Apr

28

Is it Time to Give Up on Your Small Group?

April 28, 2008 | Leave a Comment

Sam Neal has posted a great article called “When Is a Small Group ‘Just Another Meeting’?” on BuildingChurchLeaders.com. In it, he tells the story of Randy Frazee, who hand selected a model small group to lead, and then learned that the most exciting event of the evening was happening right next door in his neighborhood. He began to question whether his group was as important as he had thought.

Sam asks some excellent questions in this article and lists five ways to decide if it’s time to move on. Well worth reading.

However, I would also question the idea of a pastor hand picking a model group of the cool people. Why would he not model ministering to the more challenging people in the church? Why would he not minister to his neighbors by hosting a Tough Questions group? Something for all of us to think about…. Yes, we want to look good and have a relatively easy group to manage. But where might we serve the kingdom best? Your thoughts?

Apr

18

Vision, Vision, Vision — Part 5

April 18, 2008 | Leave a Comment

the Power of VisionYesterday we looked at a vision statement for a large urban church. Today we’ll consider the other end of the spectrum.

Example 2:
You’re the solo pastor of a struggling 50-member church in the Midwest. Your members are mostly long-time residents in a small town that is struggling to stay alive in these tough times. You have the opportunity to form a vision statement for the entire church, from which small groups will be one vehicle. How about?

To influence and equip members of ABC Church to live lives that will make a positive impact on the community of Smallville, bringing the light and hope of Jesus Christ into the homes, schools, businesses, and neighborhoods.

In this scenario you’ll probably have fewer small groups—maybe only three or four to begin with. Perhaps your vision for small groups would be:

To encourage every adult at ABC Church to actively participate in a small group in order to build effective community with one another and to learn how to positively impact their various spheres of influence for the gospel.

These groups may be more generally focused but the emphasis will be on 1) building community and 2) developing the skills and confidence to live effective lives among unbelievers.

I’d love to see what you come up with. Feel free to post your vision in the comment area or email me with your scenario and vision. Let’s share the wealth. Now go be intentional!

Apr

17

Vision, Vision, Vision — Part 4

April 17, 2008 | Leave a Comment

the Power of VisionWe’ve been studying how to develop an effective vision statement for a small group ministry. Let’s look at some examples to help you create your own.

Example 1:
Let’s say you’re the small groups pastor of an urban church of 1,000 members. Your church has a good socio-economic cross section of the community as a whole. Your church’s overall vision is to be missional and impact the unchurched in the city. What would be a good small group vision? How about:

To equip members of XYZ church to positively impact their workplaces and neighborhoods through strengthening marriages and families, impacting employer/employee relationships, and effectively sharing the good news of Jesus Christ.

Notice the formula and you can create your own.

To [verb] [who] [to do or become or accomplish what] [through or by what means].

From this vision statement, you can determine with your leaders, what kinds of groups will best accomplish this vision. Perhaps you’ll need some groups focused on marriage and others focused on parenting various age groups. You may need to train some group leaders to lead seeker groups in their neighborhoods and workplaces. As you challenge your leaders and encourage them to pick an area that excites them, you’ll find them buying into training. As you celebrate successes, you’ll build enthusiasm.

Apr

16

Vision, Vision, Vision — Part 3

April 16, 2008 | Leave a Comment

the Power of VisionSo how do we reconcile the member-directed and the God-directed vision? In Part 1, I said that vision needs to be member-directed, meeting the real and felt needs of real people. The real people in your congregation. How does that work?

Well, let’s assume the God knows the people in your congregation, and that He knows their real and felt needs. Ask him to show you clearly what those are. Where are your people hurting? What are the obstacles to their becoming the people God created them to be? If you understand their needs, then it will be easier to see God’s plan for meeting those needs. For example:

Are your members urban professionals trying to balance home and work—and too often failing?

Are your members single (or married) and dealing with purity issues?

Does it take two or more incomes to survive in your area? What’s left over for spiritual growth?

Are your members isolated by distance, economics, geography or other barriers?

If you know your congregation, you can begin developing at least a draft vision for the small group ministry so that those leaders are all moving in the same direction.

Tomorrow we’ll look at some sample vision statements.

Apr

15

Vision, Vision, Vision — Part 2

April 15, 2008 | 2 Comments

the Power of VisionYesterday we introduced the need for vision. So what is vision? George Barna in his classic book The Power of Vision: How You Can Capture and Apply God’s Vision for Your Ministry says, “Vision for ministry is a clear mental image of a preferable future imparted by God to His chosen servants and is based upon an accurate understanding of God, self, and circumstances.” He adds, “Vision for ministry is a reflection of what God wants to accomplish through you to build His kingdom.”

