SMALL GROUP MINISTRY

TASKS OF A SMALL GROUP LEADER

1. Faithful in prayer

2. To Prepare in Advance
   -physical arrangements
   -available resources (i.e., Bible)
   -format of the meeting: a plan
   -strategy for the use of time

3. To Guide the Group during the meeting
   -intervening when needed
   -maintaining time schedule (generally)

4. Ministry of Care
   -projection of personal warmth
   -keeping the group from passing judgment
   -being a model servant for the group "a facilitating, enabling servant leader"

FOUR STYLES OF LEADERSHIP

1. Autocratic – "Tell"

• total control
• leader announces contract
• asks and answers all questions

2. Authoritative – "Sell"

• strong control with members actively involved
• definite purpose but open to modification
• prepared to give direction
• prepares and asks questions: members respond and discuss

3. Democratic – "Participate"

• group centered – egalitarian
• shares leadership responsibility
• shared control with leader and members sharing functions and decisions

4. Laissez-Faire – "Delegate"

• permissive – passive
• minimal control
• doesn't prepare and lets things drift
• asks vague or general questions

PATTERNS OF LEADERSHIP

*There are a variety of patterns which can be used to conduct a meeting:

1. One leader for every session

• most common pattern with a leader serving for a pre-determined length (i.e., 8-10 weeks)
• the continuity of one leader helps the group to develop because everyone becomes familiar with a particular style

2. Partnership Pattern Leadership

Two or three people act as group leaders and share various tasks
week by week. The leadership can be rotated on a weekly basis or
each meeting can be sub-divided into several components with each
leader assisting in some capacity.

3. Rotating Leadership

In this pattern, each member of the group takes a turn at leading.
No one person is burdened with this responsibility, but unless the
participants are experienced, the group can lose its direction and
productivity.