Thinking about leading a Group can feel intimidating. Are you qualified? Do you have the right tools? Will you be good at it? Here鈥檚 the relieving news: everyone has the potential to succeed and win when leading a Group.
Check out these 4 areas to prioritize and practice, then follow the nudge and start leading people through what it looks like to win at relationships!
Care - Create a culture of belonging
Everyone wants to know that they matter and that someone has their back. As a leader, you can provide care by being aware of what鈥檚 going on in people鈥檚 lives. You can鈥檛 care about what you don鈥檛 know, so ask questions and show up in predictable and unpredictable ways! Remember that you are a first responder鈥攊t鈥檚 not your job to fix everything, but to help fill in the gaps.
Be sure to set realistic limits for yourself, and know that sometimes people will need more in-depth care than you can provide. If you have a Group member who is struggling with something beyond your capacity, feel free to direct them to the Care & Prayer page to get connected with an LCBC pastor.
Equip - Pass your skills and knowledge on to others
The mark of a great leader is someone who develops others. Lead your Group well so that others can learn from your example. As you lead, be sure to share responsibility and give others ownership in the Group too. Look for the right people to invest in. Some reliable indicators are people who are humble, teachable, curious, and intentional.
Guide - Pray for and encourage your Group members towards their best next step
Our role as leaders is to show the way and clear the path to enable others to walk more closely with Jesus. The best way to guide is to have a plan for where you want to lead. Before you start a Group, be sure to get familiar with the material you will use and the people in your Group.
One of the best ways to get to know others is to have them share their stories. What are some defining moments, relationships, and steps on their faith journey? As you get to know those in your Group, be sure to pray for them by name. We can鈥檛 force someone to take their next step, but we can ask God to prompt the desire in their hearts. And don鈥檛 just pray, give your Group members a practical way to take a step forward, too!
Grow - Lead yourself before you lead your Group because you can鈥檛 give what you don鈥檛 have
Who we are will always set the limits on what we can do. If we want to be great leaders, we have to develop both our character and competencies. As we seek to help others fully follow Jesus, we must also stay connected to him. Connect with God by making time with him a priority each day. It doesn鈥檛 have to take long or be complicated; just decide on a time and place, take 10 minutes to read the Bible, and talk to God about what you read! Connecting with God and others by attending a gathering each week is another effective way to keep growing!
With a some intentionality and a lot of prayer and personal reflection, you can grow your own abilities as a leader and help your Group connect more and more with each other and with God. Here are some more resources to help you become a better leader and shepherd your Group:
5 Biblical Leadership Stories That Everyone Can Apply Today
Top 10 Bible Verses on Leadership
5 Reasons It's Worth It to Lead a Group at LCBC (Even if You're an Introvert!)
Overcoming Your Hesitations About Starting a Group
LCBC stands for Lives Changed By Christ. We are one church in multiple locations across Pennsylvania. Find the location closest to you or join us for Church Online. We can鈥檛 wait to connect with you!