This is the time of year when small group leaders get into the thick of real-life and students get extra busy toward the end of the semester. Both the leadership and students face pressures this time of year and momentum starts to stumble after the holidays. Look for these indicators that it might be time to bring in some help if one of your small groups starts to hit these walls:
+ Your Group is Too Big
This is a GOOD problem — but it is a problem. When a group grows, it’ll lose some of the magic that made it so attractive to new students in the first place. More importantly you’ll also lose the intimacy and community that make a small group special. You might not need to divide up the group totally, just consider adding a co-leader to help you break up the group for times of discussion and accountability.+ You Cancel Too Often
It might be time to get a small group leader if you find yourself having to cancel more often than you would like. People travel, schedules change, duty calls. But if it is calling too often, consider bringing in the cavalry to pitch in while you’re out.+ Your Group is Getting Your Leftovers
Serving in a small group takes some serious effort — and if your plate is simply too full to handle the commitment, consider adding in a co-leader to give you the extra octane you haven’t been able to provide. Maybe ask a parent to join you and take some of the responsibility of the night. Maybe ask a college-age youth leader to jump in with that vigor and passion you’re out of at the end of the day.+ You Have Trouble Maintaining Order
You might have the right size group, but for some reason things are always out of hand. While there is always a certain amount of chaos that is normal in every group, if there isn’t some sort of step-by-step progression happening with your students, it might be time to ask for help. Now remember that everyone is a rookie before going pro, so don’t be too eager to bail leading the group alone. If you need help and it would serve your group better, then by all means lets do it.
JG
Some suggested youth ministry resources to help small group leaders:
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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.
Hey Josh.
Good stuff.
In our student small groups, we generally have 2 adult leaders for every small group. This allows each leader to play to their strengths, share the teaching/facilitating load, and double-up on follow-up. Not to mention when one gets sick or stuck at work, things carry on just fine, rather than having a “substitute” leader. Cuz you know how we all treat substitutes! Thanks for great thoughts once again, man.
Jerry
These are all great signs Josh. The “You cancel to often” is probably the biggest reason why I encourage all our small groups to have a co-leader. Having a reliable, trained co-leader helps us be consistent about regularly meeting. There have been times in which I have had to pass off to him because of this or that, so it is great knowing that the students are getting challenged and encouraged by a capable leader rather than having to cancel.
Tom
http://www.notamegachurch.com