A spattering of leaders, both new and veteran, give us a peek into their hearts and their small group ministry. Enjoy reading about Steve/Debbie Gatherer, Gilbert/Winnie Chan (co-leading with Terry/Brenda Smith), Eric/Lisa Nilson, and Blaine/Rachal Carr.
1. How long have you been leading a small group, and what was the determining factor in taking the plunge of leadership?
S/D: Since Sept 07, because we both had gained so much help from Joseph Christopher’s “Covenant Marriage” class a couple of years ago, that we felt we might be in a position to encourage couples in their marriages.
G/W: We’ve been leading the current group officially on 2/28/08. Brenda and Winnie were talking about how a number of the parents of middle schoolers attending grow groups were not in small groups themselves, including ours. So we wanted to test the waters and see if others would like to form a group with us during the same time as the M.S. grow groups.
E/L: I have been leading a small group for 3 years. Before that I was an assistant for 3 or 4.
B/R: We have been small group leaders for the past 7 years. We were
part of a large group that needed to multiply and did not have assistant leaders in place so we saw a big need and went after it.
2. What has been one of the most rewarding things about leading thus far?
S/D: The passion that everyone has in doing their lessons each week, building on conversations, willingness to trust in us as leaders, their wanting to make their marriages better instead of just giving up.
G/W: Seeing the neat people God is drawing together for spiritual growth and friendship.
E/L: Seeing individuals and families grow in Christ. It has been so fulfilling to see people’s relationships with Christ in their infancy grow through childhood and beyond. It is just like watching your own children grow.
Blaine: One of the most rewarding things about leading is
witnessing the spiritual growth in the group members. Rachal: It is
rewarding to see all the strong relationships our family has made at
Bethel as a result of being involved in the small group ministry.
3. What has been one of the hardest challenges about leading thus far?
S/D: Spiritual attack has been a difficult thing to come up against.
Winnie - keeping in touch with group members during the week on personal level.
E/L: The realization that a critical part of demonstrating Christ’s love, is to also provide Christ like discipline and rebuke, which unfortunately may not be received well by the Believer.
Blaine: My biggest challenge definitely is managing my expectations
regarding both my leadership and capabilities of others at any given time.
A good rule of thumb that unfortunately I forget at times is you are
never as good or bad as you think you are. Rachal: My biggest
challenge is managing the group size and childcare logistics. We want
to be inviting and accomodating and yet preserve group intimacy and or course keep our sanity.
4. What’s the basic flow for how you lead a small group meeting?
S/D: We open at 6:30-6:45 with fellowship, we sometimes have a mixer (not always), we get right into the lesson of our book which takes us to 8:15ish then we pray. (every couple of weeks or so we break into men & women to have more concentrated time together) we try every 6-8 weeks to have a date night, but some homework assignments include dates as well.
G/W: Light refreshment and social time
Ice breaker
Just started sharing testimony
Kids go off for a short teaching time while
Parents have opening prayer (adoration and silent confession) and Discuss sermon questions
Closing Prayer (thanksgiving and supllication)
E/L: Creating and maintaining an environment of openness and acceptance, all the while staying focused on Christ’s teachings through prayer, study, sharing of testimonies and fellowship. We look for opportunities to reach out and help each other and those around our groups by way of extended family and friends, as well as other outreach opportunities.
B/R: An average evening consists of an icebreaker, worship,
announcements, study, prayer/sharing, followed by fellowship
5. What’s working as to connecting with your members?
S/D: Finding out what their needs are and meeting with some one-on-one. Being interested in their lives outside of group.
G/W: Working together on ShareFest. Discussions have been good.
E/L: My group desires fellowship for connection (one on one, group and other outreach activities where we can connect with each other and others simultaneously.)
B/R: We have found informal social events to be the best time to connect
with group members. There has also been deeper connections made when
we split into men and women groups for our study or prayer time.
6. Just for fun, if you were a vehicle, which one would you be and why?
S/D: No idea.
Gilbert would be his Acura Integra hatchback, versatile and faithful. Winnie would be a Toyota sedan-small, family-sized, reliable and hardworking but not high-powered (though quite a bit of enthusiasm and commitment). If pets take on the looks of their owners after a long period, maybe people take on the characteristics of their vehicles (or only keep ones like themselves for long periods).
E: SUV, can be used for anything; may not be the best choice for some things, but will get the job done regardless of the terrain.
Blaine: I would have to choose a pickup because I like to carry
heavy loads and blaze my own trails and of course I have a big appetite for fuel.
Rachal: Definitely a mini-van because I’m practical, versatile, and
kid-friendly. Coincidently, these are the two vehicles we own.
