This post is part of a series of posts on leading a new community group. These learnings are a work-in-progress. Read our previous post for a great place to start.
We say it all the time from the stage. We want to move people into circles and out of rows. Meaning, we want people to connect personally with a small group of people in a smaller environment because sustained life-change happens best in the context of a smaller community. You, the small group leader, are the group’s Pastor. I’ve found it’s fairly simple. All it takes is an awareness of where people are at, making sure you communicate clearly and regularly to the group and if a need arises within the group, have the group rally around that need. My communication is bi-weekly via email.
The format for the emails are simple.
Email #1 – 1 or 2 days after the group meets
- Greeting
- Give them a win, an encouragement from the last week
- Remind them of the Prayer Requests and any updates from those requests
- Encourage them to do whatever the assignment is
- Remind them of any responsibilities for the next week, like bringing snacks or sharing their story & thank the people from the previous week
- Salutation
Email #2 – the day before your group meets
- Greeting
- Give them a win, an encouragement from the last week
- Give them any updates with prayer requests
- Remind them of the time/place your group meets
- Salutation
These 2 little emails will actually strengthen the group, believe it or not. They will come informed and it allows the relationships to grow further, faster. Try it and see.
