What makes a good team? One who builds small groups and a string discipleship program.
John was born in Hong Kong and grew up in a Pastor’s home. At the age of three his family left
Hong Kong and throughout his life he has lived Kenya, Canada, Michigan and Pennsylvania.
He felt all the moving around was normal and felt pity for those who lived in the same place all
their lives.
When asked if he knew another language, he laughed and said, “I know swear words that have to
do with the church. Which shows the bitterness and resentment they have toward the church.”
In 1993 he began working in a church where his passion for small groups was burning within his
spirit. The senior Pastor finally said, “Put up or shut up!” This set John and a mission to begin
small groups. For a full year they planned and strategize how this would look in the church. At the
end of that year they pitched the vision to those interested, 120 attended that meeting.
Their small groups started with a series that lasted 6-8 weeks. Each of the 120 interested persons
had to take a turn at leading. At the end of the 8 weeks another meeting was held so they could
recap. From there 60 groups were started. In five years 60% of the adults were involved in a small
group. It is important to know the percentage of adults that are involved in a group. This can be
done by doing a special series to get a total count.
Groups meet on set nights with each group studying the same thing. A good leader will be able to
coach the class by asking questions like: What’s the Word saying? And how can we apply it?
Tracking Visitors: Letter from the Pastor. Phone call within 24 hours.
Questions to ask over the phone: What did you think of the service? Are you thinking of coming
back? Did someone invite you? How did you hear about the church? Is there’s anything we can
do to help you in your spiritual journey? Glad you were with us and pray for them.
I asked John about the children at one of our C3 Groups which meets on Sunday evenings. My
concern was for the children (two boys, brothers) at the group my husband and I lead. These
children are in the basement during the group time. From time to time they will come up for a
drink or to ask a question only to be told by the mom to go back down stairs. I feel bad for the
boys and concerned they might fell pushed out and resent the group being there. John gave a great
example of children in one of his groups who put on a puppet show for the adults. Class mates
offered encouragement of being in groups themselves and loved being ‘in the basement’. Tom
offered a wonderful suggestion, “Take the boys something special from time to time.” Which I
plan to do!
Tonight was wonderful and I look forward to the rest of the semester.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
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