Empowerment Leadership Model for Small Groups, Teams, & Families
Lesson 1/2
________________
Working Definition of a Successful Group
Note: Whenever "group" or "team" is used, it can mean "group", "team", or "family".
___________________________________________________________________________________________
A successful group is an identifiable collection of people who know why and how they need each other to accomplish a common purpose to which they are committed.
1
an identifiable collection of people
people need to know who is in the group
2
who know why and how they need each other
members must understand clearly how to work successfully as a group
3
to accomplish a common purpose
the group must know what important thing it is trying to do and stay focused
4
to which they are committed
members must work on the desired purpose with dedication when together
_______________________________________
an identifiable collection of people
people need to know who is in the group
2
who know why and how they need each other
members must understand clearly how to work successfully as a group
3
to accomplish a common purpose
the group must know what important thing it is trying to do and stay focused
4
to which they are committed
members must work on the desired purpose with dedication when together
_______________________________________
A collection of people is merely that – a collection of people. They can become a truly functional, highly successful small group only if they
(1) have a common purpose,
(2) know how and why they need each other to accomplish that purpose and
(3) have committed themselves to the small group to accomplish that particular purpose.
A collection of people can become an effective organism that we are calling a true, living group or team.
To avoid being a mere collection of people that gets only a little done, people in a small group or on a team must have an important purpose they want to accomplish. That purpose is something group members must commit to work TOGETHER at accomplishing. And the more that they understand their need of each other to accomplish their purpose, the more a small group will be effective.
Unfortunately, it is very easy to give only lip service to our need for one another. Yet, our need for one another in small group or team or family efforts goes far deeper than we even imagine. With a clear understanding of mutual need, members will prioritize cooperation, unity and small group activities over "me-centered" interests and desires. This alone will quadruple group output and success.
What if the group you want to join is a collection of people from your church who want to present effectively the gospel of Jesus Christ to the neighbors two houses on either side of each of your homes? Isn't this an individual task? If it is, you don't need to gather in such a group. But, since this is not already being done, it is probably a challenge for a small group rather than an individual. But you will not be a group until you can see how and why you will need each other to do this. You will become a true group if you see that to help one another reach all of these neighbors, the four households -- two on the right and two on the left of each small group member, you will need to encourage one another, give ideas, pray for each other, and probably go with one another or hold bar-b-ques in each other's back yards – whatever.
You might think it normal for a family to automatically be effective. However, most families do not adopt a clear purpose, such as "to help one another enjoy life and be all that the Lord wants as individuals and as a family." Family members need each other in a lot of ways that families do not identify, so family members and the family as a whole does very little helping in light of what could be done. And, it is a mistake for families to think that every member is committed to every other member without that being a conscious decision.
(1) have a common purpose,
(2) know how and why they need each other to accomplish that purpose and
(3) have committed themselves to the small group to accomplish that particular purpose.
A collection of people can become an effective organism that we are calling a true, living group or team.
To avoid being a mere collection of people that gets only a little done, people in a small group or on a team must have an important purpose they want to accomplish. That purpose is something group members must commit to work TOGETHER at accomplishing. And the more that they understand their need of each other to accomplish their purpose, the more a small group will be effective.
Unfortunately, it is very easy to give only lip service to our need for one another. Yet, our need for one another in small group or team or family efforts goes far deeper than we even imagine. With a clear understanding of mutual need, members will prioritize cooperation, unity and small group activities over "me-centered" interests and desires. This alone will quadruple group output and success.
What if the group you want to join is a collection of people from your church who want to present effectively the gospel of Jesus Christ to the neighbors two houses on either side of each of your homes? Isn't this an individual task? If it is, you don't need to gather in such a group. But, since this is not already being done, it is probably a challenge for a small group rather than an individual. But you will not be a group until you can see how and why you will need each other to do this. You will become a true group if you see that to help one another reach all of these neighbors, the four households -- two on the right and two on the left of each small group member, you will need to encourage one another, give ideas, pray for each other, and probably go with one another or hold bar-b-ques in each other's back yards – whatever.
You might think it normal for a family to automatically be effective. However, most families do not adopt a clear purpose, such as "to help one another enjoy life and be all that the Lord wants as individuals and as a family." Family members need each other in a lot of ways that families do not identify, so family members and the family as a whole does very little helping in light of what could be done. And, it is a mistake for families to think that every member is committed to every other member without that being a conscious decision.
Next, we will look at what it means to lead the group, team, or family "as a whole", which is so essential to building a strong group, team or family.
click here