Over the years we have been asked for guidance about starting, leading, and sustaining a healthy small group ministry. Trust me when I tell you, we haven’t always done it right, nor have we figured it all out. Together our ministry team came up with these commitments to keep us on target. These aren’t just for me as the small group point person; I make sure they serve to guide all leaders throughout our ministry. Once you’ve chosen the commitments that will guide your ministry, make sure your whole small group ministry team knows and owns them.
10 Commitments for a Healthy Small Group Ministry
#1. I Will Move Slowly.
One of the worst things you can do is read a book or attend a conference and try to immediately implement all that you’ve learned. Quick action often risks triggering land mines. Don’t assume you know your ministry environment until you’ve listened carefully to its stakeholders. Change requires time, especially in a church environment. Before you take a step, pray! Then pause and listen for God’s direction for a healthy small group ministry. This direction could come from multiple sources, including your quiet time, friends, people in your ministry, church leaders, and elsewhere.
“Only simpletons believe everything they’re told! The prudent carefully consider their steps. The wise are cautious and avoid danger; fools plunge ahead with reckless confidence.” -Proverbs 14:15–16 NLT
#2. I will regularly check my motives and evaluate my heart.
Does your ministry come from a pure motive, or are you climbing the ministry ladder and merely checking things off your to-do list? Are you serving God or feeding your ego? Do you feel compassion toward those you are serving, or are they simply interruptions in your day? Your motivation must be God-centered, and you need to fully rely on him.
“I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd puts the sheep before himself, sacrifices himself if necessary. A hired man is not a real shepherd. The sheep mean nothing to him. He sees a wolf come and runs for it, leaving the sheep to be ravaged and scattered by the wolf. He’s only in it for the money. The sheep don’t matter to him.” – John 10:11–13 MSG
#3. I will steer clear of the numbers game.
It does not matter how many groups you have or the size of your church. Never evaluate based solely on numbers, but also on the health of each group and the ministry as a whole. God uses every church, regardless of size, to bring people to his Son, Jesus. Of course you must keep records to help you track progress and plan next steps, but avoid using numbers for bragging rights. Pay more attention to the measurable aspects of healthy small group ministry. Evaluate by health, not just numbers!
“If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them wanders away, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others on the hills and go out to search for the one that is lost?” -Matthew 18:12 NLT
