One of the things I'm working on right now is the initial stages of small group ministry here at Concordia. We believe that it will be a vital part of the next season of our ministry work here, and we're putting the plans in place. One of the keys to small group ministry is group leadership. Without it, groups become cliques and growth is lost. So one of the things that I am praying about now is that God would raise up people who will lead groups.

Which prompts me to ask, are you a leader?

Many of you will say no. You see people like our staff members who get up in front of people and speak or sing or whatever, and you think "I could never do that". Well, maybe you're right. But that doesn't mean you are not a leader, because that's a very small slice of the leadership pie.

mmm...pie...

Sorry. Got distracted.

I love John Maxwell's definition of leadership. It's very simple: "leadership is influence". That's it. If you have influence in a certain circle of people, you're a leader. Titles, positions, and business cards don't make leaders (at least not effective ones). Influence does. And I would argue that, in some way, everyone is a leader. It is very rare to find someone who has no influence over someone else at all. We may not all have visible leadership roles or skills; we may not all be really strong leaders; but most everyone leads in some way at some point in their lives.

As Christians, we know that leadership is also grounded in service. Leaders lead not by bullying, being the loudest voice, or having the most money. We lead by serving (Mark 10:42-45) and being faithful in any role whether big or small (Romans 12:4-8). (And that also fits well with Maxwell's definition, since influence is earned by authenticity and integrity in serving, and not in entitlement or power.)

And so I ask, are you a leader?

As we develop the plans for small groups, some of you will become small group leaders. And I would love for you to starting thinking and praying about whether you might be one of them.

What's required of a small group leader? Well, the specifics will look different for every group. But it will not involve 12 people sitting in a circle in your living room looking at you to explain the Bible to them (unless that's your gift!). Our groups will be very organic - some may be location-based, some may be affinity-(common interest)-based, some may be need-based; there will be many types of groups that meet for different purposes and seasons. But all groups will have a few things in common:

1. They will be a small group of people (no more than 12) doing life together.
2. They will grow intentionally by developing new groups, not getting bigger as one group. (They will multiply, not add.)
3. They will exist both for doing life together (caring for one another, supporting one another, praying and playing together, etc.) and for serving our community and beyond.
4. They will have a leader (and eventually a leader-in-development, ready to lead into a new group).

I've talked to a lot of people over the years who are put off by this word "leader". A most common response to a leadership challenge is: "I'll help, but I'm not sure I'm the best one to lead". Let me be bold: you probably are. Maybe not right away and maybe not if you don't receive any help and support along the way. But that's part of what my role is in all of this - to help and support.

If this thought intrigues you or makes you go, "hmmm...I'd like to find out more", let me know. Comment below, or email or call me (office: 250-492-5902), and let's talk more. I'll buy you coffee, and we'll explore together this scary thing called leadership.