1. 1 Small Group Leaders’ Training To envision and equip you to lead a Small Group

2. 2 Expectation Doing the course does not entail a firm commitment on your part to lead a Home Group Doing the course does not entail a firm commitment on our part to ask you to lead a Home Group

3. 3 The Vision Glory to God Growing in our knowledge and worship of our God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit Growth Growing in size and going in service Community Growing in our commitment to one another and to the world Transformation Growing Christlikeness in us and others

4. 4 Values for the small group Intimacy Accountability Simplicity Honesty Generosity Community Unity Inclusivity Boldly!!

5. 5 Pastoral Structures Small Groups Together Meet periodically Allow development and exercise of a broad range of gifts – prophecy, music, teaching… Give people a sense that this is where they might meet and make new friends Good size for socials

6. 6 Pastoral Structures Confirmation of Small Groups –All welcome –Meet Weekly Led by a Small Group Leader(s) Up to 10 members (around 8 ideal) C.I.A. – Confidentiality, Intimacy, Accountability Good size for deeper prayer with one another, for discipleship and mutual support, for Bible Study and for special interests

7. 7 Goals To encourage each Church member to be in a Small Group To encourage ministry and Bible study within Small Groups To foster the C.I.A. aspects of Small Groups

8. 8 Christian Leadership Key Texts: Php 2:5-11; Mk 10:35-45 What is Leadership? Write down in no more than two lines a definition of leadership.

9. 9 Christian Leadership Small Group Leader: Prayer Commitment to group Be well prepared Pastoral oversight Equality Communication

10. 10 Christian Leadership Character of Christian Leadership –Put others first –Self-giving love –Serve others –Change in values –Christian leadership is cross-shaped

11. 11 Christian Leadership –Power with –Support –Co-operation –Realistic –Enabling –Equality –Change –Flexibility –Give

12. 12 Groups 1 PURPOSE Dynamics: Pastoral Epistles 1&2 Tim; Tit. PROCESSPEOPLE

13. 13 Groups 2 Purpose –A gospel-shaped church Process –Kind to everyone; keep instructions without partiality; in your teaching show integrity People –Recognise your group membership eg. Older people; younger people; preaching; teaching; leading

14. 14 Groups 3 Purpose –To do the job Process –To keep the group together People –Recognise individual contributions Initiating, informing, clarifying, summarising, testing, expediting Harmonising, encouraging, observing, evaluating, compromising Teaching, encouraging, exploring, releasing

15. 15 Groups 4 Life-cycle –Settling-in –First Growth –Developing Growth –Reaching Maturity – preparing for harvest Good beginnings –Leaders Agreement –Group Agreement Sticky endings –“Natural” causes –Leadership failure

16. 16 Leaders Agreement Consistent, fair, honest Recognition of worth, respect Structure, direction, boundaries Standards, norms, values Feedback, advice, suggestion Loving and compassionate authority

17. 17 Group Agreement Attendance Ownership Accountability Accessibility Affirmation Acceptance Availability Prayer Honesty Sensitivity Confidentiality

18. 18 Further Thought, Study and Reference

19. 19 Christian Leadership The Shepherd Jn 10:1-18 Active, not passive – Jesus was never passive Jn 10:17ff Good leaders are good followers –Jesus gives very little instruction on how to lead, but a lot on how to follow! Leaders relate intimately to their group –The leader is part of the group, fulfils one function enabling the group to be the group. 1 Co 12:12-26

20. 20 Christian Leadership Character Lk 4:1-4 –Essence of Christian leadership is its practice of power: serving, not lording over –SG Leadership is a spiritual matter Integrity: discuss in pairs a recent challenge Consider in light of Lk 4:1-4 –Jesus’ testing was a challenge to his self- understanding… “If you are the Son of God” –Doing it in God’s way, his time, his power –Prayer: declares our dependence –Leadership: is not to meet our needs –Worship: leads to humility –Confession: counters the pressure to conform to the world; fosters accountability.

