How can you tell that your small group is maturing?

Two characteristics reveal a maturing, healthy group: shared leadership and mutual responsibility.

When group members begin to invest their time, gifts and abilities in the life of the group, the entire group moves to a new level of functioning. Group life becomes richer, and group members grow in their commitment to the group.

No longer completely dependent on one leader, small group members start to depend on one another. As this happens, the bond of community grows deeper.

Small group experts, Dr. Henry Cloud and Bill Donahue, continue the monthly Groups That Grow series on CCN by giving leaders practical tools for moving their groups towards greater commitment and responsibility.

Small group leaders will learn how to:

• Create opportunities for shared leadership and involvement
• Assess the gifts of the group members
• Pass along the leadership
• Provide helpful training and feedback
• Delegate responsibilities which fit each group member

What are the advantages?

• Group leaders avoid burn-out
• Group members grow in their faith and abilities
• The Body of Christ functions as it was designed!

Help your groups make the shift to maturity, as together you discover the joys of Sharing the Leadership Load.

Bill Donahue is the Executive Director of Small Group Ministries for the Willow Creek Association. He is the author of Leading Life-Changing Small Groups, and with Russ Robinson, the coauthor of The 7 Deadly Sins of Small Group Ministry, Building a Church of Small Groups, and Walking the Small Group Tightrope. Bill teaches at several seminaries and has written and edited many small group studies, including the Interactions Series, the New Community Series and the Bible 101 Series.

Dr. Henry Cloud is a clinical psychologist, international speaker, and best-selling author. He is the co-host of the nationally broadcast “New Life Live” radio program. He co-founded the Minirth-Meier Clinic West and served with Dr. John Townsend as the clinic's co-director for nine years. Dr. Cloud is the author of Changes That Heal. With Dr. Townsend, he co-authored the best selling Boundaries series, How People Grow, Safe People, and What to Do When You Don't Know What to Do.