We wanted to see what was happening behind the scenes. Megachurches can be useful places to observe ideas and practices that we can learn from.

One of their small-group pastors—they had five on staff—told us that 93% of new people in their church left within a year if they didn’t start serving or join a small group. That was the figure he shared about their church, and it made the importance of connection clear to me.

Groups give people space to build friendships, explore Scripture and belong. To strengthen them, I would share leadership, support pastoral care, involve members and keep the Bible central.

Here are seven practices to work through with your team. For related issues, see my guide to common small-group challenges.

Key Takeaways

• Develop assistant leaders so responsibility is shared.
• Involve people with pastoral gifts in caring for group members.
• Give members useful roles that suit their gifts.
• Keep Scripture and discipleship central to the gathering.
• Support leaders through pastoral visits, coaching and regular promotion of groups.

1. Appoint Assistant Leaders

Assistant leaders play a crucial role in a church’s leadership pipeline. Giving someone responsibility alongside an experienced leader is a practical way to develop emerging leaders.

Not only can a leader share the responsibilities of leading a group, but they can also take opportunities to develop another leader.

The hands-on nature of an assistant’s role means that they learn quicker than if they were in just a training course.

An emerging leader can learn through practice and grow in confidence as they take on responsibility.

2. Appoint Pastoral Care Workers

Some people are excellent at leading meetings but not so good at following up with people.

While others are brilliant at caring for people but not leading meetings. An excellent way around this issue is to appoint pastoral care workers in each group.

This has a couple of immediate benefits.

Firstly, it places pastorally gifted people in a role that suits their gifts and personality.

Secondly, it takes the pressure off the leader of the group to be the pastoral care worker for the entire group.

Of course, another benefit is that it gets another person locked into a role in the group.

3. Give Everyone a Role or Task

Giving people a meaningful way to serve can strengthen their connection to the group.

Your small groups will function better if everyone has a role to play in the group.

Besides the obvious roles of leaders, assistant leaders, hosts, and pastoral care workers you can create roles for other members of the group.

Ask someone to take care of birthdays so that everyone’s special day is celebrated in a meaningful and fun way.

Inspire a couple of people to coordinate prayer for the members of the group.

They can ensure that prayer requests are recorded and circulated as well as interceding for the group and the members.

Ask another group member to be your communications person, reminding people of group meetings and other events in the group.

4. Dig into the Bible

Small groups are excellent for making disciples. I believe it is impossible to disciple people without the Scriptures. Discussing the scriptures should be a central part of any small group.

You can do this through prepared Bible studies or notes from the Sunday service.

Either way, make sure you provide sufficient material for the leader as they may not have enough time to do extensive Bible study themselves.

5. Pastors Should Visit the Groups

There are multiple benefits to a church when a pastor visits the small groups.

The small group leaders are encouraged by the attention they receive from the pastor.

The pastor’s visit creates an opportunity for follow-up coaching and encouragement after they experience the group in action.

Also, the pastor can see the home environment of the host which can tell you many things about the family.

6. Establish Coaches for The Leaders

Small-group leaders need focused support including training and encouragement.

One way to provide this is by establishing coaches for your small group leaders.

Some small group leaders have a high capacity and can coach another leader while running their own group.

Now not all leaders have this capacity but if you see it in a leader release them into this opportunity.

One significant benefit of a coach is that they can deliver ‘just-in-time’ training to a leader. In other words, they are answering the burning questions leaders have as they lead their group.

While generic training is essential, just-in-time training provided by coaches gives essential support at the right time.

7. Profile Your Groups Twice A Year

Profiling your small groups during church services should be done at least twice a year.

Interview leaders and members of the small group.

Preach about your small groups and help your church understand their central role in the life of your church.

During the profiling of your groups give people an opportunity to sign up for a group or renew their commitment to their group.

Make joining clear and straightforward. My four-step small-group pathway looks at how people move from awareness to participation and leadership.

Frequently asked questions about healthy small groups

What should I review when a small group is struggling?

I would work through leadership support, pastoral care, member involvement, Bible discussion and how people join. Start with the area that needs attention rather than changing everything at once.

Does every group leader have to do all the pastoral care?

No. I recommend involving someone with pastoral gifts in the group’s care and follow-up. That shares the responsibility and lets people contribute in an area that suits them.

How can I develop future small-group leaders?

Appoint an assistant and give them opportunities to lead alongside the group leader. Practical responsibilities help them learn while an experienced person is available to encourage them.

What roles can other members take?

Alongside leading and hosting, people can help with birthdays, prayer, communication and pastoral care. These roles give members a practical way to contribute to the group.

How can pastors support small-group leaders?

Visit groups, encourage leaders and arrange coaching where possible. A coach can help a leader with the questions they are facing now, alongside the church’s broader training.