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…