April 23, 2024
By Chris Surratt
If there is any “good” to come out of our current COVID-19 crisis, it’s that churches have been forced to reexamine the health of their current programs and ministries. What was working to help create disciples nine months ago may no longer be as effective.
It has also helped shine a spotlight on ministries that have been just existing for some time — even before this pandemic — but are not producing fruit like they once were.
For many of these churches, small groups are designed to be the spiritual and relational lifeblood for the congregation. Groups are the environment where the message of the gospel is lived out through the practice of the “one-anothers.”
Therefore, if groups are that important to the current and future state of the church, we should do everything we can now to ensure they’re healthy and resourced for success. Here are four ways to help make that happen.
Small groups and discipleship aren’t normally at the top of the budget needs for churches. Groups are a somewhat low-maintenance and self-sustaining ministry line item.
In order for groups to function effectively in this new reality, there will have to be more invested financial resources, in the depth and quality of what’s being studied, in staffing for discipleship, and in helping group leaders and hosts provide a safe and welcoming environment.
Whether your small groups are meeting in-person again or online, it is time for a curriculum refresh. If your only option for curriculum is printed materials right now, it will be more difficult for online groups to utilize it fully. LifeWay now provides all of it’s ongoing and short-term studies in digital formats.
Providing studies based on the weekend message is also a great option for new groups and groups who are currently only meeting online. Smallgroup.com is a tool that makes the process of writing your own studies faster and easier.
The option to join a group can no longer be three clicks away on the website, or a once-or-twice a year emphasis from the pulpit. The church website was considered the new lobby for the church, but it’s now the lobby, bulletin, and sometimes the stage.
Getting people assimilated into groups has to be easy and obvious from the first page of your website. Online Zoom groups have made this easier than ever, but in-person groups will need to be as well.
Sheep will follow where the shepherd leads. Research shows that churches with leaders who are highly invested in groups have more people in the congregation actively attending groups.
If the lead communicators are actively involved in groups and frequently share stories from those group experiences, people will understand they’re a priority. If groups are just another option listed on the website, they’ll most likely pass on them.
This next season of ministry will require much from our small groups and leaders. Let’s do everything we can to make sure they’re as healthy as they can be!
Chris Surratt is a Lifeway Small Groups and Discipleship Consultant.
