I believe group based ministries will prove to be the path by which we Unitarian Universalists get up and start moving our movement.

Many of the challenges facing our faith, from welcoming and retaining newcomers, keeping our youth, becoming more diverse communities, and developing cultures of service outside our walls - these things require a group component. We need one another and the trusting relationships developed in groups over time to change ourselves, transform our faith, and heal the world. We need to get wise about groups and relational ministry to carry out our faith's mission.

Scroll down for my top tips & recommendations

In 2001 I launched our association's first small group ministry website. In 2004 Calvin Dame and I agreed to launch a network to further support this ministry. Together with Mellen Kennedy, we launched the UU SGM Network in June of 2004. It is now a non-profit run by an amazing board of volunteers.

GroupWise! New resources & articles
I will be writing more about small group ministry over the coming year, documenting what I have been sharing in trainings, consultations, guest speaking, but not in print. Articles will be shared via my e-newsletter "Groupwise!" and will not be available elsewhere unitl a book is ready.
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SGM Help Consulting, Training Services, Help Calls
I offer fee-for-service trainings and consultations on small group ministry and covenant groups. This includes telephone calls ($60/hr) nation-wide. Contact me for scheduling.

TOP TIPS

1. Start as you wish to continue
However you start this ministry is generally how it is going to carry on. Mid course adjustments are harder than one would expect. Design your ministry so it is a long term, integrated dimension of your ministry. This is not a time saver ministry. All the energy you put in now will need to be maintained forever. It never goes on auto pilot.

2. Develop in-house leadership training capacity
I am regularly asked to lead facilitator trainings. I'll help you start, but you absolutely must develop an in-house system for continually identifying, mentoring, recruiting, and supporting new group leaders. This is the engine behind small group growth. No leadership development process? Your ministry will stagnate and the groups will often become a liability. Before you launch your ministry read the two books I recommend below. I invite you to tell me what you think of them.

3. Make it official
Whatever model you are using, whatever plan you have for supporting and training leaders - make sure you document it and get it approved by your board. Create a "charter" document for your group ministry. If you're launching a new congregation wide group ministry this is a huge deal and commitment. Write it up and have your board approve it.

Too late?
If you didn't do all of this when you started, no worry. Revisit your vision, write up how you want your group ministry to function, including leadership development as a central dimension, and then get the board to approve it. Presto Chango!

TOP RECOMMENDED
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