Some Small Groups grow while others decline in numbers. Why is this? Well, there are several reasons. It's often been said that people who have been trained to recognize counterfeit money don't study counterfeit money; they study the real money so that they can immediately see the fake. Here's what the excellent Small Groups have in common:
1) They communicate well. The Small Groups that are flourishing at Fort Johnson have members that are in constant conversation over the course of the week. The leaders of these groups make mid-week contacts by phone, e-mail, or Facebook. If you're expecting the people on your roll to just show up each weekend without building relationships with them outside of church, then you're surely not seeing many positive results.
2) They choose great topics. The Small Groups that are flourishing at Fort Johnson pick great studies that address both felt needs and deeply spiritual questions. "Forty Weeks of Levitical Law" is not going to attract any curious seekers. "The Best Question Ever" by Andy Stanley will.
3) They publicize their group to the church. The Small Groups that are flourishing at Fort Johnson are excited about what is happening, and they let the church know that! They take advantage of Media Shout to post their topics on the weekend announcements. They ask the pastors to mention new studies during the greeting times of the worship services. They publish their topics in the worship guide and Family News. And they contact everyone on their roll (even inactive members) whenever they're about to begin a new study.
I've got to believe that you are not interested in teaching a "holy huddle," but that the thought of new attendees and even lost people being introduced to Christ through your Small Group is exciting! Are you doing the three things listed above to put your Small Group in the best possible situation to grow?
Friday, January 8, 2010
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