Activate

Thinking about a Fall Semester of Groups, I read through Nelson Searcy’s book, Activate: An Entirely New Approach to Small Groups. It’s a great tool…a practical ministry book with a systems approach (how-to with practical application that moves beyond theory).

Here are 10 top takeaways from his book:

1. Think larger, not smaller. Larger groups minimize the weirdo factor, anticipates that not everyone who signs up will show up, and means less work for the facilitator.
2. The Four Spaces of Spiritual Growth are: a) public space, b) social space, c) personal space, and d) intimate space. Social space not initmate space is the purpose of Small Groups.
3. Be simple in your approach to groups and ministry. Too many options result in multiple focuses and lowered involvement; you won’t have full participation or momentum in any one area.
4. Entry into a group must be absolutely simple and fool proof. A one-step sign-up process, which removes barriers will greatly increase the number of people who decide to join a group.
5. Your small groups must function as a SYSTEM. Systems save you time, stress, energy, and money.
6. Every person on the church staff should have a hand in the development of small groups. Think full staff participation, not staff specialist.
7. Think decentralization, not control. As long as you have complete control over your small group system, you will only be able to go to a certain level before you plateau. Groups will multiply faster and be healthier when you trust God with your volunteer leaders and your volunteer leaders with your people.
8. The implementation of your small groups should go through a four month process cycle: a) focus, b) form, c) fill, and d) facilitate. Good ideas are common- what’s uncommon are people who’ll work hard enough to bring them about.
9. When planning for each semester, you need to have a goal of how many people will be attending Sunday mornings weekly during that semester. Then, you should have a goal to have 100% or more of that Sunday number in a group. Divide that number by 20 and that’s how many groups you should have giving you a basis for how many leaders, co-leaders, coaches, and managers you need to have in place.
10. When filling your group, you need to be strategic using multiple avenues for recruitment, tactics for getting the message out, and be singular in your message during that month of recruitment. Never underestimate the power of someone telling the story of their changed life through their group.