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Writer's pictureSophie Walker

Keys to Thriving Connect Groups


[Adapted from growahealthychurch.com]


Check out these simple tools to get the most of your group and maximise commitment and spiritual growth.


Assistant Leaders

Not only can a leader share the responsibilities of leading a group, but they can also take opportunities to develop another leader.

The hands-on nature of an assistant’s role means that they learn quicker than if they were in just a training course.

The raw material of an untrained leader can quickly be turned into an effective leader who revels in their new responsibilities.


Pastoral Care Group Members

Some people are excellent at leading meetings but not so good at following up people.

While others are brilliant at caring for people but not leading meetings. An excellent way around this issue is to appoint pastoral care group members in each group.

This has a couple of immediate benefits.

Firstly, it places pastorally gifted people in a role that suits their gifting and personality.

Secondly, it takes the pressure off the leader of the group to be the pastoral care worker for the entire group.

Of course, another benefit is that it gets another person locked into a role in the group.


Give Everyone a Role

When people step over the line of serving their commitment, and subsequently, attendance increases.

Your small groups will function better if everyone has a role to play in the group.

Besides the obvious roles of leaders, assistant leaders, hosts, and pastoral care workers you can create roles for other members of the group.

Ask someone to take care of birthdays so that everyone’s special day is celebrated in a meaningful and fun way.

Inspire a couple of people to coordinate prayer for the members of the group.

They can ensure that prayer requests are recorded and circulated as well as interceding for the group and the members.

Ask another group member to be your communications person, reminding people of group meetings and other events in the group.


Read the Bible!

Small groups are excellent for making disciples. I believe it is impossible to disciple people without the Scriptures. Discussing the scriptures should be a central part of any small group.


Invite Guest Speakers

The small group leaders are encouraged by the attention they receive from other speakers visiting and encouraging their groups.

Having church leaders visit your group creates an opportunity for follow-up mentoring and encouragement after they experience the group in action.

Hearing from new voices in groups opens up new discussion and ideas within the group members.


Mentoring

Connect group leaders benefit from support and encouragement. One way to provide this is by establishing mentoring for small group leaders.

One significant benefit of a mentor is that they can deliver real-time support to a leader. While generic training is essential, real-time mentoring gives essential support at the right when it's needed.


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