Developing Small Group Leaders

If churches choose to adopt a structure that is best for making people into disciples, they will use small groups extensively, which makes developing small group leaders a top priority.

Churches that make their Sunday morning services their priority will end up producing mostly spectators.

Whether we consciously realize it or not, those who attend such churches often come to see and hear a “show” or a production. Mega-churches make no bones about it. They realize how important is their Sunday production and allocate their best people and resources toward making it the best possible. Church members at such institutions will likely praise the worship, the sermon, or the various programs on offer. I remember hearing a big fan of such a church tell me that one can tell a good church by the quality of the sermon.

While a good sermon, worship, and programs are tremendous, the proper goal for churches should be to produce disciples who are becoming proficient in ministry and disciple making in their own right.

As a caveat, many event-focused churches do a great job in preaching the gospel and involve their people in worthwhile ministries. However, in production-focused churches, many do nothing more than attend the Sunday “show” and hopefully contribute financially. I think it goes without saying that the people who attend such churches like it that way, as do the church leaders; otherwise, they would structure things differently. The ostensible reason for doing church this way is to efficiently gather people to receive ministry from highly trained and gifted ministers.

If our goal, however, is to equip, develop, and launch people into ministry, small groups tend to provide a much better format. Every small group needs a leader, a host family, a worship leader, a Bible teacher, a kid’s minister, etc. If the group grows and splits into a second group, which should be the goal, double that number of leaders and ministers. The need to provide a show is non-existent. Generally the challenge is to find people who are willing to accept responsibility and grow in leadership and ministry skills, no matter what their current level of development.

At the small group level of church, when people begin to do something outside their previous comfort zone or ability, it is celebrated and encouraged, since growth is the goal, not a high level production.

Another benefit to small groups, if they are run properly, is that they involve everyone in discussing God’s Word together, worshiping, prayer, and interpersonal ministry, often around a fellowship meal. If groups are kept small enough, it is impossible to avoid getting to know people and being known, as we share our thoughts, needs, and cares honestly with one another.

Many prefer the anonymity of a larger church, which probably accounts to some degree for the popularity of the the traditional American church model. But why do attend church gatherings? Is it to spectate and go home, or do we want to grow as a disciple?

If a church believes that small groups provide the greatest opportunity to develop disciples; then, one of our greatest needs is to develop new leaders. Groups cannot multiply unless leaders do.

Apprenticeship is the best method to develop leaders in a disciple making church.

Time can be devoted to teaching basic concepts and principles in a one-on-one or classroom setting, but most of the useful training will happen by observation and by doing, especially when such is accompanied by feedback.

A streamlined way to maximize the apprenticeship process is for the church leader to meet weekly with an apprentice and current small group leaders to teach them the Bible lesson that all the small groups will use the following week.

Teaching teachers is a wonderful way to multiply ministry.

The small group leaders can be instructed to take what they learn and translate it into their own ministry style, without losing the essence of the message. Those top leaders who want to retain complete control over content will balk at allowing any deviation from the official script, but once again we must ask, “What is the goal?” Are we trying to duplicate the official church teaching or develop people who are capable ministers in their own right? In order to clarify, as parents, what is our goal? Do we want children who grow up to lead their own families, or do we want them to live at home forever under our leadership and decision making? Should we not have similar goals for those we disciple?

No matter what method we use to grow people as disciples, there will always be risk.

There will always be the danger of leaders taking the people and running off with them. There is the concern that they may distort the truth and lead people into error. There is the possibility that small group leaders might become spiritual bullies or lazy do nothings. The list goes on, but developing and launching people into ministry is always hazardous. Ask any parent. Even God’s kids often went astray, and he is the perfect parent. Jesus had a disciple go off the “rails,” so to speak. It is the nature of the world in which we live. We have no guarantees how things will turn out, but when we see a child or disciple develop into a loving, responsible adult or leader, it is well worth it.