We have come to the final post of our series Four Roles of a Small Group Leader. Now we’ll look at the fourth role, Small Group Leader as Leader. For the rest of the articles in this series, you can search “Small Groups” in the categories on the right hand column of the blog (or below for mobile browsers).

Four Roles of a Small Group Leader (Click to open each article)
1. Facilitator – Meetings
2. Shepherd – Care
3. Mentor – Training
4. Leader – Vision
In the leadership role, one has the great opportunity to pass on vision and give direction to the group. The vision for the small group may be provided by the church which the group is part of. But it is the role of the group leader to take the church’s vision and adapt it to the small group.
There are many things a small group can do. Numerous opportunities will present itself as the group progresses. But your responsibility is to make sure the group stays set on accomplishing its vision through every activity.
Focus
A group whose purpose is clearly expressed will have better focus. Without proper focus the people will quickly lose interest. The purpose and direction of the group needs to be clear and should be articulated clearly on a regular basis. As the leader, people look to you for direction.
Care
For so many people, life is full of struggles. They desperately need a helping hand. Lead the people in caring for each other. Your care for them is important. But when the members of the group care for each other, the benefits are tremendous.
Outreach
Some groups are very good with care. They wholeheartedly care for their members. But they neglect reaching out to others. Groups that become ingrown never last.
For many people, outreach doesn’t come naturally. You need to lead them in doing outreach. Give them the reasons for doing outreach, provide opportunities, and join them in the process.
Being the leader of a small group goes much beyond just leading the weekly meetings. As a leader, you take on the more comprehensive role of providing direction for the group according to the vision you have.
As we conclude this series, here is brief snippet of what we covered:
Four Roles of a Small Group Leader
1. Facilitator – Meetings
As the Facilitator, the leader takes responsibility of the weekly meetings. You lead the group “seamlessly” through the various aspects of the meeting. Ultimately, you hope to see lives changed and friends of each group member come to a relationship with Christ.
2. Shepherd – Care
As a Shepherd, you lead the group to care for each other. This care may include aspects of emotional, spiritual, and physical needs. You are developing a caring community.
3. Mentor – Training
As a Mentor, you come alongside each member as they navigate life. You help them with their spiritual life and be a leader to them in the areas where they need help.
4. Leader – Vision
As a Leader, you have the role of providing direction to the group through proper application of the Vision of the group. Make sure everything the group does will work to accomplish the vision.
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• Need book recommendations on Small Groups, Coaching, Leadership, and other topics? Get a list of books I recommend at Barnabas.in/resources

As we continue our series Four Roles of a Small Group Leader, we’ll look at the third role, Small Group Leader as Mentor. For the rest of the articles in this series, you can search “Small Groups” in the categories on the right-hand column of the blog (or below for mobile browsers).

Four Roles of a Small Group Leader

1. Facilitator – Meetings

2. Shepherd – Care

3. Mentor – Training

4. Leader – Vision

As a mentor, the leader focuses on training the members of the group in Life, Spirituality, and Leadership. These are the areas of mentoring that the leader is privileged to impact.
The Leader also goes through a process of mentoring by acting as a coach, encourager, and resource person.
Areas of Mentoring
LIFE
Living life can be a complex challenge for all of us. But if we have someone who can come alongside us, that makes a great difference.
Leaders do not need to be experts on living life. They just need to be an encouraging person who can give perspective and focus. When times get tough (as it often does), leaders can help people to have a better perspective.
You might say that you are not a “life coach” in any sense of the word, but eventually you grow into that role. At least for the people you lead, you have impacted their life tremendously.
SPIRITUALITY
Every area of the person’s life is connected to spirituality. Every decision is in some way impacted by the person’s spiritual dimension.
Small Group leaders may not see themselves as spiritual leaders, but in the long run, the people’s lives are touched and they see you as such. Learn to accept the roles you grow into and begin to purposefully move in that direction.
LEADERSHIP
Knowing the next step and taking people along in that direction is basic to leadership. As you lead a small group, you grow in leadership skills much beyond anything you’ve imagined.
Process of Mentoring

COACH 

Leaders take the initiative to come alongside each member as their coach. They do not have all the answers, and they are not perfect, but they can walk along with them.

As a coach, help the person to look objectively at their lives. Guide them along to discern things for themselves. Ask “guiding questions” that will help them to have clarity regarding their choices in life.

ENCOURAGER

In the midst of all the discouragement one faces, look for ways to encourage and build up. Be a voice that propels them forward and a flame that ignites them to action.

So many people have desires and dreams that have been dormant for many years. Whenever they shared these with others, they faced discouraging words. You can turn that around with your encouraging words.

RESOURCE PERSON

According to the needs of people, you can be a resource person for those in your group. Don’t respond too quickly or too soon. Listen carefully and hold your response.

Once you have clearly understood their words, their needs, and their goals, you can be a resource person to them. Recommend resources that will help them to accomplish their goals and live out their purpose in life.

Last week we began a series entitled Four Roles of a Small Group Leader. This is the second post in this series, Small Group Leader as Shepherd. For the rest of the articles, you can search “Small Groups” in the categories on the right hand column of the blog.

Four Roles of a Small Group Leader

1. Facilitator – Meetings

2. Shepherd – Care

3. Mentor – Training

4. Leader – Vision

As a shepherd, the leader ensures that all the members of the group are cared for. In a world where virtual connections are more common than personal connection, the leader needs to take a personal approach.

As we take the necessary steps to care for people, here are three important things to keep in mind.

1. Aspects of care

Without fail, we need to provide care in three important aspects of the person’s life. These areas are vital to the person’s overall health, which affects how one relates to the rest of the group. The person’s emotional, spiritual, and physical needs can be cared for so as to bring balance to the person’s life. Keep in mind that the care that you and the small group gives is not the primary care. There are others in their lives who are to give the primary care, and yours is a supplementary role.

Emotional

Weekly meetings and some contact outside the group meetings will provide some support for the emotions of people. Many are lonely and looking for meaningful connections. The members of the small group can be a means for healthy and meaningful connections.

Spiritual

The spiritual life of each person is both personal and corporate. The motivation to connect with God and His people contribute greatly to the spiritual health of the individual. Outreach done through the Group and individually will be vital to the spiritual development of each member.

Physical

When people go through crisis or when there are some common needs, the Group can reach out in care to provide for the person or members of the group who are in need. Certainly the Small Group cannot provide all the person’s needs, but in special cases where there are urgent needs, people can reach out and help others.

2. Levels of Care

As the Small Group functions as a relational “body,” care can be provided at two levels.

Leader to Member

The leader can take the responsibility to reach out to each member on a weekly basis. This point of contact will be a motivation for the person to reach out to the other members as well. The leader can also interact with the people at a more personal level much beyond the meetings.

Among Members (Mutual care)

When the members relate with each other outside of the weekly meetings, that is a clear indicator of a group that is growing healthy. When needs are shared and mutual care is given, meaningful relationships are enhanced.

3. Medium of care

In order of importance, here are some ways to care for people. Try to do at least one of these each week.

Personal Visit

This may be the most difficult one to pull off, and the most meaningful one too. The personal visit could be at their workplace during their break times (if that is appropriate) or to their home.

Phone Call

I see this as a great approach. If I can’t get through, I make sure to leave a brief voicemail if possible.

Email, text message, and other means of communication can also work, but I prefer the phone call whenever possible.

The leader as the Shepherd provides care, but more importantly ensures that care is given. In other words, make sure to develop a culture of mutual care among the members. Of Course, this begins with the leader.