Leadership Development - Start With the “Why”
It is not what a man does that determines whether his work is sacred or secular, it is why he does it. A. W. Tozer
I haven’t always been a small group addict! Hard to believe I know…
It took some time for me to understand why small-group ministry is the best leadership development environment in the church today. I heard all the hyperbole of the potential for small group ministry and how it worked in other countries, for discipleship, community, and experiencing God. But I had to see it for myself in ministry here in the US. I struggled with all sorts of doubts. Is this even a good idea to attempt in our individualistic, gated community culture? I heard about pastors who were fired and churches that split over small group ministry philosophy.
Making small-groups the hub of all ministry, where people are expected to be honest and accountable was a stretch to consider. People like their programs and events. Doing the work of making disciples of Jesus was not always popular in the church.
People like being an audience, where they come for the show and go home.
But as I read my Bible, I saw Jesus giving the best of his time to developing a small band of leaders in a small group that we call His Disciples.
I was convinced that we are to teach people to obey, not just sit and listen. It all starts with knowing the truth, but Jesus wants us to “be” the truth. He want to change hearts, not just heads. He wants us to do something with our faith, to serve somebody to make a difference in this lost and dying world.
So what is the uptimate goal for small groups?
Are small groups simply for community, for social connections?
For social action? Meeting the needs of the community? The homeless?
For in-depth Bible study for believers only?
For closing the back door?
For serving the community as a team?
For meeting felt needs? Cancer-care, Divorce-care, Grief-share (for Dodger fans), Celebrate Recovery?
For reaching neighborhoods?
For connecting people with common life experiences, singles, couples, family groups?
For connecting with God through prayer?
For socially connecting people through special interests/causes, bicyclists, scrap-bookers and geriatrics for Jesus?
Having a church “of” small groups seems simple enough, until we talk purpose.
One thing can be assured, Jesus promised to show up when people meet in His name…
Matthew 18:20 (ESV) For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”
Is that enough? Yes! Simple? Yes! Simplistic? No! When Jesus shows up everything changes!
In the next 10 months we saw 30 couples step up to lead groups and soon 85% of our congregation was connected in small group ministry. It was an amazing ride!
Joel Comiskey writes, “I’ve researched small groups around the world. Here’s what I’ve discovered: Small groups are not the answer. In fact, there is danger in thinking that small groups are the answer. Small groups come and go; they rise and fall over time. Unless small group members are converted into small group leaders, little long-term fruit remains. Churches do not reap the harvest because they have small groups.
They reap the harvest because they have harvest workers. Churches that have no plan to develop leaders have, by default, planned to lose the harvest.” (Leadership Explosion, Page 16)
Matthew 9:37–38 (ESV) Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”
Why do I love Life Group Ministry? Because I believe it is at the heart of what Jesus said to Peter…
John 21:17 (ESV) He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.
Most importantly, I never get tired of hearing about those who defined themselves as “NOT” leaders, begin to step forward and see that God wants to something great to make a difference in other’s lives. I cannot get enough of hearing these people say, “God used me to make a difference in someone’s life.”
That is what keeps me motivated to train and equip every person who expresses an interest in serving on God’s ministry team.
I’ve had to learn that much more gets accomplished when I equip others to do the work of ministry. Moses learned that three thousand years ago, but we still are slow learners.
Remember: Success without a successor is failure!
