There is a video on youtube.com that illustrates a great point.
There are times when we are leading our group that we can become so focused on one aspect of the meeting that we miss an incredible moment. If we get too focused on getting through all the questions of a study guide, we can miss a God-moment. If we allow one person to dominant discussion we may miss the life-change that is indicated by a more quiet person’s comment or observation. If our group prayer time is more about checking that each request is prayed for… you get the point.
Part of being a great group leader is maintaining a view from 10,000 feet and remaining aware of the not-so-obvious group dynamics that are taking place.
I received an email from one of our group leaders this week about their plans for their summer series. It is one of the best ideas that I’ve heard a group doing for the summer!
Here’s what the leader wrote:
Our group will be doing some things differently for our next study. We all have very busy schedules and each family has a lot of stuff piling up that needs to get done at our homes. Some of the families recently had babies and you can only imagine how busy they are.
Last week we showed up at at our host home and Daniel was on a ladder trying to clean his gutters and squeeze in a project before small group meeting. He was there, by himself, on the ladder. We need to ask our friends for help and be willing to return the favor. For us to help others we can start by helping each other and then maybe continue to others in need.
In the CONNECT series, we had a study a few weeks back that we talked about PRIDE and how we don’t ask for help because we think we can handle it ourselves. This is a chance for us all to break our pride and let others help us out. We found that our small group gatherings have been getting smaller recently and the main reason is because we are all behind on our to do lists.
We came up with a plan! Each of us are going to make a list of projects that need to get done around our house. Sometimes this list is referred to as a “honey do list.” Each week, we are going to have a fellowship gathering at each family’s home and work on their list. We are at our best when we are helping other people, so why not help our own family’s with their projects. It is another activity that defines team building and brings us closer together.
This week in our CONNECT series we’re talking about Nobility and really focusing on what it means to Honor others. Over the last few months, there have been a handful in our church who are helping a young family get back on their feet. This family has been living in a hotel for a few months and (because of the people in our church) have been able to turn their lives around! They have each made faith decisions through their involvement in the ALPHA course that has just finished! They are about to move into an apartment! God is truly doing a miraculous work in their lives.
As you can imagine, this young family is in need of some standard household items. Some major items are bedroom items for mom and dad they really need a full or queen bed set. Dressers and night stands and sheets are also needed. There are also some smaller items that are needed like kitchen utensils, dishes, glasses and cooking utensils.
If you, or anyone in your group is willing and able to participate in this incredible story of life-change, please contact slepore@comcast.net for specifics as to how you can help. Sam is doing a great job coordinating this entire process!
Every now and then I hear of something that gets under my skin. Probably more often than not, my irritation is the result of my own selfishness. However, every now and then, I can relate to the righteous indignation that Jesus expressed in the Temple courts (Matt 21:12-17).
This Sunday, we continued our CONNECT series on Sunday morning. It was the second week of the series and our keyword was Openness. The real focus of the message was the topic of Hospitality, flowing out of the scriptural command to show hospitality to one another. At one point in his message, Pastor Del shared of an email he had received regarding a couple who had told him of their experience at CLC. I am ashamed to say, it was not a very positive report regarding our inclusiveness as a church body. As should have happened, there was a muttering of embarrassed responses.
The story that Pastor Del relayed hit me even harder. Just the night before at our Group Life Celebration, I was pulled aside by one of those who had recently attended the New Leader Orientation. She told me of a friend of hers that had called one of our leaders because she was trying to tie into a group. The leader’s response: “We are almost through our current series, it wouldn’t be fair to those in the group if we allowed a new person in at this point.”
I did my best to contain the steam in my head for the rest of the night. I was able to contain my first instinct and let it simmer for a bit.
I for one am thankful that Jesus has always remained ready and willing to include new people into his family whenever they want in. Let’s not get so tied to a curriculum or process that we end up building hurdles for those who are seeking biblical community!
I want to thank everyone who made it to the Group Life Spring Celebration on Saturday! The reports I’m hearing back are all positive and everyone had a great time.
I want to send out a special thanks to a few people:
First and foremost, Leslie, she put in more work than anyone on this endeavor and deserves a huge round of applause from everyone.
Next there is Rusty and his team who continuously have proven that meat is meant to be cooked with fire! His ribs and chicken are as amazing as any place!
I would also like to say a special thanks to Jerry, Jen and Mel who shared the amazing stories of what God is doing through their groups.
I did my best to contain the steam in my head for the rest of the night. I was able to contain my first instinct and let it simmer for a bit.