Many churches have attempted to start small groups, only to abort shortly after takeoff. I’ll share why small group ministries fail: the top 10 ways to ensure the failure of your group.
Why Small Group Ministries Fail – 10 Ways
- Make sure the senior pastor isn’t in a group. If small groups aren’t modeled by the pastor, they won’t have much of a chance for success. (Amy and I host two small groups in our home.)
- Make sure the senior pastor doesn’t talk about small groups. If small groups don’t ever find their way into a sermon, it will help reduce the likelihood of success.
- Make sure small groups are not staffed or resourced properly. To guarantee your groups fail, don’t staff them, buy them curriculum, announce them or get your best volunteers involved.
- Make sure small group leaders aren’t trained. When you do get some small group leaders, don’t train them. Let them figure it out on their own.
- Make sure the church doesn’t address childcare needs. Pretend all small groups don’t have any childcare needs. Don’t open the church one or two nights a week to provide childcare. Don’t pay for childcare like I’ve heard North Point does. Ignore childcare needs completely.
RELATED: 35 Small Group Evaluation Questions
