Group meetings range from small Bible studies, mentoring, steering committees, to full congregation worship services. It’s important to be intentional with these meetings if you want to make the most of them.
In order to make the most of time spent, you’ll want to define each group.
List what groups meet, how many participate in each, and its mission and goals. Set review dates to evaluate each group.
Understand group dynamics:
- Small group offers a personal level of transformative interaction
- Mentoring nurtures intimate, personal growth through experienced mentor and is best kept to the same sex
- Steering committees are more business and goal oriented
- Worship services, open to all, are usually larger and focus on God
Engage members:
- Small groups: use personal greetings, discussions, prayer needs, and encourage chats about individual lives
- Large groups: use greeters, singing, reading responses, and reflective questions, such as asking people to reflect on blessings before an offering
- Steering committees: welcome group, use agendas, member reports, and assign tasks to utilize member skills
- Mentoring: Encourage listening and responding to mentee’s needs
Use time wisely
Be sure to define the purpose of your groups. Meetings should focus the bulk of time on purpose. For example, if half the time members discuss prayer needs, but it‘s not a prayer group, suggest using prayer slips or emailing prayer requests between meetings to keep things streamlined.
- Prevent drifting off-topic by reminding members of mission/goals. But, be flexible to give members in need time.
- Ask if each group is needed. If the purpose has been met, dissolve the group to free members for new commitments.
- Be sure the group is strengthening bonds with member appreciation.
Karen Whiting (karenwhiting.com) is an international speaker, former television host, and the author of eighteen books, including Stories of Faith and Courage from the Home Front.
