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?