Return to the Apprenticeship Training Plan.
Read this first
Most people assume community group leadership is inherently lonely, but lonely community group leadership is not sustainable leadership. Scripture describes being saved out of the world as simultaneously being saved into a family. All of us have been given spiritual gifts to build each other up, but none of us have been given all the gifts. Because Jesus has designed the Church to function interdependently, we are committed to team ministry at Frontline. When leaders feel weary, overwhelmed, and lonely, they tend to think “It’ll be easier if I just do it myself.” Counter-intuitively, a large part of leadership is learning to ask for help, give up control, and share the load. We might go faster alone, but we’ll go farther together. Team ministry moves far slower, but it’s far more sustainable.
Ask for help. Identify others’ gifting and energy in the areas of planning, hosting, communication, and facilitation. Invite them in. Give up control in order to gain help. Don't get discouraged when their help doesn't meet your standards the first time around. Gently and calmly give them direct and immediate feedback, and watch them grow in using their gifts to support you and bless the group.
Healthy community group leaders aren’t Lone Rangers who do everything themselves. Instead, they constantly think and preach “team,” and work alongside others to help their group grow in maturity. Rather than taking on every role within their group, they delegate tasks and call others to relate to the group like owners, not renters. They also welcome and seek out coaching, advice, and soul care from their hub leaders.
Then complete the following assignments
Read or listen (on Spotify or Apple Podcasts) to Part 2 (audiobook chpts. 4, 5, 6, and 7) of the Community Group Handbook.
Read "Ch. 6: Mine to Ours," from Leading Small Groups that Thrive: Five Shifts to Take Your Group to the Next Level, by Ryan T. Hartwig, Courtney W. Davis, and Jason A. Sniff.
Complete the following online reflection exercise and forward the results from your inbox to your community group leader or hub leader. Let the following document guide you as you work through the "Delegation Exercise" portion of the online self-reflection.
Follow up with your community group leader or hub leader to talk through your responses in person.