21. 21 Ministry Jesus the Model He appointed 12 that they might be with him and that he might send them out… Mk 3:13-14 »I do, you watch »You do, I watch and feed back »You go to do and report back; I comment »You do, she/he watches The Role of the Holy Spirit Another Counsellor Jn 14:16, 26; 15:26; 16:7 A role parallel to Christ: “…it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counsellor will not come to you.” Jn 16:7 Surely I am with you always Mt 28:20 Now to each the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good 1 Co 12:7

22. 22 Church’s Distinctive Activity Acts 2:42-47 –Moving Up »Apostles’ Teaching »Breaking Bread »Prayer »Praising God –Moving In »Fellowship »Together »Everything in common »Ate together –Moving Out »Enjoyed… favour »…added to their number

23. 23 Christian Community –Created in the image of God: Ge 1:26 –Look to God to understand humanity. God is Trinity – three persons in communion: Father Son and Spirit totally given to each other in love and unity of purpose. I am truly a person when I relate. If God has made me so that I can only flourish with you, I will not manipulate, dominate, ignore or abuse you. –The image marred: Ge 3 –Alienation from God and one another –Culture of blame, rebellion, sullenness – Adam; Cain –Christ breaks down wall of hostility: Eph 2:11-22 –God’s redemption plan was to form a people: Ge 12:1-3 »To help fulfil God’s purposes as a group and as persons –Hebrews 10:25 – Let us not give up meeting together….

24. 24 Christian Community Imperatives of the New Testament –Be devoted…[give] preference to one another Ro 12:10 –Accept one another Ro 15:7 –Care for one another 1 Co 12:25 –Bear one another’s burdens Ga 6:2 –Forgiving each other Eph 4:32 –Encourage…and build up one another 1 Th 5:11 –Stimulate one another to love and good deeds Heb 10:24 –Confess your sins to… and pray for one another Ja 5:16 –Serving one another 1 Pe 4:10 –Love one another 1 Jn 4:11 The Goal of Christ’s redeeming work –May the God who gives you endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ro 15:5-6

25. 25 Ministry Description Small Group Leader Task:To lead a holistic small group in the Mease Valley Group Goals:To enable group members to worship together, nurture faith, provide pastoral care and encourage new membership. Sub-tasks: Attend Group Leader’s Meetings Develop pastoral care for group members. Provide discussion material for group sessions from time to time Encourage group members to use their gifts Enable all group members to share their views and questions Undertake training as required Accept responsibility for growth of group, encouraging new members Pray for the group and its members Take part in ‘Groups Together’ occasions

26. 26 Contact People: Responsible to:Holistic Small Groups Co-ordinator Responsible for:Small Group Members Working with:Holistic Small Groups Co-ordinator and Leadership Team Spiritual Gifts: Shepherding, Prayer, Hospitality Time Commitment: Flexible Length of Assignment: 2 years with review after 1 year Training:Willingness to undertake Group Leaders Training Programme as and when necessary Name of Leader: Date:

27. 27 Ministry Description Holistic Small Groups Co-Ordinator (N) Goals: To enable group members to continue to grow spiritually, groups to grow numerically, and to ensure a supply of group leaders for new groups when they are needed. Sub-tasks: Ensure provision of weekly material for groups in consultation with team rector / incumbent and small group leaders. Identify and train new group leaders. To organise training for group leaders so that their groups continue to grow spiritually and numerically. To ensure that groups are mutually supportive and to address problems that may occur within groups. Organise 'groups together 1 evenings when agreed. Meet regularly with group leaders for support, prayer and feedback. Oversee division of groups when they regularly exceed 10 members.

28. 28 Contact People: Responsible to: Team Rector/Incumbent and Leadership Team Responsible for: Small Group Leaders and Members Working with: Small Group Leaders and Leadership Team Spiritual Gifts: Evangelism, Shepherding, Leadership Time Commitment: 16 hours per week approx Length of Assignment: 2 years with review after 1 year Training: Familiarity with our Group Leaders Training Programme and outside training available from NCD, District and Diocese Date: