Small Group Ministry Part 3

In episode 34, Pastor Trent and Pastor Greg talk about being busy training and developing small group leaders, joined by the Pastor of Development, Heath Bennett.

Show Notes

How to become a Small Group Leader?
  • First, you have to be in a small group or being a co-leader for six months.
  • All leaders must attend Camp III, the third class in our Journey Process.
  • Camp III helps you to grow as a leader through exercises in leadership style.
  • Self-awareness in leadership is critical.
  • We want them to see where they are in their stages of spiritual maturity.
Ground rules for Small Group Leaders
  • You have to have rules for leaders as you are leading your group. This is how we are going to operate as a small group. It brings accountability into our groups.
  • Confidentiality: we want the environment to be a safe place to share so people can be open, honest, and real.
  • Things are to remain confidential, but when it needs to be shared with higher leadership, it works its way up the pipeline, starting with their coach.
  • Transparency: we want the environment to be a place where people can share and be vulnerable.
  • Transparency gets to the heart of what people are thinking about and dealing with.
  • Leaders should be encouraging members to share openly in the group but should know that this might not happen right away.
  • This is why we keep our groups closed for a season.
  • No Convincing: we want them to feel like we are not trying to convince them of one way to think or see things.
  • Convincing happens so easily, but we want to get to the Bible.
  • The art of listening and knowing how to ask good questions is such an important ingredient for a small group leader.
  • When you listen it brings more value to the group because it makes it a safe place.
  • When you ask a hard question, people need to feel the weight of that moment.
  • My job is not to fix you, but you help you become a better disciple of Jesus.
  • Every group is going to have fixers, rescuers, cross-talkers.
  • I statements
  • Everything that we are learning and growing in is personal.
  • We want to put a stop to discussing other people in our meetings.
Quotes
  • Self-awareness in leadership is critical. (PH QUOTE) (QUOTE GRAPHIC)
  • When you ask a hard question, people need to feel the weight of that moment (PT QUOTE).
  • My job is not to fix you, but you help you become a better disciple of Jesus. (PH QUOTE).
  • The art of listening and knowing how to ask good questions is such an important ingredient for a small group leader. (PG QUOTE)
  • Every group is going to have fixers, rescuers, and cross-talkers (PG QUOTE).