality of Web 2.0? In order for us to dig deeper into how the web can enhance your small group ministry experience we first should define what Web 2.0 is.  Here is how Wikipedia defines it:

Web 2.0 is a term describing a trend in the use of World Wide Web technology and web design that aims to enhance creativity, information sharing, and, most notably, collaboration among users. These concepts have led to the development and evolution of web-based communities and hosted services, such as social-networking sites, wikis, blogs, and folksonomies.

Does all of this 2.0 stuff really enhance group ministry? ABSOLUTELY, because it is all designed to encourage relationships, networking, and social interactions in an online setting! Plus, the best part about it is that it is ALL FREE. Your ministry can take advantage of all these tools at no additional cost.

Over the next few posts I will be going over how we use these technologies in our church and specifically our small group ministry context. Then I will post a list of online resources so you can get started with your small group or your ministry.

The type of small group that blogging, in particular, is great for is our social groups. Blogging about upcoming schedules, events, locations, pictures from previous events, all can really enhance the experience for members of a social small group in your church. Plus, like I said earlier... it's all free, and free is good. Here is an example of a social group at our church that utilizes a blog to help stay connected. The group is called our "Small Wonders Play Group." Click here to view their page.

As you can see the front page is static (it doesn't change) and you can tell because it is dated 2007 when they started using it. But notice that it is password protected. Once a new mom joins the group she receives a password and can view the current schedule and other content to keep up on the group's activities. Using simple social networking tools like these will provide our groups with an easy way to stay organized and enhance a small group experience. Especially for younger generations that expect technology to be more integrated into everyday life.

Feel free to post questions in the comments section and I can answer them in future posts.

 

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How do you encourage group members to invite others to your group?  Carter Moss, from Big Ideas About Small Groups, recommends the following:

Challenge your group to make a list of people to invite

Have a contest for whoever brings the most people to group Lead by example and invite

Go into service early and introduce yourself to someone sitting down

Hang out in the entryway and get to know people

Stand by the door and hand out a card with your small group info

Follow up with past people that have showed interest in your group

Participate in planned events such as the small group fair and the weekly small group table

Wear something that identifies you as a  "small group leader"

Talk positively about your small group, people are listening

Plan a small group social, invite your neighbors

Always have an empty chair in group and always be talking about inviting new people

When an established group has been together for a long time this can be challenging.  I will often encourage group leaders by challenging their groups with two questions:

1. How do you feel about this small group?
2. Knowing how important this group has been for you, dont you want to help someone else have the same experience God has provided you through these relationships? How do you encourage an invitational culture in your group?

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Sometimes our small group relationships can get stuck in a superficial limbo. There are people in our groups that we never really get to know deeply.  When that happens we miss out on the life experience that others can teach us.  Bill Search has a great activity you can do with your group to learn more about each other and go deeper with your relationships.  Take a look...

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Dave Treat is starting to release some details about the Group Life Conference this October in Chicago.

Main Session 1 - Why Community Is Essential.
John Burke, Lead Pastor, Gateway Church (Austin, Texas)

Main Session 2 - Where Community Grows Best
Mark Batterson, Lead Pastor & Heather Zempel, Discipleship Pastor. National Community Church (Washington, DC)

Click here for more details

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Ask The Right Questions

Questions make or break every small group discussion. There is a quick exercise you can do when evaluating the discussion questions before you start you group meeting. Look at each question and ask yourself,

"Does this question require a yes, no, or factual response?"

The best questions that create lively discussion are all about the opinions of your group members, what they think, and how they feel. When there are no wrong or right answers you are always in for more lively discussion.

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