19 Mar SGL Meeting | March 19, 2019

Small Group Leader Meeting

March 19, 2019

Mary Ann welcomed all the Leaders; after a delicious dinner introduced Felix Shyllon who delivered a message on Leadership.  He contrasted the leaders Saul and David.   Who we follow is key; the rise and fall of a church is based on leadership.  The church needs smart and strong leaders and this starts with the leadership in the church; how strong, how efficient and how effective.  He talked about the contrast between Saul and David.  Saul was anointed by the people through human efforts and their desire.  David was appointed by God.  Saul served the will of the people and David served God.

Felix said that who we follow after is who we will replicate; who’s next starts with us.  Felix went on to talk about the first time these leaders were mentioned in the bible.  Saul was chasing donkeys and David was keeping his father’s sheep.  We, as leaders need to assess how we view our group – are they our Father’s sheep?  When we come together as a group, part of it is fellowship and social but we must remember it is more importantly a place of worship.  Where two or three are gathered in His name He is with them.  Felix continued contrasting Saul and David.  Saul was a Horizontal of the flesh leader and David was a Vertical God based leader.  Saul’s heart centered on the kingdom and David centered on the King.  We must be King based leaders.  The church focus should be on faithful men, not talented, good or connected. Saul selected only men who looked like him, strong physically.  David went out and took the discontented, distressed and those in debt for his army.  God transformed those men into Mighty Men of God.

Mary Ann announced there were 111 Leaders and Apprentices in the room this evening.  She introduced newly trained, new groups that have recently started:  Lora & Vince Galloway; Nick Pettiche & Brittany Reidel, Joe & Melanie Hoffman, Eric & Tracy Laberge.  Currently there are 21 active apprentices.

Mary Ann referenced the book “A Shepherd looks at Psalm 23”; excellent book on how we lead people.  If anyone needs a copy let your coach know and they will get them for you.   The next topic was “Finding the Next Leader”

Nine traits were discussed with corresponding scripture:

Character:  Small Group members want to follow leaders with certain qualities; not sinless but look for certain traits.   They want leaders who are:  Patient, Kind, Compassionate, encourage participation and can relate to others.

Discipline:  Groups that lack discipline can be hindered.  A leader cannot be short-tempered; they may not necessarily be able to correct a member but guide them. Leaders must pray and not gossip.

Temperament:  Leaders must be able to communicate effectively; avoid quarrels and gently guide discussions; sensitive to the needs of the entire group and not letting one person dominate discussion or travel down the “bunny trail”.  Suggestions were offered on getting back on track:  Use language – That was great – BUT,….; Encourage the speaker but ask them to perhaps continue the discussion after the meeting.  We can’t let the group get disengaged in the conversation and we have to be able to point people to the Word of God.  Mary Ann spoke about a former member of her group who prayed to Raffaela an angel because Jesus was too busy to listen to her prayers.  Instead of correcting her outright because she was a new believer Shane told her to go to her bible before their next meeting and find this in the bible and bring it back to the group next week.  She went home, read her bible and learned that it was not in there anywhere.

Sincerity:  Leaders must have a heart for God, people and small groups.  They do not have to be biblical scholars.  Apprentice’s traits include the need to grow, they pray, they read the bible, growing in faith, they meet the needs of their groups.  We are reminded these are not “friend” groups these are times of worship – Vertical.   They need to help people get closer to God and create a family within the church.  Leading a group is not to make you look good or gain some kind of status in the church it is about serving our Lord and people.

People Centered:  You need to be a “people person” so you can relate to members and leaders.  You need to anticipate and meet the needs of your members.  A few of the leaders shared some of the ways they met the needs by going above and beyond.

• John – Opened home to members who were struggling with illness; had a memorial service/funeral in his home. He feels that God put them in their lives for a reason
• Colin– Member had to have back surgery and had no income coming in; the group members gathered together $400 in gift certificates to get through it. He had no heat and Waters Church responded immediately and he got a tank of propane to see him through.
• Tamara – Member needed someone to watch her child; they took her in and became a great friend of her child.
• Nelson – He said we all need to get of our comfort zone and help others
• Cleber – Member lost electricity and they did not know them well but invited them to stay with them.

Mary Ann said that it is all about being available to them; putting your own needs aside and being there.  Carly shared someone in her E-group calling her late in the evening; she took the call, prayed with her and member calmed down.  Still another leader talked about help with an apartment and John spoke about actually doing a financial spreadsheet to help with budgeting and a member who is currently in China who facetimes into their meetings.

Faithful to the Word:  Leader must committed to the faith; sound and growing in the Word of God.  You must be able to refute false teachings.   You will have people in group from different theological backgrounds.  You don’t have to have all the answers but there are resources in place; reach out to your Coach if they cannot help reach out to one of the Elders.

Experience:  A new believer cannot be a leader right away for a number of reasons.  They could become discouraged and walk away; they can be overwhelmed because they are not able to refute false teaching.  The apprentice must be tested first in group.  It is very rare for a leader to be fast tracked in less than one year as a believer.  The leader must be able to exhort, equip, encourage and pray for their members.

Mary Ann reiterated that more than 12 members is not good for a group.  A leader must be able to refuse to take on new members if it will bring them over that amount.  You are not the only leader that can relate to these people so help them find a new group.  Currently there are 82 groups with 580 members.   There are 1500 people who attend Waters Church which means approximately 1000 people are not connected.  We will continue to need new groups to form even though current groups are not yet full.  We have to remember that everyone comes in with their own baggage and perhaps they are not in a group yet because they have not found anyone who can relate to them.  Adding new groups who can relate to different people makes the church stronger.  If your group is not filling up please make sure you go up front to pray with people after service.  Most people who go up for prayer are not in a group.  Talk to people who are sitting alone.

Work in Progress:  Reminder that all of us are a work in progress.

Prayer:  Prayer is a priority; must be mighty in prayer.  We must pray during each meeting.    Through prayer we find “Who’s Next”.  Ana & Steve Lee’s group had 92 answered prayers last year.  Mary Ann shared some testimonies from Loretta Alamo’s group.

• A man that she knew was diagnosed with Metastatic Carcinoma and Stage 4 Liver cancer and was given 2 weeks to live by his doctor. Her group prayed fervently for him and he went in for a checkup at 2 weeks and was shown to be improving and in one month the cancer was receding from his body.  His doctor apologized to him for telling him he only had two weeks and said he had never seen anything like this.  He is now in full remission, feels good and is back to work.  Praise God!
• Another woman “Mercedes” that she knows really wanted to conceive a child but was unable to do so. She was subsequently diagnosed with Endometrial Cancer.  The group prayed for her for several months.  Mercedes dabbled with many worldly religions but finally accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior.  She is in a much better frame of mind now and ready to accept whatever comes and is doing well.

We currently have 82 groups and the goal that Mary Ann shared with the Coaches for 2019 is 100 groups.  With 21apprentices currently that goal is definitely within reach.  There is no rush for the apprentices to assume leadership, they need to take their time and start when they are ready.  In closing, Mary Ann encouraged the leaders reminding us that Healthy Leaders make Healthy Members which make Healthy New Leaders.

Next Meeting:  T/B/D