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).