Vibrant and vital Small Group Ministry depends on developing and maintaining healthy practices learned from the experiences of dozens of congregations:

Clear Mission

• Faith development is a primary purpose of Small Group Ministry
• Developing deep listening and communication skills is another important purpose
• Deepening relationships and fostering community is an additional purpose

Clear Boundaries

• Relationship should be mutual, balancing giving and receiving
• Use a circle format where everyone has a chance to share and be understood
• Avoid offering unsolicited advice
• Hold confidentiality: Share the learning, not the stories of others
• Avoid over-sharing: These are not therapy groups

Helpful Small Group Dynamics

• Groups should be no fewer than 6 and no more than 10 participants
• Meet at least monthly, in a place where others can't listen in (a members home or a room at the church building)
• Group members should commit to attend regularly
• Groups should develop and keep a covenant

Helpful SGM Program Dynamics

• Groups should have a clear accountability to the church's mission and leadership.
• Have each group keep an empty chair in the circle to signal the openness to new members.
• Provide opportunities for new groups for new friends and members to join new or existing, open groups.
• Provide opportunities for existing groups to dissolve gracefully (e.g. at the end of the church year).

Trained and Supported Leaders

• SGM facilitators should be members of the congregation.
• Pair facilitators for training, support and redundancy
• SGM should have some pastoral care training and be in communication with the lay pastoral care team and/or the minister when a need arises.
• Meet regularly for care and guidance with SGM Program leadership