Most small groups take a break for the summer and resume gathering in the fall.

Maybe you aren’t sure what curriculum to use this fall? Or maybe you need to find an apprentice or co-leader? Or maybe there’s some unresolved conflict that hangs in the air and you don’t know how to deal with it?

This month will be more of an open discussion as we help one another prepare for our groups to meet this autumn.

Be sure to bring your group apprentice and co-leader!

Have a great day!

-By Deering Dyer

The traditional method for growing small groups is once a group got to a certain size, the group must split and then each group would invite new people to replace the others. Like cells, small groups will multiply exponentially. This mitosis approach to small group ministry works well in a formulaic sense, but not in a relational sense.

If we truly want small groups to be a place for people to grow in Christ and in community with one another, then a less pragmatic, more missional approach needs to be considered. I can think of nothing more disheartening than the idea of breaking up a group of people that have grown together and share an intimate love for and knowledge of one another. A small group needs to be a safe place where people feel comfortable in sharing life’s joys and troubles. It takes a long time to build that trust and love with others and that process must be respected and nurtured.

One the other hand, groups need to be intentional about growth. Either growing their own group or starting new ones simply because others desperately need what you are experiencing…community.

So it seems we may be at an impasse. How do we grow groups without breaking up the good thing we have going? It’s really quite simple. Notice I said simple – not easy. If  this method is to work, leaders must be proactive in replicating themselves. The acrostic SEND ONE details the steps in this mission-minded method.

Seek guidance from the Holy Spirit

Pray that God lead someone in the group to be an apprentice leader. Make it a regular prayer during your group prayer time as well as in your daily prayers. Encourage your group members to do the same. It would be a safe bet that if the Lord brings someone to your mind, He’s working on them as well.

Explain by casting a vision

Every servant leader must be able to effectively cast a vision for people to want to follow them. This is no exception. You need to frequently tell your group that there are many in the church who are missing out on the very community that we, not only enjoy, but need. Encourage group members to use their spiritual gifts in group life. That may be leading the group in worship, planning ministry projects, organizing social events for fellowship or perhaps realizing their gift of leadership.

Name potential and apprentice leaders

Look for leadership traits. They aren’t always easy to spot. The following are a few such characteristics. Most of these traits in servant leaders can be subtle, but they will be present.

Develop potential and apprentice leaders

If the prospective leader is a member of Crossroads Community Church and open to being a leader, ask him or her to apprentice lead with you in the group. This will give them an opportunity to share responsibilities and to help facilitate discussion. The next step for them would be to attend a Small Group Leader Training. The new leader will be assigned a Community Leader to help him/her get a new group started.

Outsource new leader

The new leader will leave their original group to start the new group. Before they leave, group members can have lay hands on the new leader and pray for them before they are sent out – in the same way we’d send a missionary out on a mission trip.

New group development

The new leader will receive potential group members from a combination of the Small Group Ministry Leadership Team and recruiting themselves. The new leader should quickly find an apprentice leader. If the new group leader plans to return his/her old group, they should be up front with that right from the start with the apprentice leader. The leader should include the apprentice on all aspects of group leadership providing opportunities to share responsibility. The leader along with the Community Leader should provide close mentorship with the apprentice leader.

Esteem and welcome them back

After the new group is up and running and the apprentice is comfortable leading the group on their own, the leader is free to come back to the original group if they wish. If this is the case, the original group needs to welcome them back with open arms.

Community Cafe is an informal  gathering where we navigate the waters of small group leadership together.

Last month we looked at our calling as leaders focused on how we should shepherd our groups grow more spiritually mature.

This month we are going to specifically look at fining people to mentor in our groups to raise them up as leaders.

We will also discuss anything that you might have on your mind as well.

I highly encourage you to attend if at all possible. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to drop me an e-mail. I appreciate all you do!

Just a reminder that all Crossroads Small Group Leaders are invited to the first monthly gathering of the “Community Cafe” on Thursday, April 8 at 7:00 PM. We will gather in the Cafe @ Crossroads.

We are going to discuss how we can evaluate if our small groups are growing spiritually. We will also devote a large amount of time to general discussion.

I highly encourage you to attend if at all possible. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to drop me an e-mail. I appreciate all you do!

In Him,

Deering

Click here to watch the live feed of the reading of God’s Word through Wednesday afternoon, April 7.

Proclaim! is a 74 consecutive hour Bible reading and prayer event at Crossroads. We will begin Easter Sunday, April 4 at 2:00 PM and conclude at 4:00 PM on Wednesday, April 7.

Wouldn’t it be great if  your entire small group signed up for a block of time and read God’s Word aloud together in the Auditorium? I had one small group leader tell me that she and her group are going to participate in the middle of the night gathering to pray together and take turns reading. How cool is that?

All you need to do is stop by the Go Missions kiosk to reserve a block of time. The folks there can help you with any questions you may have.

The purpose of Community Cafe gatherings is to help you help your small group grow – to grow in Christ and in biblical community.

The format is very casual. Small group leaders will have the opportunity to share what is going on in their groups. We will dedicate a portion on time to God’s word and prayer. We will also look at some helpful resources to better equip you as the leader of your small group.

Our first meeting of the Community Cafe will be Thursday, April 8th. We are going to spend some time talking about ways to foster community and connection as we move into the summer months.

These gatherings are not mandatory, but I do encourage you to attend. Perhaps you can learn something that will help your small group grow spiritually – or maybe you have a perspective that will help another leader with their group.

Let’s meet over a cup of coffee and and see what God has in store for us!

All Crossroads U. classes are canceled tonight and tomorrow night. We’ll resume as scheduled next Tuesday and Wednesday. In the meantime, stay safe and warm today!