There are far more mistakes that pastors make in small group ministry, but here are my top five in order of urgency…
5. Choosing an oversight model in advance of a launch, based on wishful thinking, not actual needs.
This mistake seems to afflict pastors in the cell church world, more than the small group world who have yet to wake up and see the need for coaches over groups and leaders (that’s another blog post altogether!). You’ve no idea how many times I’ve been called by a lead pastor for consulting, and he begins the conversation with, “I’ve just finished reading about the Groups of 12 model; and we’re going that direction, and I need some advice about your resources for training leaders…”
Wow. So much was stated and not stated in that statement! This guy has latched onto the most difficult oversight structure to pull off in the history of the cell movement, requiring every single person involved to be a soul-winning disciple maker from day one. Plus, he should be asking about member discipleship processes, not leadership materials, but that’s covered below.
Pastors, don’t choose an oversight model until you have three groups under you, and you can see what they need as far as support goes. This will keep your mind in the ministry, and not prematurely in structural thinking that’s usually lofty and theoretical in the first months or year of small group ministry, if you are growing it organically and not launching dozens of groups initially.
4. Thinking that holistic small groups or cell groups will magically transform consumers into producers.
It’s absurd to think that parking your Toyota Corolla at the Ferrari dealer’s lot will transform it, right? Same thing goes for small groups. Herd a bunch of self and child-focused pew warmers in groups, and they’ll do absolutely nothing for God or one another, just like they are doing without groups. Some will rise to the occasion for sure, but don’t expect most of them to turn over a new leaf just because you gave them a new environment in which to live like a selfless Christian.
People need experiences to bring them out of consumerism. Meet them where they are, not where you think they should be or you want them to be.
