In Andy Stanley's book, Creating Community, he list six essentials (or six priorities) for small group leaders. He says that if leaders will implement these six they will be extremely effective in leading their groups. What are the six? They are:
1. Think Life-change. When it comes to group format, activities, and study material always think Life-change. Group leaders should strive to create an environment where participants experience authentic community and spiritual growth.
2. Cultivate Relationships. Stanley says that relationships are like bank accounts: they don't just happen. Plan activities that will intentionally build relationships (eating meals together, doing service projects together, praying together, etc...).
3. Promote Participation. Leaders navigate and find ways to involve others. Find ways include others through assigning tasks and asking open-ended questions.
4. Replace Yourself. Good leaders look ahead to the future by apprenticing someone else. This is not just an assistant, but a future leader of your group or another one.
5. Provide Care. In a lot of ways you act as the shepherd of your group. When tragedy strikes, surgeries are scheduled, financial struggles hit, etc... group leaders spring into action.
6. Multiply Influence. This may be the most difficult, but can also be the most rewarding. If a group leader can get his/her group to see the big picture about the benefits of mulitplying it can be a wonderful thing. A group that has 20 members has a hard time growing anymore, but if that group breaks up into two groups of 10, each group has an opportunity to add 10 more people. By multiplying you just increased your chances of doubling the number from the original group.
What do you think about these 6 essentials?
About Me
- Gilbert
- I'm a minister who loves to have fun with people. I love to read books that challenge me and I love to challenge other people to think.
2 comments:
Life Groups are like families. Each family is different in some way ~ as is each Life Group. Topics written may work great for one family but not for another. I think the 6 Leadership Essentials are a good base to start with but then the Leader needs to develop them to work with his own group. As the group changes then the Leader needs to be flexible. I think this article should have 7 Leadership Essentials. The 7th - Flexiblity.
Good thoughts!
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