Creating community part cinq

I left our small group last night with mixed emotions. I was on the one hand excited about those who were genuinely interested in starting a small group (our small group was a "turbo" group that was created so that couples could come together to experience small group with the possibility of starting one this fall. We had our usual fun time together sharing, connecting and praying together.

On the other hand, it was sad, because it was the last time that we will together on a consistent basis as a group.

Relationships were formed, bonds were created.

We prayed and Alex got a new job.

We ministered to Dan and Barb when Dan's dad passed away.

We prayed with Matt and Elizabeth concerning some extended family issues.

To be candid with you, that might not have happened if we weren't in relationship, connecting with each other.

Here's some observations we came away with from our group (not in any order):

Keep the group small
Let the group evolve to its own purpose
Relationships are the purpose
Be flexible as to attendance
Find ways to reach those who don't know Christ is select settings and times outside of regular small group meetings
Be vulnerable (vulnerability brings forth vulnerability)
Don't worry if the house if perfect or not
Use paper plates
Just do it!
Learn as you go
Each small group meeting can be different


Now then, let's summarize the section five of Andy Stanley's book, Creating community.

This section is entitled, "processes need reality".

Stanley writes, "we must make a distinction between a person who leads a group meeting and a person who leads a group."

A person who leads a group meeting can be anyone in the group who is comfortable with navigating the discussion.

He writes, "because of this, we encourage our groups to rotate responsibility for leading the discussion" (which we did in our small group with a lot of success).

A person who leads or oversees a group, on the other hand, is someone who meets five reasonable criteria.

1. Leaders have to be connected. Connected to First Assembly.

2. Leaders need character.

3. Leaders must embrace our groups culture, that "relational" is the word to describe where we want to be at First Assembly.

4. Leaders must have good chemistry with other leaders

5. Leaders need to have a level of competence.

The role of the leader is simply to serve as a shepherd in two ways: by faciliating the group and by monitoring the group.

This has to do with process issues, such as where the group is headed, when and where the group meets, who is leading the group and what the group will be studying. Also....People issues, such as how connected people are feeling, how openly people are sharing, how much people are growing, and whether the group is poised to multiply.

Stanley goes on to write that we don't need more information to start a small group, we simply need to apply what we know.

We have so brainwashed the church that we think to effectively minister we must sit in rows and fill a notebook with ideas and "learn" the concepts before we serve.

BUT THAT DOES NOT WORK IN BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS!

I quote, "people need to be trained around the core principles they need to know, not an endless amount of information that is nice for them to know."

What are the six essentials we need to know?

1. Think life change. The purpose of a small group is to see life change.

2. Cultivate relationships. Relationships are like bank accounts: They require regular, intentional deposits.

3. Promote participation

4. Replace yourself As leaders, we train leaders while we lead.

5. Provide care.

6. Multiply influence...Multiply!

Finally, Stanley writes that we must set up for success.

We set ourselves up by success by focusing on the few things we do really well and keeping our church's strategy simple.

We don't try to do everything.

I quote, "if a ministry isn't a step toward community, we don't do it."

wow.

Let me end this series on a personal note.

I am convinced that this is the direction we need to go as a church family. I know that not everybody will get excited about small groups (that's not my expectation level), and I know that small group ministry is not perfect.

But it's biblical, personal, relational and takes up beyond our own personal comfort zones to a lifestyle of truly living our faith. Isn't that what it's all about?