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
Objective: To give a framework for designing and growing age-level and mixed-age-group small groups and programs as a part of a fruitful & vital congregation.
Agenda
History Critical Beginning Steps
Group Creation & Dynamics Nurturing & Sustaining
Harvest Varieties
Questions?
History When Where How
"Oh let no man think his labor of love is lost because the fruit does not immediately appear."- John Wesley
Critical Beginning Steps Set GoalsQuantifiableAchievable
Decide Group PurposeOutreach / Mission / Task-oriented Study Care / Self-help / Fellowship Transformative / Spiritual Growth
Recruit Qualified Leader(s) Humble Servant(s) Good People Skills
Group Creation & Dynamics
● Decide When to Start● Get Group Members
● Campaign● Invitation
● Set Group Ground Rules● Timeframe of Group● Open or closed?● Confidentiality● Scheduled Meeting Breaks?
● Create Culture for Success● Pastor Talks it Up in Sermons● Leadership Support & Involvement
Nurturing & Sustaining Consult the Specialist: Scripture Cross-pollination Required You are a team
Adequate Water & Sunlight Needed Prayer Bible Study
Prune & Fertilize Carefully Fruitful & Loving Training
Check for Disease / PestsAssessments are Crucial
Harvest
Type of Small Group
Type of Small Group
Type of Small Group
Type of Small Group Type of Small Group Type of Small Group
Type of Small Group
Varieties
Examples
LUMC 2016-17Joyful Servants
Questions?