Revitalize Your Congregation With Small Group Ministry

Part of Membership and Belonging

By Kathy McGowan

Transcript Of Revitalize Your Congregation With Small Group Ministry (DOCX)

Key Points

  • There are three key ingredients in a vibrant congregational life:
  1. Unitarian Universalist identity
  2. Spiritual depth at all levels
  3. A spirit of generosity.
  • A healthy Small Group Ministry (SGM) includes all three.
  • SGM reinforces the key values of Unitarian Universalism and therefore expands our collective identity
  • The small size of the individual groups helps people to build meaningful relationships with one another.
  • Members develop deep listening skills
  • SGM creates a deeper sense of community
  • SGM creates a culture of generosity and inclusion
    • the practice of the “open chair” (groups being open to new members) is a spiritual practice of inclusion
    • requiring a service component helps remind members that they are part of something much greater than ourselves

Resources

votive candles arranged in the shape of a heart

Facilitator TrainingsSmall Group Ministry, Adult Religious Education and Mosaic Anti-Racism Curricula

From LeaderLab

Adult faith development often happens in peer-facilitated classes, programs, and small group ministry. These facilitator trainings can help get leaders started!

Facilitator Trainings