This is the fourth of five chapters in a 25 part blog series titled: The Five Elements of a Fully Implemented Connections Strategy, published over a five week period. Everything I have posted here is the result of my own personal experiences, from serving on church staffs, volunteering as a lay leader, and being brought in as a paid consultant. It is my hope that these posts will help you and your church get better at connecting with guests, not simply to increase your attendance and membership, but ultimately to grow the body of Christ. Implementing a Connections strategy (or “Assimilation” strategy) is a long term process, and one that relies on a culture of continual improvement. This chapter has five entries, which will all be linked below the post as they are published.
4.2 Group Launch Curriculum. If your church offers groups that stay together more than a semester, creating a Group Launch Curriculum is a no brainer. Whether you launch new groups with a required curriculum, open group topics, or sermon question discussion, this strategy that can help launch new groups well and tie them to your church vision. If you aren’t tied to a topical/semester approach, or if you have on-site Sunday morning groups (Adult Bible Fellowships, Sunday School, etc.) a Group Launch Curriculum is a strong option for you. OK I made my point.
Every new group begins by going through this curriculum. A Group Launch Curriculum is focused on the core values and vision of the church, and how small groups play a role. The materials essentially “launch” each new group through introducing them to a set of values and best practices. The materials differ from church to church, and may even be the requirement for church membership. These types of groups are valuable because they can begin at any time, on campus or off campus, and come fully equipped with discussion material from 3-12 weeks.
If you don’t plan on doing groups that last more than one semeester, my next post deals with “Starting Point” groups, as a practical next step for all of your guests.
NEXT: 4.3 “Starting Point” Groups
Main Series Page: The Five Elements of a Fully Implemented Connections Strategy