Never forsake gathering together. If the disciples never gathered in the upper room or pulled away from the crowds with Christ, where would the church be? In the same way, you need to get away with your leaders and study God’s Word, because faith comes by hearing the Word of God.
Setting a time in which all leaders can meet together is often difficult, but try gathering in a home once a month. When you meet, make sure you have fun together. They’ll look forward to regular gatherings if you laugh together, pray together, and “fill their cup” so they can leave recharged and energized. They will take that energy back to their groups.
Don’t cancel a gathering if only three or five can come. Those that make it will talk about its positive effect and inspire others to join in next time. You can also send an e-mail to those who weren’t there to tell them you missed them and invite them to the next meeting.
Consider meeting around key events on the small group calendar: before new small group curriculum is launched and after a small group session has ended. At these meetings, celebrate with them, show your gratitude, and talk about the strong and weak aspects of their group. Always end the evening by praying for each other.
Tell them what you sense God wants them to hear. When you’re talking on the phone, typing a simple e-mail, or gathered in a huddle, make sure you speak the truth to them—both challenges and blessings. It’s important that you love them as you lead them.
Express your gratitude and tell them what you sense God wants them to hear-perhaps by reading or writing a passage of Scripture. You may sense a special call for their life that they haven’t sensed. Maybe they need to be reminded of their unique gifts that equip them to lead their groups. You may recognize a gift they haven’t yet recognized-pointing it out boosts their confidence and gives them vision. Help them redirect their eyes from the day-to-day tasks to what God might have planned for them.
One-on-ones are vital. Most leaders receive little affirmation, though they’re a vital part of your church’s small group ministry. You need to spend time loving, honoring, and listening to them—this gives them a sense of purpose. When they hear you believe in them, they’re reenergized to do their job well.
One-on-ones don’t have to happen weekly, or even monthly; however, you should strive to meet every four to six weeks. Don’t worry about meeting formally. There was a time in my life when I didn’t have time to play basketball, so I put a basketball hoop up and invited leaders over to play. One time I took a road trip and brought a leader along with me. Recently, I received an e-mail from him that shared how touched he was by my friendship; he similarly touched my life. Making a connection with your leaders is second to a big event.
Release them to multiply their lives. Part of coming together is also going back out. We don’t come together for the sake of coming together. We come together so that we can go back out and multiply our lives. This means that I’m not just building into the lives of these leaders and they’re not just building into the lives of their members. We are sending them out to multiply.
A woman named Mary exemplifies this. She discipled many women: both new and mature believers. Her greatest joy was sending them out after years of mentoring. One evening a group of 1,500 believers gathered to honor Mary. I asked, “Who in this room has been mentored by Mary?” About 40 women stood up. Then I said, “Now look around the room. How many of you have been impacted by the spiritual lives of the women who are standing?” About another 150 people stood up. I said, “Look again. If you see a woman or man who has radically changed your life, I’d like you to stand.” About another 200 people stood up.
Don’t you want to have that kind of impact?
Mentoring is essential to multiplication. It’s not just about studying the Bible and spiritual formation-it requires that you dream a future for your leaders. While releasing them is difficult, it’s important to challenge them to be courageous enough to break apart—perhaps in pairs—for six weeks. Have them invite neighbors and friends to study. Once the season is over, a new leader will have been created from this group and members can go back to their old groups.
