Three Things Every Group Needs
The apex of the church growth movement saw an amazing focus on leadership roles within the small group/Sunday school ministry of the church. The passing years has seen that discipleship aspect of the church morph quite a bit into a smattering bit of d-groups, life groups, home groups, and any other type of group you might think appropriate. However your church envisions its discipleship process, and if your church doesn’t have a clear, easy to understand, visually stated process then shame on you. There are three things, by whatever name you call them, that a group must have to be successful. Every other aspect of the group dynamic can fall underneath one of these three areas.
Leader
Regardless of the style and type of group, with very few exceptions, there must be a leader. Now, that leader does not have to be the primary teacher of the group. The teacher doesn’t even have to be a part of the three core positions. But there must be a leader. The leader is the primary communicator and keeper of church vision for the group. The leader would be the first point of contact for the staff member responsible for the group itself. The leader keeps the group on track and focused. The leader is the guide. The leader can be the teacher if it is a Sunday based group, or home group, or whatever group format it takes. Secondarily, the leader probably should not be someone that demonstrates spiritual maturity, and has been invested in by the staff to some degree. If you are a staff member, you should truly know your leaders. The leader is the hinge pin of your groups.
Organizer
The organizer is the admin of the group. That seems like it should be obvious. The organizer is the one that makes sure the routine duties each meeting are taken care of, not necessarily by themselves, but by the group itself. The organizer makes sure that plans, fellowships, outreaches, needs, prayer, etc… are all taken care of by the group. The organizer keeps things on track and moving forward. Communication is a big part of the organizer’s role. Visitors are followed up on through the work of the organizer. The organizer can be the teacher as well, but doesn’t have to be. The organizer is often an antithesis of the leader. Their personalities are often converse to each other and both are needed to see a group be healthy. They should all work together well to understand each other’s roles and be supportive.
Care
The first two positions are extremely important to the group, and actually, the group can survive and continue on with only those two in place. However, the group will not be healthy and functional without someone in the Care spot. This person loves the people. They notice when a regular of the group has missed a couple weeks AND checks in on them. It isn’t enough to just notice someone is missing. Action must be taken. If there are meals needed for someone who has been injured, or is sick, the care person leads the charge. Helping visitors feel welcomed and a part of the group. Their’s is the prayer and support aspect of the group. This position forms the basis”heart” of the group. Without it, the group will shrivel and die eventually. A group can have wonderful leaders but without the care portion the group will not be successful in the long-term.
Again, you can use whatever term you want to describe these positions. But lay aside the 50 page leadership manual for your groups, and don’t dare play the “do whatever” game with them either. Guide the groups with a simple, but poignant, direction on how they fulfill the vision of the church. Groups, however you do them, are the path to mission success in the church. You can’t ignore them. You can help give the simple keys to success with these three areas.