Practicing the Art of Presence - Steve Grusendorg

It’s easy for a small group leader to feel overwhelmed. And if we stop to consider, for just a moment, all of their responsibilities it’s even easier to see why: prepare the lesson, teach the lesson, lead the prayer time, coordinate the location details, make sure there are plenty of snacks, and follow up with individuals outside of the normal group meeting. Top all of this off with work, family, and other duties and it seems like many small group leaders are excellent candidates for spiritual burn out.

Furthermore, small group participants often expect their leader to have everything together. The model marriage, the model devotional life…the list goes on. So much so that small group leaders often feel unable to share true struggles and issues in the very groups they lead. How can they when the one causing many of their spiritual struggles may be sitting on the lazy boy on the other side of the living room?

As a leader of small group leaders it is essential that we actively connect with those we lead, giving them ample opportunity to be refreshed and renewed.

1. Create a culture of proactive care. Tom had led a small group for years. So when he showed up in my office one day and told me that he couldn’t handle leading his group any longer, I was astonished. He told me that the office he worked for had been keeping him on the road far longer than he was used to and his family life was struggling because of it. He just did not have the time to lead his group. We worked it out so that one of the other couples in the group would lead the small group for the next few months while Tom and his wife Josie could take a break.

Sometime our leaders are so busy with life and ministry that they don’t even think to bring up the fact that they are running on empty. As leaders we have to engage them through a variety of vehicles in order to give them ample opportunity to stay healthy. Of course connecting over coffee or lunch is a great way to stay connected. Our church has multiple services on Sunday morning and since my small group leaders are already at the church, I will often meet them during a service or between a Christian education class and the worship service they attend. I also utilize a web-based survey that my leaders routinely fill out. There is no right or wrong way to do it, just make sure you are proactive. Don’t wait until they breakdown in your office before stepping in to offer help.

2. Commit to priority follow-up. (read full article)