Co-leaders and Core Teams | the small team behind your small group

Leading a small group alone is never a good idea.  A naive person believes they can effectively cover everything associated with hosting and leading a small group.  It is foolish for a solo leader to believe they will make it to every group meeting, always be on time, come fully prepared, and care for every group member effectively.  Every leader needs a co-leader but there are also times when it is right for a leader to go beyond just having a co-leader and build a core team.

What a Core-Team does:
A core-team is a small group of people who share in planning, praying, facilitating, communicating and shepherding a small group.  This small core team members serve the small group based on their "shape" for service.  SHAPE is an acronym for (Spiritual Gifts, Heart, Abilities, Personality, Experiences).  The core team meets a few times prior to the group launch to make key decisions concerning the group. Team members serve the group in areas such as marketing and inviting,  ordering and preparing materials, managing communications, hospitality, recording and reporting attendance, deciding who will teach, and determining who will facilitate and lead discussions. The core team is lead by one clear leader who upholds the vision for the group and  relates to the church staff as the "point person" for the team and group. 

Reasons to build a core-team:

When the purpose of the group is recovery:
Recovery group ministry can be spiritually and emotionally draining at times.  It is unwise for one person to attempt ministry to multiple people who are hurting and in need of loving emotional support as they take steps toward healing and wholeness.

 
When there are multiple small groups within the group:
At times it is beneficial for multiple groups to meet in one setting.  On occasion multiple groups are studying the same curriculum or are learning from the same teacher.  The energy of cenergy is good in these settings which helps to overcome the problem groups face when they are too small.  Multiple small groups in one setting will require a team of people who will (among other things) host table discussion groups.

When the group is on-going:
There are some groups that are offered each season as a part of the church's discipleship process. A solo approach to an on-going small group will lead to burn out, while a team approach will lead to consistent, repeatable, and effective small group ministry many times over and for new groups of people.

When multiple groups are doing the same study:
It is good to build a core team any time the same study is being offered in more than one group.  People who sign on to be a part of these groups are likely looking to have a similar experience as others in the church who are going through the same material.  One of the main goals of the group would be consistency of experience.


Which type of small team is needed for your next small group idea?
Would your group benefit most from a simple leader - coleader team or would your group thrive best through the effort of a core-team?

What other scenarios are right for core-team effort?

It Takes Two: why every leader needs a co-leader

One of the biggest challenges life group leaders face is the task of finding a co-leader or helper who will join them as they form, fill, and facilitate their small group. Some leaders fail to recruit a co-leader or helper because they do not want to inconvenience anyone.  Others go-it-alone because they simply do not feel there there is much that a co-leader or helper can do for them.

Whatever the case, here are a few reasons why it takes two to make a thing go right in the world of small groups.

Power Planning: Two heads are better than one when it comes to thinking through and planning out your group sessions.  A co-leader can help you with things like; mapping out your group sessions according to your book or curriculum.  Together, you can innovate icebreakers and quality questions for group conversation.

Two to Teach: A co leader may also be someone you can share the teaching or facilitation load with.  Only the naive small group leader believes he will make it to every single one of the group sessions.  Life happens! Sickness, unexpected tragedy, and opportunities come our way that may knock us off course and out of leadership.  A co-leader can be there to cover you when you are unable to lead or facilitate your group.  Leaders who fail to have a co-leader often find themselves having to cancel their group.  This is disappointing to group members and there is always a loss of momentum for the group in terms of the study and among group members relationally.

Double-Talk Marketing and Inviting: One of the greatest benefits in having a co-leader is that there will be at least two people excitedly talking with others about your new group.  Personal invitation is such an important key toward filling your group.  Having two excited people working in their circles of influence means you will more quickly find group members.

Co-mmunication:  A co-leader or helper can also help you with tasks like taking reporting attendance, and communicating with the group via email, phone calls, and social media communication.

Dual traction prayer & pastoral care:  Because small groups are the way many churches accomplish basic pastoral care for their members, it is important to have more than one person serving the members of your group in the way of personal care, prayer and encouragement.

Choosing a co-leader:
Life Group leaders often ask if their spouse can serve as their co-leader.  Most of the time they are simply looking for an easy way to fill the co-leader / helper slot.  Your spouse can certainly be a part of your planning and facilitating but they should not be your co-leader due to the fact that what affects you will directly affect your spouse as well.  Difficulties like sickness, being snowed in, and family matters all have the same affect on your spouse as they have on you.  It is wise to choose a co-leader / helper who is not a family member.  A second value in choosing someone other than your spouse is the value of including and building other leaders.  Life Group leaders should always be looking to build others up in leadership so that new groups can launch with well trained / field tested leadership.  Be sure to choose someone who is willing to serve in all the ways described above.  Work hard at communication with your co-leader / helper.  They will serve you and the group best when they have been included in all the phases of group development, planning, filling and facilitating.

Choose a person who fits The Three C's of leadership:

Character:  They are a person who reflects a love for God and a love for others.  They are helpful, positive and encouraging.  They are faithful and loyal toward you as leader.

Competency:  They have some skill in the area of leadership you are needing them to serve.  They understand the purpose of your group and they have the ability to serve the group functionally and relationally

Chemistry:  Choose a co-leader / helper that you enjoy working with!  Working with others in ministry can and should be fun.  Invite people you like to to be on your team.

Be sure to choose people who have ALL THREE C's.  Compromise on even one of them and you'll have less than satisfactory results.  Find a person with all three and you'll have great success.