Frank's Blog

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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A Small Group is more than a meeting.  It is an opportunity for others to experience Jesus in a tangible way.  A friend of mine recently wrote about her experience in a local diner:

The waitresses - Joanne ('Red'), Jackie, Sue, Elisa, Queenie, and Jamie - are happy to see me. They all know my name. No matter which one waits on me, they start by bringing me my morning beverage - iced tea/no lemon - without being asked. And they genuinely are there to serve me. 

On days off, I take the week's newspapers and head to the diner's corner booth. It's the booth I like the best because I can hear and see what is happening in the rest of the little diner.

From there, I have seen and heard the waitresses sing Happy Birthday to a 90 year old woman who has no family - except them. The whole restaurant joined in. 

I have seen them fill the thermoses an extra time for the construction workers working on the road out front in the middle of a wicked cold snap. And then run out with some free donuts just because ‘those guys needed a little something special on such a cold day.'

They notice when their elderly patrons haven't been there in awhile. They remember a baby's birth, a death of a loved one, a loss of a job. They don't solve anyone's problems. They just listen, and make sure for those few moments you are with them, that you have a full cup of coffee and a smile.  

I don't know what each of them believes, but I see Jesus when I watch them. No judgment. No chastising. Nothing but a listening ear and a shower of kindness. Often unexpected. Always appreciated.

Just last week, each one of them made their way to my table to ask how my sister was doing who was recently diagnosed with cancer. I told only Joanne about my sister a week earlier when she had noticed that I seemed sad. She cared enough to share my story - to share her concern for me

When someone brand new shows up to your group, what is the experience like for them?  Do they see Jesus in a tangible way? What can we learn from this little family diner that we can apply to the small groups we lead?

You can read Diane's full post here.

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This time of year leading a small group can get challenging.  The holidays begin creeping up on you and your small group members begin to travel.  Consistent attendance begins to dive, we get discouraged, and we begin to cancel our group gatherings when only a few people are going to show up.  

I want to encourage you, DO NOT TO CANCEL.  As leaders we need to begin viewing a small turn out as an opportunity for an increase in intimacy.  Just last week I was getting a little discouraged as 10 of our 14 group members were going to be out of town or unavailable.  Luckily before I got too bummed out, I was told by the other couple, "let still get together, take our kids to the play ground at Chic-fil-a and eat a quick cheap meal!"  We had a great time, our kids had a blast, and it was an opportunity to reconnect with them.  It was so refreshing to have some extended time with a family that we love to spend time with.  It was so refreshing.  

DON'T CANCEL YOUR GROUP!!!

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Rick Warren recently sent out an email where he writes about some observations he has had about his church, small groups, and the fires in California.  Here is a piece of what he wrote:

As the fires have raged this week, I've once again seen the undeniable importance and benefit of being a part of a small group. While people without a church home or a small group were sent to evacuation centers across Southern California (like our campus), I kept hearing  story after story of Saddleback small groups opening their homes to fellow group members who had to evacuate.  I also witnessed small groups actually fighting fires together when a group member's homes was threatened by fire!

THAT, my friends, is what small groups are all about! Your group carries you through a crisis! Right now I feel sorry for those who've never connected with a group. It's never too late to join one.     

Also, I am so proud of how our 3,500 small groups immediately moved into action in this crisis.  Jesus said, "Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples." John 13:35 (NLT)

(For those of you who asked:  Yes, Kay (my wife) and Saddleback staff minister Elizabeth Styffe were captured briefly on video by a local TV news crew. Members of our small group were assisting in saving the Styffe home from the fire in their back yard. You may have also seen many of our college ministry ("CRAVE") students working alongside firefighters on the fire lines.

What these small groups are doing shows me how much our group leaders matter.  Lets continue to build into our leaders and each other so we can be better prepared for any opportunity that presents itself.

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Sometimes we can get discouraged.  Lets face it, on the front lines of group ministry we see the and enjoy victories but we also endure so many challenges in helping life change to occur.  Last year one of the most rewarding things I was privleged to experience was a baptism in my Home Team (small group).  For that couple it took a few months to get to a place where they wanted to take that step in their spiritual journey. 

However, for others it may take years.  As a part of Christ's Church of the Valley I have seen it take 5 years for people to get to a place where they are open to what God has for them!  Take a look at this video from the Group Life Conference in Chicago where Bill Donahue describes his experience with a guy from his neighborhood.  Click here to view the video.

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