In Community vs. For Community

I read an enlightening quote the other day.  The author was proposing that small groups do not exist FOR community.  Instead, they exist IN community to accomplish the mission that God gave us.  Community is a key aspect of Journey Groups, but it is not the end goal of being in a Journey Group.  When a group exists FOR community

• Strong relationships are built over time
• People love being in the group because it is comfortable
• There is an unwillingness to include new people because that might upset the community
• There is resistance to the value of multiplication because that would sacrifice the community the group has built
• There is no need for people to be stretched and develop as leaders because the group is not going to multiply so we only need the one leader
• There is a diminishing degree of challenge and growth because comfort becomes primary

 When a group exists IN community FOR the mission

• Strong relationships are built faster because there is an urgency and a bond around a common mission
• People love being in the group because it is exciting and life-giving
• People have a sense that the group is part of something bigger than itself
• Prayers are energized by a desire to be active in God’s mission
• People will extend frequent invitations to “outsiders” to join the  group
• Multiplying the group becomes a celebration because it will connect more people in community for God’s mission
• People will be excited to step into leadership so that new groups can form
• This is an increasing degree of challenge and growth in the group because the mission stays primary

Admittedly, these two lists are slanted with a bias toward groups being IN community FOR the mission.  But I honestly don’t think we can make a case that existing FOR community brings the results of life transformation and Kingdom impact. 

As you look at these lists, which one more resembles your group?  Take the challenge to become a group IN community FOR God’s mission.  There may be some discomfort in the transition, but in the end, you won’t be sorry.

Dave Irwin

Pastor of Adult Ministries

davei@cccomaha.org

Group Multiplication Made Easy

Group multiplication (the creation of new groups from existing groups) is a key strategy in Journey Groups.  It is an essential element in our vision to connect more and more people in community for spiritual growth and Kingdom impact.  It can also be one of the more painful parts of group life.  Some resist the call to multiply because they don't want to tear apart relationships they have worked hard to develop.  What if we could have multiplication with very little collateral damage to the relationships?  That would be the best of both - relationships would be preserved AND our mission to connect more people would be achieved.  Small groups pastor, Joe Windham, wrote a great article explaining how this can happen.  Multiplying groups is never totally painless, but this may be as close as it comes...

Many people in the small-group world have searched for a way to multiply groups without causing a lot of relational trauma and fear. I don't have a universal answer, of course, but the best way I've found to do this is by training up an assistant leader and then giving away the small group to them.

The Idea

My wife and I have done this numerous times as leaders of married couples groups. From our very first meeting, we let our new small group know our belief that, over time (usually six months to a year), God is going to raise one of them up to take over the leadership of the group. We emphasize that we're not in a hurry to make this change, but we do believe it will happen over time. Because when something is healthy, it naturally grows. After planting this visional seed, we make sure to water it often with prayer, encouragement, and support.

At a recent Vision Night for our church's small-groups ministry, I shared this approach to multiplication with all of our group leaders. It was very well received, and afterward we had all the group leaders in attendance write down the names of any potential leaders from their group on a 3 x 5 card. We directed them to put these cards in their Bibles and begin praying over them. We also had each leader come forward and write the names down on large flip pads so that our coaches and staff could spend some time praying over them, as well.

Since that night, we have had numerous leaders let us know that they are already preparing to give their group away and start something new. And each of our small-group coaches are now tracking where their leaders are in the process of giving their groups away, and how they can help them do so effectively.

Another positive aspect of the "give away your group" strategy is that it teaches a group to have a missional sense of purpose. Not only do groups meet weekly to do study and fellowship, but they're to pray weekly over who God is going to raise up next. We also encourage each group to pray for their original leaders as they branch out to start a new group. In fact, many of our groups have a special "sending out" night where they pray for the leaders as they launch out to start their new group. It's an exciting time of celebration.

I believe the reason this approach is so successful is because group leaders intuitively fear the trauma that traditional multiplication causes—and are relieved to have a less stressful and damaging method of growth. Another reason this strategy works so well is because it's easy. The new group leader already has relationships with everyone in the group, which means the group can just continue on as normal. When any leader receives the simple steps I've listed below, they actually believe it to be something they can do.

The Strategy

Here are the basic steps involved in the "give away your group" method of multiplication:

1. Share the vision with your small group. Let the group know you are praying that God will raise up someone within the group to take over its leadership in the future. Let them know you're not in a hurry, but you believe God has a plan for growth.
2. Pray for and identify potential leaders. Pray regularly that God would reveal people in your group who have the potential for leadership, and try to identify at least one person or couple in your group that has what it takes to lead the small group effectively.
3. Look for the Five C's as confirmation. Those C's are: Character, Competence, Chemistry, Consistency, and Caring. You want a replacement for your group who is on time, who has great character, who you get along with, who is a great listener, and who is caring, and who demonstrates a shepherding heart.
4. Make contact. Invite the potential leader(s) to get together and talk about the idea of leading the group. Affirm the 5 C's you've observed in them, and share that you're praying they would consider taking over leadership of the group. Then listen to their response. If they respond positively, move on to the final steps.
5. Have them host in their home. Ask the potential leader(s) to lead the group and host it in their home as a trial period, then meet with them afterward.
6. Choose a date to make the give away. Find out when they would like to take over leadership, and then announce that to the rest of the group.
7. Plan a launch party. Have the small group "pray you out" as you look to start your brand new group. Celebrate the successes of your time with the group and the potential for ministry that exists going forward.
8. Start your new group.

—by Joe Windham.  Copyright 2009 by the author and Christianity Today International.

