26 Apr Small Group Leader Meeting Re-cap April 24, 2018

Small Group Leader Meeting

April 24, 2018

Here is a re-cap of the meeting.  The audio is only Pastor Tim’s portion of the meeting.  Please read the notes as the rest of the meeting was not recorded.  There is some important information that is useful and necessary for you as a Small Group Leader and Coach.  Enjoy!

Pastor Tim welcomed the leaders and did a Devotional/Leadership thoughts with the group.  He said the best days are ahead for Waters Church.  He read John 21 and encouraged us by reminding us that we are healing lives.  He referenced a 75 year sociological study on 760 men; half were affluent, graduating Harvard Business School and the other half were from the poorer suburbs of Boston.  They looked at their end of life results and noted that those that were still healthy, strong and vital were those with healthy, close-knit relationships regardless of their socio-economic standing.  Pastor Tim went on to talk about the increase in mass murders (Toronto, Parkland) and the findings that the anger of many of these people came from broken relationships (Divorce, family breakdowns, etc.).

The Church of Jesus is the hope of the world.  We are part of the hope; reminded us that Jesus is the Great Shepherd and He is for us and Satan would like nothing better than seeing a former servant of Jesus become a trophy on his wall.  We as Small Group Leaders are in effect the “sheep dogs” helping to herd His sheep.  It takes, time and effort but we have been called to this purpose.  Be reminded that Jesus chose you and He will use you effectively. 

Pastor Tim had three points:

• Jesus did not let Peter define his ministry by his mistakes: nor should we! Peter made mistakes – we all make mistakes in ministry; we fail in key moments but in the fullness of His grace failure is redefined.  Do not wallow in your mistakes; use them as part of the education process from your Master Teacher.  Be reminded that our best days are ahead of us and sin cannot take down grace.  Our past failures do not define us. 
• Jesus gave Peter 3 Instructions: Feed my Sheep; Tend my Lambs; Feed my Lambs.  Sheep are a lot of work; they are helpless, limited intelligence, listless wanderers, timid, easily panicked – a rabbit crossing their path could cause a stampede.  They are cruel and competitive animals.  The shepherd moves the sheep.  We are dealing with His sheep; we are shepherds in His pasture.  Sometimes, it can be frustrating when you do not get much response from your group/sheep.  You need to love them when they are not moving in the direction you want.  Be reminded that the number one source you have is Jesus love for you.  Pastor Tim also talked about Jesus having three good, close friends:  Peter, James & John and the importance and blessing of having a small circle of close friends.  Do not be discouraged by a lack of response from those you lead.  Book recommendation:  “A Shepherd looks at Psalm 23”
• Jesus does not want us defining our ministry by the ministry of others: Do not measure the success of your group by other groups and do not measure yourself and your gifts with someone else’s’ gifts.  Be Faithful.  Be confident that He is doing a work in you as well as through you.  By being faithful to your assignment you will glorify God.  Do not fall into the comparison trap. 

Pastor Tim turned the meeting over to Mary Ann Parsons (MAP) commending her on the work she has done with Small Groups.  MAP welcomed the group again; saying it is a blessing to serve with all of us.  She and Pastor Tim reminded everyone that smaller groups are better than larger groups.  You can achieve a level of intimacy with a smaller group much more easily than with a large group. 

MAP introduced the new leaders who were present at the meeting:  Mike Norlund, Erin Aremu, Paul Danello, John Del Bonis, Pam Nelson, Linda Dooley, Tom and Janese Gasper, Robert Cote, Carlos & Mel Simao, Carly Smith and Lynda Rose.

Map did a teaching/reminder to all of the leaders of important information by awarding prizes for the first SGL to correctly answer the following questions:

• Who can tell me the 5 steps of the Apprentice Model? I do you watch, I do you help, You do I help, You do I watch, You do someone else watches

Map reiterated that we need to make sure that the apprentices are being properly trained.  Coaches will now take a more active role with your apprentices; they need to meet with your coach prior to attending the training.  They should also be in group for at least 6 months before they can be considered for leadership.  Occasionally some are “fast-tracked” but that is the exception rather than the rule.

