June-August “Growing Your Group”

Good news: most people want their church small group ministry to expand. Bad news: most groups resist multiplication! Summer months provide excellent opportunities to reach out in inviting others to share the advantages of spiritual community that you have experienced within your small group. Having a more casual social focus enhances the process of growing your groups. Here are some ideas:

• Decide as a group, through prayer and discussion, if multiplication of your group is a wise and viable option
• Identify two or three group members within your group who exhibit healthy leadership gifts as the potential new team
• Pray about and begin asking others not in small groups to consider joining your summer group
• Begin with a cookout or potluck…nothing fancy…twice a month
• Build relationships, spend a short time in devotional study, have fun and always end with short conversational prayer
• Keep contact with those who attend and encourage them to consider participating in a fall small group
• Watch group dynamics and build upon apparent relationships for forming two small groups
• Make sure you have a plan where everyone in your original small group is on the same page!

Multiplying groups in this context is gradual and more naturally accepted. You can utilize this process for forming two bible study nurture groups or for creating an outreach group to present Christianity to those who are unchurched. There are numerous options. So… if you resist change and want to stay together because it’s comfortable, the challenge for you is to start praying for God’s bigger picture and create venues for those waiting for a small group experience!

Happy summer!