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At my church we call our most popular small groups Home Teams. However, we will often find ourselves in social situations with people without a church experience that say... what? "Your what team?" We go on to attempt describing to them that there are some friends we have that get together at our house each week to have fun and discuss life, God, and the Bible. Kathy Guy, who handles groups at Granger, recently posted on the topic: Before our friends came to church, they heard us talk of other friends we had made "in our small group." It drew the question, "Is that the thing you guys used to have at your house on Sunday nights?" They asked that question a couple years ago, and it still comes up occasionally even though they've attended GCC for a while now. I can't shake the simplicity of the question. Small groups, home groups, connect groups, life groups: all church language! All of it! When I google these, nearly every one links to a church or a ministry support organization. I found a few exceptions - very few. The name of Benny Goodman's band at some point was "The Small Groups"? Health insurance language includes "small group" plans. Other than a few other random mentions, it's all church stuff! The most frequently asked question from other churches: How do you get people to want to join a small group? Everyone is trying to figure it out. Talk in a language they speak, make it normal, and tell them the purpose of the group - a purpose they value.
I think Kathy raises a great question. How do you help people that start visiting your church (that have little or no church experience) feel comfortable enough to join a small group? I think one of the best ways I seem new people connect in groups is through a relationship and a personal invitation. In that order of sequence. An individual already attending a group regularly will build a friendship with the new visitor and after a few weeks or months invite them to something that their small group is doing. Sometimes the invitation is based up a need or crisis, other times the invitation is based upon common interest or an activity. How do you see new people connect in groups? Click here to read more of Kathy's post...
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