3rd Gear Small Groups | Getting your group humming spiritually and relationally

My first car was actually a truck. Near my 16th birthday I purchased a 1963 Chevrolet pick up truck for $300.  I loved the look of my old truck.  The motor worked great but I cannot say the same for the the gear shifter.  It had an on the column, a.k.a. "three on the tree" gear shifter and it was hard to get in gear.  First gear was fairly easy, simply pull the lever toward you and push down.  However, 2nd and 3rd were more tricky.  Second was supposed to be push away from yourself and toward the dash and up.  Third was push away and down, but for some reason it just wasn't always that easy.  There were plenty of days I would drive all the way to school in 2nd gear trying hard the entire time to get it into 3rd.  Third gear was illusive in my old truck and I have found that third gear can be just as illusive in small groups. Read on... are you getting your small group into to 3rd gear or are you stuck in first or second?

1st Gear:  The Gathering.
In first gear you group will decide to meet regularly with one another (weekly is best). You'll do ice breakers and experience interactive discussions based on the Bible. You'll likely pray for one another's needs and share snacks. Group members may even be willing to serve the group by bringing snacks, taking attendance, or helping set up / tear down tables and chairs.  

2nd Gear: Commitment and Connection.
In second gear you'll find that a "shift" has taken place.  Group members are committed to being present.  In this gear, group members are now more comfortable sharing their personal stories.  In second gear, people come not only because they are learning good content, but they come for the relational connection they feel with the other group members.  A second gear group is an environment where people willingly contribute to the discussions.  Also, in second gear you will find that certain group members will begin to relate beyond the gathering.  They may talk by phone or internet, share lunches or dinners, or engage in recreational activities and other outings together.

3rd Gear: Belonging to One Another.
In this third gear, group members move to a level of fellowship, friendship and connection where they are comfortable sharing struggles and even sins.  In this gear you'll find that group members are willing to serve one another.  They share and respond to one another in times of sickness or need.  In third gear your group members feel responsibility to care for one another physically, emotionally, and spiritually.  They celebrate one another's accomplishments and sacrifice to alleviate each others sufferings.

How about you?  Are you getting your small group into to 3rd gear or are you stuck in first or second?

Measuring Success: 4 Key factors to consider when gauging the success of your group

How do you measure success as a small group leader?  Most small group leaders have neither defined, nor determined how success should be gauged and measured.  Many are satisfied if someone shows up! While people showing up can certainly be viewed as a level of success, there are a number of other gauge worthy goals a small group leader should work toward. Here are four measurable factors for leaders to consider when gauging small group success.

1) Names and numbers:
The truth is, poor attendance to your small group should be an indication that something's not right.  You will need to take an honest look at your way of inviting and marketing your group.  If you started with a good number of group attenders but have dwindled down to only a few, then you may need to re-think your approach to programming and facilitating your group.  Beyond that, a lack of follow-up and care for group members will also have a direct affect on group attendance.  Be aware that the number one factor related to achieving good and consistent group attendance is your personal invitation and follow up just before the group begins, but also after the group has begun meeting.  

Because our church has strategic goals related to helping people connect in small groups, we ask our life group leaders to not only report the number of people who are attending their group, but to also share the names of each individual who attends.  Having the names of each group member allows us to measure the real number of people who are connecting in small groups.  Tracking attendance by name helps us understand if one person is attending more than one group.  When we only track numbers without names, we run the risk of having several people inflate the overall number of people we believe are attending small groups.   

2) Stories of relational connection:
Numbers don't lie but they are also not the whole story when it comes to knowing if you're successful as a small group leader.  Though there may be a good number of people attending your small group, another measure of success you should consider would be, "Are there any stories of relational connection from your group?" As a life group leader you are not simply concerned with seeing people understand Biblical content, you're goal is also to help people relate, connect, and move closer to one another in Christian friendship.

3) Stories of transformation:

The third measure of success is, "Can you share any stories of transformation?"  In other words, has there been any movement in anyone's life spiritually?  Are people picking up spiritual habits?  Has anyone shared how their attitude, actions or behaviors have begun to change?  Has anyone taken new steps toward involvement in the church or serving others?  Are there new commitments being made?  Are there any stories of healing, repentance, forgiveness, and faith?

4) Growth of leadership:

The final measure of success to consider is, "How have I grown as a leader and have I been able to identify other emerging leaders within the group?"  What have you learned about leading and serving others?  What areas of leadership have you identified as your strengths that you can continue to build and become even more skilled at?   What areas of leadership are you not as strong and therefore may need to identify helpers and co-leaders who can assist you by carrying out certain tasks related to the formation and function of your group.  Who among your group members is a person you have identified as a potential leader?  What steps will you take toward involving them and inviting them to explore their opportunities to serve the church in leadership?

What other ways do you measure success as a small group leader?