Small Groups
Their Purpose: Making Jesus known
Seeing lives transformed
very broad and allows for all sorts of expressions
of time, place and mechanisms, groups and sub-groups
be real: are we really doing that?
hold one another accountable against this plumbline
Their leaders: don't expect them to do it all - 
that's not their job
everyone has a responsibility for the success of the group
together, make it work within the parameters set
so what is the role of the leaders?
not administrators
not one-man ministry in another guise
they have responsibility to see that it happens, and to help make it happen, but not to do it
gather once a month to pray, receive training & support
everyone should be able to participate
whatever their age and life stage
choice creating
do things together
support one another to do separate things
organise activities to do together in the community
encourage one another to get involved in community activities
some practicalities
it's the whole community - C+YP
settling in period required
monthly pattern
let's get going now
rest of tonight we will be in groups
find out about one another, pray for success and agree first get together
It's the primary point of pastoral care
1st Wed: group leaders meet
3rd wed; whole church gathering for teaching and prayer
please seek to meet with others in your group at least twice a month
does that mean you have to meet without group leaders on the first wed?
does that mean you can only meet twice a month?
does the whole group have to meet twice a month?
a sample minimum plan:
1st week: everyone independently or together does something with neighbours, colleagues or non-church friends
2nd week: whole group meets for breakfast on a saturday & shares about contacts then prays together
3rd week: church meeting
4th week: meet in threes at time and place suitable for those in the group for discipleship and prayer (eg dad's bring kids together for joint activity whilst mums free to meet in coffee shop)