Overworked...

Part 3 of 7 - Addressing the issues of “The Seven Deadly Sins of Small Group Ministry”

Sin Three: Poor Coaching Structure – This was an easy one for me to identify after attending the ’08 Willow Group Life conference. You see from day one, we had put a coaching structure in place, since I the point leader had a bit more than just small groups in my portfolio, I knew that I would need help. So you may be asking, “If you had coaches, how was it poor structure?”

I quickly learned a few things from Mike Hurt in his Group Life breakout session that we had an overloaded span of care with our coaches. The very burnout that I was trying to avoid had been placed upon my coaches in an unfair way. Essentially, I was asking them to do something even I could not do… I had loaded them up with a 6:1 group to coach ratio. Not only that, but I had failed to give them proper introductions and pretty much expected them to make cold calls. Now that we have them down to a more manageable 3:1 ratio, they can more effectively perform their role.

Probably one of the next areas we need to address is our follow-up process and how we can enhance it. We seem to have had good success with our one-on-one sessions, but will be looking to add coach and leader huddles that are as fun and productive as our point leader and coach huddles.

I really feel blessed to be surrounded by a great team that is willing to take a proactive approach and role in the lives of others.

Whos in Charge...

Part 2 of 7 - Addressing the issues of “The Seven Deadly Sins of Small Group Ministry”

Sin Two: Lack of Point Leadership – Chapter 3 of the book we are discussing helps churches in the decisions of picking point leadership and their job description. Since I already function as the point leader in my primary role and our lead pastor made that choice, I really won’t address too much in this area except to make a few suggestions. The point leader position really should be in a pastoral portfolio and with someone that loves relationships and wants to be part of people’s lives. Also, anyone that is looking to set up a small group ministry really should consider the book by Bill Donahue on “Leading Life Changing Small Groups”, as it will offer a great foundation that you can build upon.

So, on to chapter 4 and the areas that the chosen point leader must excel in. A good mix of spiritual gifts to include leadership, administration, and discernment to name a few are essential. These of course are extremely important skills found in any key leader, but are extremely important to small group ministry and really should be carried out by the point leader.

All in all, I am finding what is of most importance for a small group ministry point leader, is that we actually live out community. It is very difficult to constantly practice what you preach or communicate vision for the small group ministry, but it has to be done. Sometimes along the way you will even hear complaining comments like “Wow, does everything with you have to be about small groups?” Well, as a matter of fact, "yes that’s my job!" Perception may very well be the toughest struggle or slipping sin in this area; the small group point leader must continually be communicating the vision, recruiting new leaders, and trying to expand the ministry.

It seems to me that the big sin is when the right leader is chosen but then begins to pull back from this role with other distractions or develops a, this is good enough for now attitude. Press on leaders, press on…

Clearing Up what is Unclear…

Part 1 of 7 - Addressing the issues of “The Seven Deadly Sins of Small Group Ministry”

Sin One: Unclear Ministry Objectives – So, what is the objective? To start, we have built a plan of Christian education and spiritual growth based upon a definition supplied by the Assemblies of God discipleship ministry agency. And second, to be carried out through a community of small groups. Ok, that seems reasonable… but that’s not how we used to do it! And for a while, maybe some did think “who stole my church”.

Until recently, I don’t think we really ever planted the flag and said that our way of doing classical church has changed and that small group’s is how we will help accomplish the goal of spiritual formation. Perhaps a bit of an oversight, but after doing things a certain way for some thirty years, you can’t just rip the band-aid off and say “there now do that”.

The simple fact is; the model of the church has to continually evolve with culture to remain relevant. Someone mentioned that it is easier to plant a church than to revitalize one, but according to the definition of the word revitalize (to give new life, vitality, and vigor); we really must be in a constant revitalization process weather the church is a new plant or has a long rich history.

So with the objective set forth, you still have to decide if it is to be a model of Church with, of, or is… small groups. The general consensus is that we will eventually become a church of small groups. Did we ever clearly communicate that? If not, there it is.

Connecting People to God… People to People… and People to Their Ministry Gifts. That is our vision, and is one that is somewhat easy to accomplish providing the people embrace it and the small group ministry that is set up to accomplish the goal. Just remember, it will continually have to be revitalized to accomplish the goal, so we as leaders and participants alike have to be open to change.

I feel our objective is very good, so what area have we missed the mark when it comes to sin one and the issue of unclear ministry objectives? Communication… We just have to get better at communicating our objectives more clearly.

Addressing the Sins…

When shuffling through my small group library a few weeks back, I came across my copy of “The Seven Deadly Sins of Small Group Ministry”. When I noticed it on the shelf, I muttered something to the extent of “I’m still not sure why I purchased that book?” You see, when I first looked at it over a year ago, I said “well that was a waste of money… we have all of those issues covered!” I then placed it under a few more trendy titles that appealed to the eye and were not as hard hitting.

Much to my dismay, a year later and I picked the book up for a quick browse and I can easily identify areas that we have slipped, or sinned if you will. In virtually all seven areas that the book has addressed, we have room for improvement to some degree. Of course I don’t feel we have completely missed the mark or failed in any certain area, but sin is sin and sometimes you just need to deal with it.

So here is a running list of the “Seven Deadly Sins” we will address over the next 7 weeks for which you can subscribe for updates on or just tune in Monday’s for the next area to be addressed.

• Unclear Ministry Objectives
• Lack of Point Leadership
• Poor Coaching Structures
• Neglect of Ongoing Leadership Development
• Closed Group Mind-Set
• Narrow Definition of a Small Group
• Neglect of the Assimilation Process