One way to guarantee burnout and discouragement as a Small Group Leader is is to do everything for your small group by yourself without any help. So, how do you get others to step up and take on some responsibility for the group? Here are several key ways you can guarantee long term success in developing others:
- First, Pray! – I know, I know…sounds very “christian-eze” like and cliche too. BUT…you simply cannot underestimate the power of prayer. The Lord says, “we have not because we ask not”. So, ask the Lord to give you fellow laborers in this disciple making harvest called Small Groups!
- Ask someone! -Seems obvious right?! Here is some clarity – ask someone specifically, face to face! I heard a leadership talk once where the speaker said, “leaders don’t usually respond to the ‘all-call’, they like to be asked personally”. When you ask, give them clear guidelines, a timeline, a definitive role, specific tasks, let them know they will not be out there by themselves, but you will walk alongside them to encourage, support, help, and coach. Be clear.
- Start small! – Jesus said, “he who is faithful with little will be rewarded with much”. Don’t shoot for the moon right away and try to land the next leader for the new group that is going to branch off of yours. Assign a simple task or responsibility, like prayer time (leading it or just taking down the requests and emailing them out to the group after the meeting), or the opening icebreaker question, or taking attendance, or planning the next fun event, dinner, or service project. Keep it simple, check on progress, offer to help, and evaluate and give feedback afterward.
- Create positions! – Make a position out each of the 5 elements of a healthy small group as seen in this diagram:
Then, share it with the group, so they can see and understand the different components of a group, then, make the “BIG ASK” of individuals. You can also consider the 5 different purposes of the church as positions, which are closely related: they are as follows: Evangelism, Worship, Fellowship, Discipleship, and Ministry. - Use Giftings! – God has uniquely gifted each person in your group so that the whole benefits and actually grows in God’s love as they use their spiritual gift. Let Holy Spirit work through His Word by planning a study on Ephesians 4:11-16 for your group. Pass out a spiritual gifts test for each person to complete in group or take our online version. Their spiritual gifting will help you know who could teach, or take care of hospitality, or any other position.
- Practice! Practice! – At some point you need to just let someone lead. To use a sports analogy, ‘you have to let them get some reps’! They are not going to do it like you would or even prefer, but you have to let them do it. They will only get better by doing it, you debriefing with them for encouragement and correction, and them trying again.
- Consider all! -Sometimes, the best leader is the one you’re not considering! A couple of tried and true grids for identifying potential leaders are the 3 C’s and the F.A.T. acrostic. Do they have Character, Competency, and Chemistry and are they Faithful, Available, and Teachable?
Developing disciple-making leaders takes time, dont get discouraged and dont give up. Keep the mission in focus and in front of your group members. Cast the vision that your group is not a ‘holy huddle’, but a mission driven environment to grow groups, people, and leaders for God’s Kingdom and His Church!
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