What’s going on in Hillside’s Small Group Ministry?

Don’t miss Connect, our Small Group Leader meeting coming up on April 27 at 5:00 p.m. in Room 405. If you have any apprentice leaders in your group, bring them with you to connect with the staff, discuss small group issues and preview curriculum. RSVP to Judy at 457-4946 or judy.lynch@hillsidewired.com.

We are currently training future leaders to start groups in the summer or fall. We will add 3 new couples groups and a Professional Women’s group. If you know anyone who would make a great group leader, call us (457-4996) with their names. We are always in need of new group leaders.

Do you have a cool story about how your group has impacted someone? Email or call. Our staff wants to hear your stories!

The Towers’ Got Kids small group is famous for their acts of service. This Easter, they spent the day hiding eggs for the kids at the battered women’s shelter. According to Rick Towers, the kids had fun, but it was the moms who felt the impact. They were touched that someone would take time out of their own family holiday to spend it with them in such a fun and loving way. Way to go, Got Kids!

At the end of summer or early fall, we will host GroupLink, an event to help people easily get into small groups. It will be unlike previous events, so keep your eyes open!

Don’t forget to check the blog periodically for suggested curriculum and event information at www.hillsidegroups.blogspot.com.

You can contact Kris at kris.collins@hillsidewired.com or Judy at judy.lynch@hillsidewired.com or call us at 457-4946.

And remember – We want to see you at Connect, our Small Group Leader meeting coming up on April 27 at 5:00 p.m. in Room 405.

Avoiding Leader Burnout

Do you feel overly responsible for your group? Are you the only one that everyone runs to when they need prayer, care, spiritual advice, affirmation and or simply information on the best restaurant in town? Sure, you’re the group leader. You carry some responsibility for the group. But are you taking on too much responsibility?

Delegation is one way to avoid leader burnout. Everyone in your group can share some of the responsibility of leadership in small ways. One member can bring snacks. One or two can be responsible for care and prayer. One can alternate leading the group with you. One can arrange childcare. Everyone can help out and take some of the burden off of your shoulders – if you let them.

Are you taking time out for yourself? Everyone needs time to refuel. Take a walk. Go on a date. Play with your kids. Get a massage. Allow yourself to do something fun!

Spend time in prayer and reading the Bible – not just time preparing for your group. We commune with others in small groups and it fills us up socially. God also wants to commune with us and fill us up spiritually. Take time to listen to him, sing with him, smile for him and talk to him!

If you realize that you are on the verge of leader burnout, maybe at the point that you don’t want to lead anymore, call us at 457-4946. We are here to support you and help you avoid burnout.

The "Real" Simple Life

I went to Chicago this week for a training session on Small Groups. One of the speakers said a friend once told him , "Someone has convinced you that unless it's hard, it doesn't count." Meaning, if something isn't a big enough challenge, then you think it lacks value.

Do we take the same approach to Small Group leadership? Do we try to make it harder than it really is? Do we think that if we add a longer study, fancier food or flowery prayers that it will make our groups more valuable?

Small Groups are not so much about how much scripture we can memorize together as they are about how our lives are changed in biblical community. Life change occurs when the group gets real together. With honest discussion and a commitment from everyone to be themselves, soon people's true joys, hurts, passions and emotions surface and walls are broken down.

One of our goals as Group Leaders is to foster an environment where people feel safe to talk openly. We model authenticity by being "real" to the group. Whether that means confessing a sin, admitting a failure, or apologizing for an offense, it models authenticity and, hopefully, eventually, life change.

Because simply being "real" is a valuable aspect of group life, this month's recommended resources are The Real Deal: Discover the Rewards of Authentic Relationships, or Authenticity: Being Honest with God and Others. Both are 6-session small group studies. Order them from the Vine or go online to http://www.zondervan.com/ and search for The Real Deal.

And remember, Group Leaders get their materials for free when they order them through the church!

Welcome, Hillside Group Leaders!

HCC Small Group Leaders, do you know how valuable you are? We hear wonderful things about your groups, such as how close-knit you've become, how you support each other and how people have grown through their involvement in your group. Thank you for devoting your time and dedication to this powerful ministry.

I believe that in your leadership, you encourage what was said in Romans 12:15: "Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn." Small Groups are all about walking through life together, through good times and bad. Keep up the good but hard work of encouraging your groups!

Bookmark this site and subscribe to the posts. Then you will receive emails when we update the site. And be sure to let me know if you see any errors or want to give feedback. Thank you!

Kris Collins
Small Groups Coordinator