Ideally, your church has a vision and you can (and should) piggyback on that. The last thing the church needs is for small groups to be going east and children’s ministries to be going west. Every ministry of the church must fall under the vision of the church. If your church has one, that’s your starting point. If not, you need to have a conversation with your senior pastor and see if he’s open to working with the governing body to develop one.

But while you’re waiting, or if you end up doing this on your own, let’s look at the elements of vision and break that definition down into bite-sized pieces. (These are all discussed in more detail in his book.)

A clear mental image: Vision is a clear picture of the way things could or should be. You need to live with it long enough that you can literally see it in your mind’s eye.

A preferable future: Vision always entails change. It’s never about maintaining the status quo. You need to clearly see the changes that God wants in the future of your ministry. Why is that future better than the present? How will it honor God and serve your members more than what you’re doing now?

Imparted by God: Vision for ministry is a reflection of what God wants to accomplish through you to build His kingdom in your little corner of the earth. Avoid the trap of using business strategies to develop your vision. God’s plan may surprise you.

To His chosen servants: If God has chosen you to lead a ministry, then He’s chosen you to be the creator and communicator of the vision. You may need the gifts of others as you develop the vision and lead, but He wants to work through you, not someone else.

Based upon an accurate understanding of God, self, and circumstances: Barna says, “Vision reflects a realist perspective. Vision is not dreaming the impossible dream, but dreaming the most possible dream.” We can’t call be Rick Warren or Bill Hybels. That’s probably not God’s purpose for you anyway. Who are you? What are your gifts? Chances are, those are part of why He placed you in this church at this time. Those factors will play into the vision you develop. A good vision will stretch you, but is never intended to break you.

Tomorrow we’ll look at reconciling the vision of God with our members.

Apr

14

Vision, Vision, Vision — Part 1

April 14, 2008 | Leave a Comment

I spoke with a small group pastor the other day. He was frustrated that his leaders seemed to be all over the place in terms of skills, interests, and direction. He’s tried to conduct training sessions, but gets a less than 20% turnout. In his frustration, he’s beginning to demand participation in leadership events. What he’s getting instead is rebellion.

What’s going on here? Perhaps many things, but when I asked him about his vision for small groups in his church, he looked confused. It seems that they have small groups because… small groups are good. Effective churches have them…. People need small groups…

OK, but what’s the vision? Why should people give up a Wednesday night to attend a small group? What might a member hope to gain at the end of the year? How will the groups at this church help the members become better men and women, husbands and wives, community members, employees?

Notice that these questions are member-directed. They’re focused on the members and the outcomes in their lives. We must never do groups primarily to benefit the church for the simple reason that most people aren’t that altruistic. The reality is that people today are self-centered. They have needs and they expect the church to fill them. No, that’s not the ideal, but it’s reality. So, work with them. What are the felt needs of the members of your church? What will be of such incredible benefit to them that they will be willing to give up watching Lost to attend? Now, what are the real, underlying needs that those felt needs are a symptom of? Those are what need to frame your vision.

So a felt need might be, “I’m stuck in a dead end job and I hate it.” The real need might be to understand his identity in Christ and how even the most menial jobs offer opportunities for living out that identity.

A felt need might be, “My marriage is falling apart.” The real need may be to learn and practice strategies for obeying God’s image of marriage, even in the midst of disappointment and frustration.

Tomorrow we’ll discuss how a vision can help you develop groups to meet these real and felt needs.

Apr

9

Now That’s a Tough Question

April 9, 2008 | Leave a Comment

Are you ever been asked tough questions by small group members? Maybe it’s a theological question or a “why” question—“Why does evil exist?” Those can be challenging for most lay leaders, and it’s good to think about your principles for answering before you’re in the middle of the situation. Do you need to have the answer or simply facilitate a discussion? Do you know who you can ask for input?

Jeff at Jeff’s Deep Thoughts has an interesting post on how to handle tough questions. He makes six helpful suggestions that are worth considering. In an earlier post, he also discusses why it’s better to not think you have to have all the answers. Good points.

Mar

31

Interview in Ministry in Motion

March 31, 2008 | Leave a Comment

Dreambuilders Ministry in Motion has just published an interview with me to complement the article they published last week. Want to know a little more about the real Pat and the history of Why Didn’t You Warn Me?, check it out.

Mar

23

Article in Ministry in Motion

March 23, 2008 | Leave a Comment

Ministry in Motion (MIM) has just published an article I wrote on maturity and small group leadership called Growing Older or Growing Up? Your Focus as a Leader. You can read it on the Ministry in Motion website, as well as several other excellent articles. Teena Stewart of MIM has written a great book on small group leadership, which I’ll review soon.

Mar

22

Happy Resurrection Day!

March 22, 2008 | Leave a Comment

Daffodills

I want to wish each of you, my readers, a blessed Resurrection Day. May the reality of our Lord’s sacrifice renew your soul and spirit today. May you rest in His provision and His salvation.