Small Groups BIG Impact Dr. Jim Egli

Goals of this Webinar You will... Understand what makes Small Groups Thrive Know the Key Elements for Group System Growth See how the SGBI Assessment aids diagnosis and spurs healthy growth

What Makes Small Groups Grow? Many Churches have Implemented Small Groups Inspired by Biblical model or principles Motivated by Practical reasons Church Health & Growth Improved Outreach, Discipleship, Assimilation What Going On? Some had seen wonderful results Many have been Struggled

The Research 3000 Small Group Leaders Surveyed In over 200 churches Scientific Statistical Methodology Factor Analysis Beyond Correlations to Path Analysis Some results were expected. Some were surprising! What characteristics & behaviors of leaders matter?

What does NOT matter Marital Status Age Educational Level Personality Spiritual Gifts

Growing Groups have Leaders who... Spend More Time with God Pray Consistently for Members Pray More for their Meetings Prepare More for their Study Pray for Non-Christian Friends Model Relational Outreach Encourage Relationships Spend time with others Encourage the Gifts of others Use Potential Leaders

Growing Groups & Their Leaders... Pray Reach Care Empower

Growth Surprise Small Groups Grow in 3 Different Ways: ‣ Conversion Growth ‣ Assimilation ‣ Multiplication

3 Growth OutcomesAssimilation Conversion Growth Multiplication

Which Groups Bring Others? Conversion Growth PrayReach

How important is Prayer? Percent that saw Persons Brought to Christ in Past 9 Months: 83% vs. 19% Strong vs. Weak Prayer Life

A Praying Leader Consistent Time with God Prayer for Friends that Need God More Time with God Prayer for Members Prayer for Small Group Meetings Pray

How important is an Outward Focus? Percent that saw at least One Person Brought to Christ Each 6 Months: 90% vs. 11% Strong vs. Weak Outreach

Reaching Out Members Spend Time with Friends in order to Share Christ Encourage members to Invite Others Outreach is a Stated Purpose of the Group Prayer in Meetings for Friends that Need God Leader that Models Relational Outreach Reach

Which Groups Assimilate Others?Assimilation Conversion Growth PrayCareReach

How important are Caring Relationships? Percent of Groups that had Added 4 or More Members: 44% vs. 18% Strong vs. Weak Caring Relationships

Caring Group Are like Family to one another Pray for One Another through the Week Support each other in Times of Need Have Fun Together Spend time with one another Between Meetings Care

& Outward Focused Groups Experience More Care! Caring Groups Enfold More People!

Can Outreach and Care go together? Not only can they. They must!

Which Groups Multiply? Assimilation Conversion Growth PrayCareReachMultiplicationEmpower

How important is Empowering Leadership? Percent of Groups that had Multiplied or Sent Out New Leaders: 62% vs. 27% Strong vs. Weak Empowering

Empowering Others Talk to members about their potential Encourage members to take risks and try new things Encourage others to get trained Meets with their intern(s) to plan Constant look for potential leaders Empower

3 4 For Long-term Growth All 3 Outcomes And All 4 Health Factors are Essential

Small Group System Growth

Why do some Small Group Ministries Thrive?

While other Small Group Ministries struggle?

What does Not make Small Group Ministries Grow? Emphasizing the importance of Small Groups Pastor’s emphasis on Groups Expectation that everyone is in a group Talk about being a Small Group church Mediocre Generals talk Strategy, Winning Generals plan logistics Not!

What does make Small Group Ministries Grow? There are three key church factors 3 Three three 3 3iii

Intercede Assimilation Conversion Growth Intercede PrayCareEmpowerReach Multiplication

An Atmosphere of Prayer Pastor models a life of prayer Testimonies of answered prayer are shared Prayer and fasting emphasized by leadership Miraculous healings are experienced Opportunities to Pray with others Messages on Prayer Intercede

Coach Assimilation Conversion Growth Intercede PrayCareEmpowerReach Coach Multiplication

Proactive Coaching Personal Meetings between the Coach and Small Group Leader Coach aware of Leaders’ Needs and praying for them Meetings with team of Small Group Leaders With Coach With Church Group is visited by a Coach Coach

Equip Assimilation Conversion Growth Intercede PrayCareEmpowerReach CoachEquip Multiplication

Culture of Multiplication High value of multiplying the # of: Growing new Christians New Leaders Emphasis on helping new Christians grow Clear equipping system Continual encouragement to recruit more Leaders Equip

A Small Group System is Like a Tree

Fruit Conversion Growth Assimilation Group Multiplication Pray Reach Care Empower Intercede Equip Coach Small Group Health Group System Health

on Small Group Ministry Growth Q&A

Assessing Small Groups & Group System Health & Growth

Small Groups, Big Impact Online Assessment Indicates the Strengths and Growth Needs of Every Group & Leader (on 4 Group Health Factors) Indicates the Strengths and Weaknesses of the Overall Small Group Ministry on Ten Scales 3 Growth Outcomes (Conversion Growth, Assimilation, Multiplication) 4 Small Group Health Factors (Pray, Reach, Care & Empower) 3 Church System Factors (Intercede, Coach, Equip) Shows the Effectiveness of Every Coach

Small Group Leader Report 6 Page Report Indicates the Strengths and Growth Needs on 4 Group Health Factors Specific Action Suggestions Customized to their Pattern Recommended Resources for their Area of Weakness Questions to help them plan their Next Steps

Strong Small Group Leader Weak Small Group Leader

Jim Egli’s Small Group - Winter 2010

Small Group Leader (Average)

Church SG Ministry Report 10 Page Report Shows Strengths and Growth Edges for all 3 Levels Specific Action Suggestions for Your Church Recommended Resources for Growth Edges A Guide to help You plan Your Next Steps

A Sample Church Assessment

Growth Outcomes Small Group Health Factors

Church Factors

Active Coach Passive Coach

Key Resources Free Resources for Pastors, Small Group Leaders and Coaches to cultivate growing groups at: “Resources” Tab Small Groups, Big Impact Book How to Lead a High Impact Small Group Training Small Groups, Big Impact Assessment

Taking the Assessment Go to Click on the “Registration” tab in the upper right hand corner of the page You will be register and administer the Assessment through Leaders will be sent a link and several reminders You will get an update in 21 days of who has and has not taken the assessment You will get your full report and coaches report when you decide you have enough leaders in

Taking the Assessment (If Churchteams church) Is integrated with Churchteams as suggested by pilot churches Should be activated by Churchteams churches from within Churchteams Update your org chart before activating Leaders will be sent a link and several reminders You will get an update in 21 days of who has and has not taken the assessment

Getting Your Results Your Leaders will get their own results immediately after taking the Assessment You will also get copies of these ed to you as they are taken Do NOT get your coach or church results till your leaders are done submitting surveys You can run these assessments only once Wait a month or so to do this We are available to answer questions or help at any point

Keeping in Touch Like our FaceBook Page Search for “Small Groups Big Impact” on FaceBook to find us Jim’s blog on multiplying the # of Disciples, Leaders, Groups, and Churches Includes free multisite resources