|
Learning How to Multiply!
by Karen Kluever
A key feature and goal of Synago small groups is to grow in members to the point (ten regular members) where the group can “multiply” into two new groups. This “multiplication” factor presents groups with both opportunities and challenges. This is an area where we get the most questions about Synago, so I’d like to share with you some thoughts, tips, and stories from first-hand experience.
Leadership Must Positively Take on the Challenge.
Transitioning from one slightly bulging but intimate small group into two new groups IS challenging. No question about it. That is why it is so important to train and encourage your student leadership (and adult counselors too) to be positive about “growing to multiply” right from the beginning. It’s why this is stated as a small group goal in the purpose statement, to be read at each small group session. When your leadership is upbeat and positive about growing to multiply—and they model the invitational aspect of this ministry by inviting new members—then other group members can be emotionally prepared (maybe even enthusiastic) about reaching the multiplication point.
Celebrate the “birthing” of two new groups by having a birthday party with members of the original and the new groups. (Invite the new adult counselor and any other potential new members!) Let most of your small group session be a social time. Have birthday cake! Then, allow time for the new groups to meet separately for sharing and prayer. One group held it’s birthday celebration at a restaurant, just for something special and different.
Another way to encourage your leaders to be positive about multiplying is to have regular leader meetings, such as every four to six weeks. We asked all of our student leaders and adult counselors to attend a monthly Small Group Leader Meeting, which we held during Sunday school. (We were also able to get student leaders who weren’t members of our church to attend these meetings. The time worked.) At this meeting, leaders gave updates on their groups, shared joys and concerns, and helped each other problem-solve. When leaders hear about other groups that are growing and multiplying, it challenges them to do the same. They also get good advice from groups that have done it well, or learn what didn’t work well.
Student Leaders Determine Make-Up of New Groups.
Over time, a group’s student co-leaders will become very savvy about their group’s dynamics. If they also understand the aspect of
“spiritual mix,” then they are well-equipped to determine the make-up of the two new groups, in consultation with their adult counselor. The decision of who makes up the two new groups should NOT be put to the group itself and should not be determined by adults. If we’re serious about students being leaders, then this is one of those areas where they need to be trusted—and get the experience—to make these kinds of decision.
I remember one pair of student co-leaders who were anticipating that their group would need to multiply in a few weeks. They were already playing around with who would go in each new group and who potential new leaders might be. They looked at
- People who should (and could) be separated.
“They talk constantly to each other, but they’d still come even if they were in separate groups, because they would have other friends in either group.”
- People who need to stay in the same group.
“John’s fairly new and comes with Tamara, who gives him a ride. Let’s keep them together.”
- Spiritual mix.
“Cameron, David, Cara, and Karl are all pretty strong Christians and are comfortable talking about their faith and praying in the group. Let’s get two of them to be new co-leaders—one for each of us to lead with—and then put each of the other two into a new group.” Having group members at different places in their faith journeys in the same small group makes for a more dynamic, interesting, authentic, and challenging small group experience. When determining the make up of new groups, student co-leaders should try to place people so that each new group has a mix of strong Christians, new or struggling Christians, and nonChristians or “church inactives.”
- Gender mix.
Although some Synago groups may choose to be single gender, co-ed groups may be more successful in encouraging the participation of all. I’ve found girls to be typically more comfortable opening up and sharing. They tend to serve as a stimulus and encouragement to the guys sharing. Co-ed groups also provide a great opportunity for boys and girls to learn more about each other, appreciate each other, and improve their relationships with the opposite sex. Being in a small group together helps boys and girls to see and relate to each other as Christian brothers and sisters.
Be Flexible. Work With What You’ve Got.
In a perfect world, when a group reaches ten regular members and is ready to multiply, there would be two students within the group qualified and willing to serve as co-leaders with the current leaders. There would also be another adult, waiting in the wings, ready to step in and serve as a counselor in one of the new groups. But things are rarely that perfect, so know that it’s OK to “draw outside the line” when it comes to multiplying groups, sorting members, and finding leadership. For example, one of my groups was bursting to multiply; however, there were no other student members, other than the co-leaders, spiritually mature enough to be leaders or who could make the commitment at that time. There was another small group that wasn’t ready to multiply, yet had several group members qualified and wanting to be leaders. So, we asked two of them if they’d be willing to leave their current group because we needed their leadership for two new groups. And they agreed! (It also challenged their original group to invite more people, since they’d “lost” the two of them.)
Group Experience Improves, Multiplying Gets Easier.
Once a group has gone through the experience of multiplying, the next time is typically easier. Group members will have had a chance to experience the benefits of being small again:
- More time for sharing and covering session material.
- Encouragement to invite more friends.
- Chance for more students to serve as leaders.
I also observed that shy students are less likely to share in a group of ten, than in a group of six, so staying small through multiplying improves the group experience for those who may need it the most!
|
