Do you know people that are in your small group or in your church that would be great as a small group leader? I am sure you have experienced asking that person to lead and they tell you, "No way, I could never do that."
I often run into people that I believe have the ability to lead a small group and are fearful. Here are the three top excuses I receive and how I handle it to get them to test the waters of leading a group.
1. I don't know enough about the Bible to teach a group.
You don't need to be a Bible scholar to lead a small group! This is a mistake that not only people who are fearful to lead make but also people who are currently leaders mess this up too. As a group leader it is our job to facilitate discussion and NOT TO TEACH. Plus as the leader of the group we should be encouraging the participation of everyone in our group. So the more that we are silent and let others share the better off our group will be.
2. No one will show up to a group that I lead.
I find this excuse quite interesting. What I tell people is, "Hey, I enjoy spending time with you and that is why I am suggesting you lead a group! Do you really think that I would ask you if I thought that people around here disliked you?!?!" Another thing we can do is find someone to pair up with these types of resistant leaders. If they are not in it alone and they are paired with a co-leader that often helps build momentum for a group right out of the chute.
3. I am not even sure what to study.
DVD curriculum is a gift from God for group leaders that are inexperienced. Your group can benefit from the talents of our worlds greatest Christian communicators right in your own living room. There is a buffet of DVD studies out there to choose from.
If you have some time I would love to hear some of the excuses you get and how you manage to handle them.
Seslar/Beach-Umbrella-Print-C10084879.jpeg">I have always found summer to be an interesting component of group life at our church (
Christ's Church of the Valley). Some of our groups experience a dip in attendance while others continue to thrive. I have heard all sorts of advice from other small group pastors and breakout sessions at conferences but I am of the opinion that the group leader can make the best decision for his or her group.
They know their summer schedules, vacation times, children's activities, church events, etc. Our church has a very volunteer intensive month during July when we attempt to pull off the largest kids' camp event in the area. Many of the 300 volunteers that are needed for making the event happen will be people who attend our church's small group ministry, and that has a direct impact on attendance. Church events will affect our groups and so will summer vacation. My own Home Team (small group) has recently had a 50% drop in attendance due to pregnancies and summer vacations.
Some of our leaders decide that it's best to just break for the summer and meet once per month for a social to stay in touch. My group has decided to meet twice per month over the summer, we normally meet weekly.
I think scaling back for the summer is helpful. It generates a buzz for a big fall launch and I find people are looking for something when school starts to create a routine. Hopefully your summer is refreshing and your group stays in touch.
Small group ministry has its challenges. One of many is the challenge of leadership. Recently the pastor at Lifechurch.tv dealt with the following question, "What do I do if I'm on staff at a church and see ways we can improve but don't have support of those in leadership above me?"
Here is what he had to say...
I'll devote this week to answering the question, "How can I lead up?"
As I write, I do so from the two perspectives, I was an associate pastor of a very traditional church for five years. I both succeed and failed in leading up. As a senior pastor with a large and mostly younger staff, I have many who try to lead up. Some are successful. Some aren't. Some don't try to lead up at all.
Let's start with a basic thought:
Someone said in regards to authority, "You can't be over until you learn to be under."
In other words, if you don't know how to be under authority, you can't expect to have authority over others.
Don't try to lead up if you're rebellious.
I've worked with a lot of talented leaders who have this mindset... "I'll do what I want... one way or another." That attitude will kill you every time.
Don't try to lead up if you think you know it all.
If you've read many of my posts, you know how much I value the young emerging leaders.
One weakness, though, for many twenty-somethings (as it was for me) is that they often think they have things figured out. You don't. You won't even know what you don't know for several years.
If you have an un-teachable spirit, you will never succeed in leading up.
I have been working in a rapidly growing church plant environment for the last 6 years. EVERYTHING that Craig has indicated in this post I have found to be true. I do my best to lead upwards by practicing the skills he talks about in this post. Also I have found that those in my small group organization that are the most effective leaders on my team do the same.
