Small%Groups%for%Vital%Congregations

A%presentation%for%Leadership%UMC%2016>17

by%the%Joyful%Servants

Patricia%Bell%%%%% Judy%Campbell%% Bill%Ford% Rich%Hartshorn%%%%

Luis%Hernandez Alonzo%McCord Mary%Ragland John%Sellars

Randy%Brown,%facilitator

To%give%a%foundation%for%designing%and%

nurturing%small%groups%and%programs%to%

produce%fruitful%&%vital%congregations.

Objective

Framework

!Bear%Good%Fruit

!History

!Small%Groups%as%Gardens

!Nurture%&%Sustain

!Harvest

!Varieties

!Questions?

Bear%Good%Fruit

“If%you%walk%in%My%statutes%and%keep%My%

commandments%so%as%to%carry%them%out,%

then%I%shall%give%you%rains%in%their%season,%

so%that%the%land%will%yield%its%produce%

and%the%trees%of%the%field%will%bear%their%fruit.”Leviticus 26:3-4 NASB

CC%BY%3.0 Photo%by%Bill%Ebbesen%%%

History

! The%Anglican%is%called

! The%Church%– the%cog

! The%small%group%method

"Oh%let%no%man%think%his%labor%

of%love%is%lost%because%the%fruit%

does%not%immediately%appear."

> John%WesleyPhoto%by%Mike%Peel%(www.mikepeel.net) CC%BY>SA%4.0

Small%Groups%as%Gardens

!Set%Goals%for%Your%Gardens

!Quantifiable!Achievable

!Recruit%Qualified%Gardeners

!Good People Skills!Mature Christians!Humble, Willing Servants

Small%Groups%as%Gardens

!What%Type%of%Garden?

!Outreach/Mission/Task-oriented!Study !Care/Self-help/Fellowship!Transformative/Spiritual Growth!Whatever Fills a Need

Small%Groups%as%Gardens

!Decide%When%to%Plant

!Fall!First of the Year!After Easter!Whatever Works for

YOUR church

●Seeding%Your%Garden●Campaign●Invitation

Modified%Photo,%original%by%Michele%M.%Martin%at

The%Bamboo%Project% CC%BY>NC>SA%3.0

Small%Group%as%Gardens

● Set%Garden’s%Boundaries● Timeframe of Group● Open or closed?● Scheduled Meeting Breaks?● Confidentiality

● Cultivate%the%Soil● Pastor References in Sermons● Leadership Support & Involvement

Nurture%&%Sustain

!Consult%the%Specialist

!God's Word

!Cross%Pollination

!You are a Team

!Sunlight%and%Water

!Positive Feedback

Nurture%&%Sustain

!Pray,%Enrich,%Cultivate

!Adjust as Needed

!Assess/Self>Evaluate

!Observe Often, Carefully

Harvest

!Harvest%Defined

!Christ%Focus

Varieties:%Long>Term

! True%Community

!Each%Member%Participates

!Group%Evangelism

!Disciple%Formation

Varieties:%Long>Term

• Bible Study Groups• 50/50 Groups• Ministry Groups• Recovery Groups• Community Involvement

Groups• Sports Programs

Varieties:%Task>Oriented

• Interest>Based

• Need>Based

Varieties:%Task>Oriented

! Stop Hunger Now! Movie Theme Night! Community Service Projects! Camp Glisson Work Day! UMCOR! Gilmer Relief And Service Project! Cartecay Community Christmas Celebration

Varieties

What%Varieties%Can%YOU%Think%Of?

LUMC%2016>17

Joyful%Servants

Questions?%