Ministry of Jesus

We had about 10 new small group leaders go through our initial training/orientation last night. Both campuses were represented. The orientation goes over some nuts and bolts, but more than anything it establishes the vision and heart of our small groups ministry.

Leading a small group about doing the ministry of Jesus who gathered a small group of disciples and discipled them by being with them, teaching them, sending them, serving hurting people, creating community in his group and praying for them and with them.

Our small group leaders are at the core of what we do to bring lives to Christ and Christ to everyday life. Their model is Jesus. Their mission is to disciple, create community and lead in mission. They're not alone. They have their coaches. They have the momentum of a church formed around and focused on small groups. They have training. They have their group members (it's a team sport), especially the help of their PEACE Leaders and the partnership coordinators to fuel and supply their mission outside the group. They have the promised presence of Jesus and the power of the Spirit in their lives. And they have the joy of seeing lives changed and having a role in that.

I haven't led a small group leader orientation in a few years and I had a blast. I can't wait for the next one. In fact, I've decided to put the staff leadership team through a refresher, so it will come soon.

I'm thinking about...healthy small groups

I'm thinking about including a quarterly small group "audit" for groups to evaluate how they're doing as a group. What are the essential things that have to be in place for a group to be effective in doing discipleship, community and mission? Here's what I have in mind. Anybody have any other ideas? I want it to be short and get to the essentials, rather than comprehensive. I feel like I'm cheating by listing the extra bulleted questions. Is there another way to do it?

Take the “Keys to a Healthy Small Group” Quarterly Audit

Discuss these questions as a group. Answer “yes” to all of these questions and you are well on the way to being a group that is effective in discipleship, community and mission because you are sharing responsibility.  If you can’t answer “yes,” discuss what next actions you need to take.

1. Do we have a healthy balance of fellowship, Bible study and prayer in our meeting times?
2. Do we share the responsibilities of being in community?

• Do we have a PEACE Leader?
• Do others besides the leaders take turns facilitating the study?
• Does someone other than the leader coordinate snacks and socials?
• Does someone other than the leader coordinate childcare?

3. Do we care for each other in times of need?
4. Does everyone make group attendance a priority?
5. Have we participated in a local or global PEACE effort in the last three months?