Starting a small group is no easy task. It requires commitment, preparedness, desire and prayer. We often will talk about the “how to” part of group ministry but recently Bill Search posted some great info on What NOT to do when starting a small group and I had to share it here:
-Don’t invite them to join your multi-tiered, network-marketing, what-would-you-do-with-$5000-extra-a-month, personal business. In fact, if you are a group leader, avoid inviting anyone in your group into any of your business adventures.
-Don’t demand they open up and share their true feelings in the first several weeks. It’s great if you get there, but it’s freaky if you lead off with this. If you have any manly men in the group they will look for the closest door and run for it.
-Don’t cry. You might be the kind of person who cries at Hallmark commercials. That’s great. Nothing wrong with that. Just save that for after a few meetings. Let the group get to know you first.
-Don’t confess sins and demand others do the same. Hopefully, this will come, but you have to really know a person before you share your deepest challenges.
-Don’t talk about politics. It is not a safe assumption that everyone in your group shares your political persuasions. You can quickly alienate people who don’t agree with you. Remember, you are a group leader, not a political action committee.
