Big Ideas about Small Groups

Top 10 Worst Ways to Welcome a Newcomer to Small Group

Eric Metcalf | NewThing Adult Ministry Champion

I once surveyed our staff asking them what would be the worst way to welcome a newcomer to a small group.  Here is what they came up with and who said it:

1. Be chanting when the newcomer comes to small group (Nick Plassman)
2. "So tell us, what do you know about the Bible?" (Sue Smith)
3. Tell stories the whole time that are exclusive to the small group (Tony Germann)
4. Ask them to pray out loud at the start of small group (Troy McMahon)
5. Ask them, "What's your greatest sin?" (Tanya Weible)
6. "Did you bring the brownies?" (Brad Prunty)
7. Keep complaing that they are taking up the empty chair (Bill Carroll)
8. When a newcomer arrives at the door say, "Who invited you??" (Janet McMahon)
9. "You ready to get the Holy Spirit?!?" (Steve Brewer)
10. "Where's your sacrificial lamb?" (Bill Barton)

Got any other ones?

Marriage Rebuilders - week of Sept 23!

Eric Metcalf | NewThing Adult Ministry Champion

A couple of times a year CCC offers an 8 week small group experience called Marriage Rebuilders.  Marriage Rebuilders is a support group for those who want to make their marriage stronger or for those whose marriage seems like there is no hope.

A person can attend alone or with their spouse.  It's a small group that equips someone with practical tools to better communicate with their spouse, teach them how to deal with arguements by developing alternative ways of responding to conflict with others, and examine how to focus in changing "self" vs. focusing on how the other person "should" change.

It costs $20 a person and childcare costs $25 for one child; $50 for 2 or more.

Contact Cindy O'Donnell or Diane Dassing for more information.

CCC Young Adults

Eric Metcalf | NewThing Adult Ministry Champion

Caren Fog, NewThing Leadership Resident, is at it again. Check out her most recent project:

I also want to give props to Bill Barton, Naperville Campus Young Adult Small Groups Director (longest title ever!) and his team - they had the vision for this and they use videos like these on their myspace page: http://www.myspace.com/cccyoungadults.  Very cool!

Marriage Rebuilders 1-day Workshop

Eric Metcalf | NewThing Small Groups Champion

Got Tools for Marriage?

In our daily lives we encounter many things that require us to be prepared for the tasks at hand: at work, in parenting, even leaving for vacation requires that we stop to look at the road map. Having the necessary tools is a first step in being able to accomplish our goals. The same is true in our marital relationships.

Marriage Rebuilders presents a summer workshop: Got Tools? that provides practical tools for couples anywhere along their journey. From the honeymoon to the golden years, come learn about God’s intention for marriage. Counselors Mike and Valerie Murphy from Crossroads Community Church will help you discover the transforming power of God when we allow him into our marriage. Participants will leave with practical ways to improve communication and ideas for navigating through the challenges of family life.

To register or for more information, please stop by the Next Steps table after service. Got Tools? will be held Saturday, July 14th at the Romeoville CAC. The event runs 8:30am-2:30pm. Registration is $15 per person with lunch included. For questions, contact Cindy O'Donnell, Director of Support and Recovery, at 630.388.5160

Not just one Bill Barton, but 3!!!

Eric Metcalf | NewThing Small Groups Champion

One of the most common questions we get here at CCC or NewThing is:

How do we go about connecting people into small groups?

Which I think is so the right question to ask!  Well, Bill Barton our Young Adult and Singles Small Groups Director is so the right person to answer that question.  There is no one better at connecting the masses of people on the weekends than Bill.  Check out what he has to say about this topic...and if you like Bill's first video...check out his other ones too!

Becoming an Inviting Group | Bill Barton

Caring for Small Group Members | Bill Barton

Welcoming Young Adults to MySpace | Bill Barton

Connecting with the Neighbs

Beth Kolar | Yorkville Small Groups

As I continue on my journey of self-discovery, I ask myself, "Am I who I say I am?  Can people tell?"

Not only are there over 2000 new homes right next door to me...I am also new to my neighborhood and working over 40 hours a week makes it difficult to get to know people.  I have been wondering - how am I perceived?  How will I get to know these people, how will they get to know me and how will they find their way back to God?  I am worried that if I don't step out and do something, we will all be stuck.  Isolated in our shiny, new homes.  Yuck!  I want COMMUNITY!

Wanna know what I came up with (well it wasn't me, it was Kurt & Bernice, they are the smart ones)...BLOCK PARTIES!!  That's what I am going to do.  I have never thrown one and I am a bit nervous.  I want our Yorkville small groups to do the same.  Do you have ideas for us?

Follow, follow, follow, follow...follow up!

Beth Kolar | Yorkville Small Groups

Are you what you said you wanted to be when you grew up?  Chances are you aren't.  Does that mean that it was a bad career choice?  Does that mean you're a liar, or inconsistent, or that you don't know yourself?  I don't think so.

It is far more likely that you grew up, tried some things and figured out what you liked and were good at what you didn't like and weren't good at.  You might still be working towards what you always wanted to be, but aren't there just yet.

The same basic principle applies to finding a small group.  Potential members might have great intentions to attend your group, but they aren't there just yet.  It doesn't mean they are liars or they really never wanted to join your group.

It means that they aren't there...just yet!