Group multiplication matters.  Will you begin praying and planning to give away your current group this year?

How did we do this year?

As we wrap up the official 2011-2012 Journey Group year this month, this is a valuable time to collect information to help us discern how effective we have been at making disciples in our Journey Groups.  Below is a link to an online survey we are using to gather the information.  We want everyone connected to a Journey Group to take this survey.  Will you take a few moments right now to take the survey yourself?  If you exit the survey before finishing, you cannot return and pick up where you left off, so make sure you have 5-10 minutes to complete it when you begin. http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/DiscipleshipAssessment

We have a high calling from God to Make Disciples of Jesus for Kingdom Impact and we want to be as effective and fruitful as possible.  Thank you for helping us assess our efforts this year so that we can be even more effective in the future!

Let me hear your stories

Can you believe the end of the Journey Group year is almost here? Because we believe in a rhythm of life, we encourage Journey Groups to take a break over the summer. Before that happens, we want to celebrate what God has done in the groups. Do you have a story to share of God's transforming work in your Journey Group?  We would love to highlight a few of these stories at our year end celebration event on April 30.  Please take a moment to share the story with us so we can praise God and celebrate His work among us - http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/journeygroupstories

Project 4:4 material for March

The March material for Project 4:4 is here!  Download and print it here - JG Discussion Pages - March - or follow the link on the right side of this page. How is Project 4:4 going in your group?  Comment and share a story of God's work in your group through Project 4:4 to date.  Let's celebrate His power to change us make us into His image!

Project 4:4 in February

Here is the February edition of the Project 4:4 Journey Group discussion material - Project 4:4 Journey Group Material - February.  You can also access the material through the link on the right side of this page. We continue to pray that this material will help your group engage God's Word in exciting ways this year!

Project 4:4 Journey Group Material

Project 4:4 is just around the corner! Are you excited and expectant for God to grow your faith in new ways through this experience? In preparation for the launch of Project 4:4 on January 1, 2012, we are releasing the first set of Journey Group material we've created. These discussion guides focus on a particular passage from each week's reading and provide questions to explore the Biblical content and apply the truths to our lives. The discussion guides will be released a month in advance through emails and the Journey Group Leader blog. We will also have a limited supply of paper copies available at the Journey Group booth in the atrium.

Two things to consider as your group uses these guides:

1. These are not just for the leader. Encourage your group members to print and use the guides as they read. Feel free to forward the emails or direct them to the Journey Group Leader blog.
2. Like any material created, it may need to be adjusted to suit your group. Use your knowledge of your group and the Holy Spirit to help you tweak these questions or create alternative ones as needed. We promise not to get our feelings hurt...too badly.

If you have any thoughts or questions about this material or Project 4:4 in general, feel free to reach out to us. You can reach Dave Irwin at 402-938-1562 or davei@cccomaha.org and Reid Brown at 402-938-1561 or reidb@cccomaha.org.

Important schedule updates

Hi, Everyone, I have some important scheduling updates to give you for Journey Groups. Some of these I have shared in group meetings already, but some will be new.

1. As we discussed at the last Leadership Community Night, the Leadership Community Night scheduled for Sunday, November 6, has been decentralized and will happen in living rooms rather than at CCC. This means that we are NOT hosting a gathering at CCC on November 6. Instead, the Journey Group Coaches will meet with their leaders sometime during the month of November and December. For those leaders who are not yet connected with a Coach, you will be hearing from me individually.
2. We are canceling the Mid-Year Huddle planned for January 7 in order to place more emphasis on Accelerate(CCC's whole church leadership event) that's scheduled for Monday, February 6. Accelerate will give us the opportunity to be encouraged and challenged by an internationally recognized leader in the Christian community. I also want to offer some opportunity for us to debrief and interact on what we learn as it relates to Journey Groups...but I'm still working out those details.
3. GroupLink is scheduled for Friday, January 20. If you are looking to add people to your group, this will be an excellent opportunity to network with people who want to join a Journey Group. We will be asking for your RSVP to be there in the coming months. I encourage you to bring up the opportunity with your group members and get their input.

Here is an updated copy of the Year-At-A-Glance calendar that you can print off and read each night before you go to sleep (we can help with counseling if you actually do this). If you have any questions or comments, feel free to drop me an email (davei@cccomaha.org) or give me a call (402-938-1562)!

Dave

Future Shock Follow-up

Hi, Everyone, I wanted to let you know about a great opportunity to help the evangelism team in the coming days. This Sunday, October 30, is the last message in the Future Shock series and a response card will be collected in the service. The evangelism team has the job of following up with those who indicate an interest in a follow-up class and discussion groups for seekers. We're obviously praying for a big response and we want to line up a few extra people to help. Here's how you can jump in...

1. Come to the church on Sunday, October 30, in the evening to help sort out the response cards and/or make a few phone calls.
2. If you can't be there on 10/30, Tim Perry can email you a list of people to call during the week along with a few notes on what we want to accomplish in the conversations. Once you've talked with the people on your list, simply email the notes back to Tim Perry.

If you want to help the evangelism team in this effort, please contact Tim Perry at timp@cccomaha.org or 402-938-1505. Thanks!

Serving Opportunity

This opportunity to serve came across my desk today and I thought I would pass it along.

A senior citizen (heat attack survivor) and CCC attendee needs help with outside home projects. The brick home needs the soffits and picture window painted, any tree trimming would be greatly appreciated and cement driveway and sidewalk has cracks that need to be cemented. I will provide the materials, paint, brush, cement, however, I do not have ladders.

THANK YOU,

Linda at 402-556-8938

3616 South 46th Ave.