“We have a great idea.  Let’s encourage ALL of our classes/small group Bible studies to birth a new group with their group.”  I shared that idea with one class one day and I was told immediately that I could leave room.  They wanted no part of this plan.

New groups do not just happen because we think they should happen.  This must be built into the DNA of each new group from the beginning.  They must know that the optimum maximum size for a small group is not more than twenty five.  When a class or group gets larger, it loses the small group dynamic.

So just how is this done.  We must develop disciples within the group to make this happen.   We have found a structure of five leaders can best begin a new group: Teacher, Evangelism Leader, Administrative Leader, Ministry Leader, and Service Leader.  These leaders seek out those individuals within their group who can best fit their same position as their group grows.  They will be seeking to reach their friends and those who are attracted to this group.  As the group begins to reach the optimum size of twenty to twenty five, they need to intensify their work of discipling and equipping prospective leaders for the new group.  The whole class must be in prayer about this opportunity.  This does not “divide” or “split” the class.  Rather, you have the joy of birthing a new class with whom you will continue to have fellowship, ministry, and sharing together.  You may or not meet at the same time or even the same location.  But, you will share mutual vision, purpose, and passion for reaching and nurturing believers in Christ. You may even work together to start more new classes from within both groups.

All new leaders must be prayerfully and carefully enlisted, equipped and encouraged in their new responsibilities.  They must never be left alone to fend for themselves.  That could result in failure in their minds.  Rather, we must continue to encourage them and work with them to see them reach their friends as they were reached by their class.  This really can be contagious!.
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Kiely Young
Mississippi Baptist Convention Board

This week I sat in a meeting talking to a Pastor and Minister of Education whose church has regularly started new groups over the past several years.  They have done so in an environment of declining population in the heart of the Mississippi Delta region.  Their church has experienced steady growth.   I asked them to explain how they have done this and how they have help keep these groups growing.

They quickly responded. “We have not seen success with ALL the groups.  It depends on the leadership team we have enlisted and their passion for the group we are trying to reach.  Those with passion to reach those in need grow spiritually and numerically.  Those who are just enlisted and equipped to teach a class do not always put their hearts into the work of the class.”

Those statements say a lot.  When we begin new groups we must ask some key questions if we want success in meeting the needs of the group we are trying to reach.

1. Who are we trying to reach?
2. Why are we trying to reach that group?
3. When are we trying to reach them?
4. Where are we trying to reach them?
5. What do we plan to do for them when we reach them?
6. How will we measure success in reaching and ministering to them?
7. Do we have a plan for nurturing them to multiply and reach others through another new group?

Far too often, we just enlist a teacher, give them a list of “suspects” and expect that person to do all the work.  That class will often be doomed to fail because of lack of purpose and organization.

But, if those enlisted, understand their roles, the purpose of the class, and they have a passion to reach the people they are trying to reach, they are far more likely to succeed.  They must add prayer, hard work, determination, patience, and persistence to their efforts.  As my friend Daniel Edmonds, from Alabama states, “Start small, do it right, build it strong”.  Another pastor friend was asked by a dear senior adult lady how long they were going to continue to use this strategy of starting new groups to reach more people.  He quickly responded, “Until Jesus comes, that was His Commission to us.” Let’s keep up the strong work of growing new classes and small groups.
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Kiely Young
Mississippi Baptist Convention Board