Size does matter with small groups. This week Ryanne put together a visual representation of our individual small groups on the office wall.
The GREAT paper is all of the groups with up to 8 people in them – we love this wall because our groups have the right number of students in them to be in what we believe is ideal community. The OK paper isn’t ideal, but they have a veteran leader with maybe a few extra students. Many of these groups have been together for a while and have grown some but not too big for real care and fellowship. Then there’s the NOT SO GREAT list – the leaders are all awesome, but the group size is just too big. We’ll be updating this chart in real-time throughout the Fall as we divide up some groups, add others and continually manage the care of our students.
JG
Josh Griffin has been in youth ministry for 15+ years and serves as the High School Pastor at Saddleback Church. [
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Geoff Stewart serves the Jr / Sr High School Pastor at Peace Portal Alliance Church in Surrey B.C.
I don’t know your context exactly. Are your groups designed for growth? How do newer students plug in?
My experience has been that having groups designed to grow and then split is superior to having them not being allowed to grow. It is harder because you have to add workers midstream and sometimes dividing them doesn’t work and you might have to recombine. Our growth comes from students bringing their friends or plugging in students that go to the same school.
Sounds like you have some good ‘problems’ to work through…
When do your small groups meet and how do you divide students into those groups. Do you still have Area Bible Studies that meet in homes?
Do you break into small groups after the talk or is this just when you meet in homes?
@Trav we do allow groups to grow, but want to keep them at/near the 8 person range.
@bevans We meet on Tuesday or Wednesday nights, for a few weeks in our student building then in homes after Christmas. Some groups want to be separate, some groups wanted to be in ABS format, so we have both!
@Ben we do a 10-minute large group time, then break into small groups all over in The Refinery. After Christmas, we’ll be in homes and the groups can be separate with individual group teachers.
JG
What’s the reasoning behind the change in before and after Christmas?
http://www.morethandodgeball.com/?p=4045
http://www.morethandodgeball.com/?p=3699
http://www.morethandodgeball.com/?p=3693
Here’s a few ideas …
JG
That was very helpful! Thank you very much!
Thanks Josh. Good luck with your small groups!