• What are the 3 most important qualities that must be present in a potential apprentice; they all start with Love ____? Love God, Love People, Love Groups 

Map reminded us that you may have apprentices you may not even be aware of because you may be thinking that they are not gifted teachers, or in evangelism or outgoing enough but it is not true.  They need to (among other things; be a Christian, come to church, serve, tithe) Love God, people and groups.  They need to use the guide, provide snacks, fellowship and prayer.  Map noted that this is why she and the Coaches attend your group from time to time to help you recognize potential leaders within your group. 

• What are the 3 out of 4 avenues where you get information about events, meetings, trainings or anything pertaining to Small Groups? Face Book, Waters SGL Leader Page, Email, Coach and SGL Hub

The Hub has all the info you need:  Events page, SGL Guide page and there is a plethora of training material under Leader Training on the right side drop down menu.  Your coaches will be more involved getting information to you and Map will always post on the FB Waters page, and she will send one email on Monday or Tuesday.  Be proactive; check the Event page and regularly communicate with your Coach. 

• Small Group Leader Role, Expectations and Ethics – Can you name two items from the ethics list that you signed when you became an SGL? See Ethics List

Familiarize yourself with this sheet (it is in the HUB) or in your training materials.  Make sure you use it when apprenticing and refer to it often.  Understand that those that are serious about starting a group may need to make some changes in their personal life before becoming a leader.  Map shared some of Lynda Rose’s story; Lynda told her SGL that she was interested in starting a group but had to work on a few things in her life before being able to do it.  She resolved her issues and is now a SGL.

• Which of the following is not true? In group I can take my members out for some fun, I can have communion, I can have snacks, I can play my guitar and sing worship songs, I can do my own study, I can share the guide with my group.

Map asked us to stick to the guide – do not edit it.  She reminded us that it is just a guide and sometimes a question may not fit our group.  Try to stick to it as best as you can.  We never want to debate scripture.  You can, of course, go out and have fun once in awhile; invite unsaved friends to join you or do an outreach.  We can have communion; she is going to put a training in HUB on how to do communion in your group

• What are 3 out of four ways we get people to join our groups? Prayer up front, shoulder tap (ask your friends), Next Steps kiosk or they can email the church and Map will send the link to them.

Map reminded us that if we do not have members; pray about it.  Karla Caballeros had 2 women and thought about closing her group; she prayed about it and God sent her 3 more!  Be faithful, committed and pray about it.

Bonus Question:  What are the 3 prayer times that I should attend if possible?  Saturday at 3:30 pm, Sunday after last service and First Wednesday between 6:00 pm and 7:00 pm.

Testimony:

Can I kick someone out of my group?   Map talked about an issue that came up in Jenn Mckenna’s group.  Jenn is a fairly new leader and a woman joined her group who brought a lot of very heavy baggage with her and it was causing a disruption in the group.  This woman had previously been in Thad & Rondi Butler’s group who are more seasoned leaders and they were willing to welcome her back in their group if she was willing.  Map spoke to her about returning to their group and thought that she would be going back but she came back to Jenn’s group the next week instead.  Jenn did a wonderful job welcoming her back and she is now a valued member of the group even going out socially with them; a true success story. 

Jessica Smutek shared a testimony about her father who was not interested in church at all.  He had several health issues and his family and Small-group continued to pray for him.  He drew near to Jesus and joined a church and a week or so ago Jessica got a message from her dad inviting her to his Baptism last weekend!

David Smutek talked about us being a blessing to the Community in the North Attleboro clean up day that is part of the Great American Clean-up on Saturday, May 5^th from 9:00 – 12:00.  We will be meeting at the church at 8:45 to get our t-shirts and all the equipment we need (gloves, bags, rakes etc).  Please sign up by Wednesday, April 25^th to guarantee a t-shirt will be available for you.  If you do not sign up but decide to show up that day you can certainly help be a blessing to the community.   

Map asked David to close the meeting out in prayer.

Next Meeting:  T/B/A