Success depends on the District Pastor. HOW DO PASTORS ORGANIZE A SMALL GROUP

1. The pastor must be convinced that the work, through small groups, is the foundation of all missionary effort. GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS

“The formation of small companies as a basis of Christian effort has been presented to me by One who cannot err” (Christian Service, p. 72). Considerations…

2. The pastor must know and faithfully follow the steps he should take without fear of failure.. Considerations

“When we give ourselves wholly to God, and in our work follow His directions, He makes Himself responsible for its accomplishment. He would not have us conjecture as to the success of our honest endeavors. Not once should we even think of failure. We are to co- operate with One who knows no failure” (Christian Service, p. 261, 262). Considerations…

1.The pastor must take the plan of action to the church board; the leaders of the church must be aware of the effort and time required for the organization of small groups. PRELIMARY STEPS FOR THE ORGANIZATION OF SMALL GROUPS

2. The church must vote the acceptance of the plan to organize the church into SMALL GROUPS, with the understanding that time and comprehension of the process are required, regarding the objectives and goals. PRELIMINARY STEPS…

3. The Pastor and Personal Ministries director (director of missionary action) are responsible for the coordination and execution of the plan. It is recommended that this responsibility be assigned to a church elder.. PRELIMINARY STEPS…

4. When dealing with a missionary district where a pastor is in charge of several churches and companies, do not make the mistake of simultaneously organizing the entire district into SMALL GROUPS. PRELIMINARY STEPS…

1. 1.PREPARATION 2. 2.ORGANIZATION 3. 3.EXECUTION 4. 4.EVALUATION FOUR STAGES IN THE FORMATION OF SMALL GROUPS

Preparation of leaders is important The pastor chooses his own coworkers. Those will be the future leaders of the small groups. They, and the pastor will immediately organize their small group. They will meet with their group once or twice per week, with the purpose of training and forming them as leaders of the SMALL GROUPS. Will give them all the necessary orientation, teach them how to: Fellowship, witness, study the Bible and how to lead the prayer groups. Take your time for this preparation. 1 PREPARATION

 Study with the CHURCH BOARD all the details of the plan.  The pastor proposes the names of the LEADERS to be approved by the Church Board.  The pastor instructs the church about the general plan, inviting the members to participate, and they join one of the SGs.  This can be done through a week of prayer or revival. Preparation of the Church

  There should be sufficient material so that each church member can be informed of the plan.   It is very important to listen to the testimony of members who have already experienced the joy of being part of a small group. They can be from another church of the district or from another missionary district. Preparation of the Church

  If possible, SGs must be comprised of complete families, unless the children are youth who want to be part of a SMALL GROUP comprised of young people.   SGs may be organized in various ways: By geographic zones By profession or activity But what have been given best results, are the groups organized according to affinity. 2 ORGANIZATION

  Remember the example Jesus left us. He chose His disciples; the Pastor also chooses his leaders. Now you must allow the LEADERS to do likewise, choosing those who will become part of their SG.   Do not make the mistake of transforming the SABBATH SCHOOL CLASS into a Small Group.   “Robbing” members from other groups who have already accepted the invitation from a LEADER FRIEND should be avoided.. Organization…

  Once the leaders have chosen the members of their GROUP, they will be presented to the Church Board for approval to avoid duplication. It also has the purpose of determining which members have not been invited to join a SG.   After this, the LEADR, along with the members of his GROUP, will choose the time and place of their first meeting.   During the first meeting, they will make the following decisions: The time, place and frequency of meetings. 3 IMPLEMENTATION

  For two or three months the LEADER will give all the necessary instruction to the members of his/her group, using the materials prepared for such meetings.   The SMALL GROUP, WILL CHOOSE: A name A hymn A theme A flag Their objectives and goals Implementation…

  They will sign AN AGREEMENT wherein each member of the GROUP will make a commitment to attend, participate and work to meet the proposed goals. In the commitment should be included, among other things, the following: Place and time of meetings Mutual assistance Participation in witnessing Whenever it is necessary to be absent, advise the leader or another person of the group. After two or three months of preparation, the SG is organized and prepared to witness to friends, neighbors and relatives of the members of the Small Group. Implementation…

 At the beginning of a new quarter, the SMALL GROUP is organized as a Sabbath School class. Up until that time, its members regularly attend their usual class.  The difference between a SMALL GROUP organized as a Sabbath School class and a regular class, is that the SG has a name, whereas a regular class has a number. Implementation…

 The life of a SMALL GROUP depends on the inspiration and instruction that is given to the LEADERS weekly or every two weeks.  For this reason it is of vital importance to have coordination and evaluation meetings.  In these meetings the leaders share their testimonies relative to the work accomplished. 4 EVALUATION

  The Pastor or Personal Ministries director leads these meetings. “Many would be willing to work if they were taught how to begin. They need to be instructed and encouraged. Every church should be a training school for Christian workers…” (Christian Service, p. 59).   In addition, the pastor will have a monthly meeting on his district level, with the church elders and Personal Ministries directors. Evaluation…

 Every first Sabbath, one or more small groups will present a report to include testimonies and a summary of the work done.  It is important to have a statistical chart with the summary of the work of the SMALL GROUPS.  This statistical chart must include the following goals: Instructors Interested people Baptisms. Evaluation…

 Each quarter the Church Ministries director will. Invite the members who are not participating to join a SMALL GROUP.. Evaluation…

“In laboring where there are already some in the faith, the minister should at first seek not so much to convert unbelievers, as to train the church members for acceptable co- operation. Let him labor for them individually, endeavoring to arouse them to seek for a deeper experience themselves, and to work for others. When they are prepared to sustain the minister by their prayers and labors, greater success will attend his efforts (Gospel Workers, p. 196). REFLECTION