So how do you get them there?  Follow-up.  You've heard "Life is a journey, not a destination."  What about 'journeying' with your potential small group members?  The beginning of the journey is 'the ask'..."Do you want to come to my small group?"

The rest of the journey is follow-up.

Did they come?  No?  Call them and see how they are, what kept them away...will they be able to come next week?  Yes?  Call them and see how they are, how they liked group and if they are able to come next week.  And if they don't come next week?  Call them and see how they are, what kept them away...will they be able to come next week? (and no, this isn't a typo)

You may at some point ask if another night or location is more comfortable for them and direct them to another group.  But remember, if you do, to...call the small group leader with the name and number of the prospective member.  And then...call them and see how they are, how they are liked the group and if they will be going the next week.

People need to try things out before they know what they want and people don't often end up where they start.  Follow-up is a way to care about and connect the unconnected.

So You Got Them All Connected - Now What?

Carter Moss | Montgomery Small Groups

So I was having a conversation recently with my good friend Eric, our CCC/NewThing Small Group Champion (I said that to make him feel important).  We usually end up talking ministry no matter where we are and what we're doing (which drives our wives crazy).  Eric said he talked to a church recently who has reached nearly 100% of their people grouped, so they asked the brilliant question: now what?  I recently was pondering a similar question, since the campus I oversee (Montgomery Campus) is making some great progress on grouping people (87% connected!).  Not that I ever think we'll hit 100%, but I was wondering what else I could focus on regarding small groups, so I can I keep a constant inspiring vision in front of my leaders.

So Eric and I ended up discussing this brilliant new concept - what if small groups start focusing on connecting those outside the weekend celebration service?  Ok, so maybe that concept isn't new (and yes, I can be a bit slow sometimes), but that doesn't mean it's not brilliant.  And I do think it's very easy to overlook.  Small groups can become one of the most powerful front doors to the church.  You've probably heard phrases in recent years like "poeple need to belong before they believe" or "win them over to community before you win them to Christ".  And it's true.  By God's grace, I've botten to be a part of two different stories like this over the last couple years.  We were able to include two different families in our neighborhood into our "community," and from there we've watched them begin amazing journeys beginning to follow Jesus.

But what does this really mean, for our groups to be more "evangelistic" (sorry for the old-school word) and focus on connecting those outside the church?  It can mean that they spend more time and energy on doing things they can invite others to, on serving in the community, and on hanging out in places where they can meet people.  But that's just a few general ideas that come to mind - what ideas have you seen work or always dreamed about trying?

Mmm...foam soap...

Tony Escobar | Pilsen Small Groups

Foam soap is a “deal-sealer” for me.  It is to me what donuts are to Homer Simpson.  I love it.  The first time I discovered a soap that plopped out into a little marshmellowy puff onto my hand, I was sold.  “That’s it!” I said, “I will never like any other kind of hand soap.”  Of course I'll still use other soaps so that I'm not gross and unsanitary.

But foam soap is just so fun.  It’s soothing.  It makes all the difference for me when I evaluate public and private restrooms abroad.  So beware—you now know how to get good with me, so I expect nothing less when I come to use your restroom.

There are lots of things that are deal makers or deal breakers when someone visits a small group--things that make them feel good when they come, things that make them want to come back, and things that make them want to stay.  Some effective dealmakers for small groups that I’ve seen for visitors are:

• Having a welcoming group
• Having great snacks / refreshments
• Giving visitors the freedom to check out the group at their own pace and comfort level
• Following up with visitors to let them know that you enjoyed their company
• Having fun, entry level group experiences (non-discussion/curriculum based)
• Tailoring regular group experiences to accommodate visitors. 
• Having foam soap in the bathroom

Six Degrees of Small Groups

Beth Kolar | Yorkville Small Groups

Hello.  Meet Jess.

She goes to my old church.  She has lots of friends, if you knew here, you would be surprised.  But, I recently moved to a new church...CCC.  So did most of my family.  My daughter and daughter-in-law invited friends from their work to our new church. (One of them was actually friends with Jess and they had been talking about God.)  So Jess' friend came to church...and they brought her boyfriend.  I got to meet her and we had lunch.  It was really nice.  At that time, I was in a small group with Elizabeth. 

Elizabeth was praying for a work friend's daughter.  I didn't know it but Elizabeth worked with Jess' friend's mom!  One day Elizabeth tells me that Jess' friend's mom was talking about her daughter and the this nice church she found; CCC in Yorkville.  Elizabeth mentioned she went to a Yorkville small group and the mom actually heard of me.

Well, Jess' friend started going to small group with my daughter-in-law.  She also went to a baptism class, just to support her boyfriend as he went.  She decided to get baptized too!  Today Jess, my daughter, my son, my daughter-in-law, Elizabeth, the mom and others I didn't know, all watched as I got to baptize Jess' friend, Jillianne.

Ever wonder if your small group is really having an effect?  Ever feel like you didn't have the impact you wanted with someone?  Today God's grace and HUGE plan was laid out before me.  What a little part I've played in Jillianne's life so far.  I almost couldn't believe how a person in a small here; a person in small group there, were all used to accomplish this miracle of a new life.  How happy I am that God is the playwright, the director and producer of each of our lives, if we will just let Him.

Don't ever stop inviting.  Don't ever think your small (or very small) group doesn't matter.  Don't ever think you aren't having impact...Don't ever.