A48 Organising your small groups

Choices to be made

First published on this website in August 2020 and last updated in August 2022

Synopsis

Here is a careful study of all the organisational aspects of setting up, reviewing and running a church’s small groups. I hope it will be of value to anyone overseeing or reviewing their groups’ structure and operation, but also to leadership teams of all kinds.

There are two special features. First, the subtitle is ‘Choices to be made’ and the article lists choices on a wide range of issues. Secondly all small groups are covered including children’s groups, seniors’ activities and short-term groups, although the focus is still on what most term ‘home groups’.

The choices covered are as follows:

1. Purpose and place
   The purpose of all small groups, where they fit into the church structure, vision and values.
2. Types and names
   Eleven possible types of small group with their strengths and weaknesses, plus the names that might be used.
3. Meetings and group sizes
   Three elements of any meeting: input, response and support; plus styles, frequency, group size.
4. Oversight and autonomy
   What detailed central oversight looks like compared with minimal oversight. How to join a group and why some will not join. What you do when there is a need for change.
5. Overview and leadership
   The appointment of a Groups Co-ordinator and group leaders.

This article was updated in August 2022 with only very minor corrections.