Interested in Serving? Think like a Middle Schooler!
Small Group Leader
Two small group leaders connect relationally a small group of students to build relationships and celebrate spiritual growth. The relationship between leaders and students is strengthened through contact on Sundays as well as outside of Sunday mornings at Powerhouse sponsored events, group outings, and regular contact (calls, text, and emails). The small group experience is the cornerstone of middle school ministry!
Host Team
Members of this team make first impression by welcoming each new student and their family, guiding them through registration, and advising them to Sunday’s schedule. The Host team member will also help to insure the safety and well being of our students and leaders by monitoring behavior in large group
Small Group Leader Description
Often people think they are not qualified to lead a group of students. Let us be the first to dispel that myth! In order to serve in our ministry, here are the requirements:
Qualifications
* Be a member of ABT or in the process of Membership
* Be in a growing relationship with Jesus Christ
* Demonstrate a passion for students
* Commit to being a consistent powerful force in the lives of your students
* Lead a lifestyle that is committed to Biblical standards
Expectations
* Attend Powerhouse weekly
* Commit to a year with your students
* Connect with your students on a regular basis outside of church
* Be available to walk through difficult situations with your students
* Exhibit a balanced approach to leadership
* Be a facilitator; you are not a teacher and small group is not a class
Benefits
* An opportunity to share your faith and growth.
* More fun than you ever thought was possible
* A lifetime of influence in the lives of students
The 5 Essentials of a Small Group Leader
Keeping these principles in mind will guarantee your success as a Small Group Leader!
It’s a journey
It’s a journey is the essential that describes a pace at which we encourage our leaders to travel alongside their students. Building relationships requires not only an investment of care, but of time. As a leader , it is vital to view your role in the lives of your group as a marathon, not as a sprint. Once you have won the heart of a student, you can leverage that relationship into invaluable influence. This takes time.
Time on their turf
Time on their turf encourages leaders to meet students where they are at. If we were to put this essential into an equation format, it’d look like this: 1 day on “their turf”= 10 Sundays in small group. Their turf is an environment that is personal to a student. For example, their basketball game, their piano recital, their favorite mall or movie theater. Actions speak louder than words. It makes sense that simply showing up speaks volumes to your student of your commitment to do life with them. Doing so creates trust, accelerates community, and builds common ground between you and them.
Partner with Parents
Partnering with parents is the essential that demonstrates to leaders the value of connecting with the adults in your student’s lives, and in keeping them involved and informed regardless of what we think of a student’s parents, they are the Biblical authority in their life. As a small group leader, it is your job to encourage this relationship by whatever means possible. Just as you are nor parentally responsible for a student, you are also not responsible for the student’s spiritual development. That’s a job for Mom or Dad; however, while the weight of their faith is not on your shoulders , God has chosen you as a person who can encourage, guide, and model His love and will in their lives.
Keep it Real
Being real highlights the importance of a leader staying true to themselves. Just be you! Being honest and real can be difficult in any environment and student ministry is no different. It’s going to be intimidating at times, but simply being who you are is vital to the groups success. Saying “I don’t know” is not a sign of failure, but honesty and vulnerability. When your students see you being open in this way, they’re more likely to do the same. Remember being who you are gives your students permission to be who they are. And that is the heart of small groups, isn’t it?
Power-up first
Power-up first, the most vital of our five essentials, instructs leaders to prioritize their own personal relationship with Jesus over anything and everything. If you aren’t growing in your faith relationship, it isn’t likely you’ll be proficient or equipped to lead others in this way. Effective small group leading means to do so out of an overflow of your love, faith, and discipleship.
Next Steps
* Come by Powerhouse and check out our ministry
* Fill out Kid Safe Packet @ info station
* Schedule a meeting with Pastor Jay right here