Kristen’s Interview Notes:

  • Share a little bit about yourself - Where do you serve & what do you do.

    • Kiersten – National Community church 

  • Why are you passionate about small groups?

    • The most passionate about small groups because we cannot live without community- we were designed for community- this pandemic has even also proven all the reasons we need community (stats say throughout all of this covid season 71% are angry; 66% are fearful; 1/3 of the people in the US are anxious…) 

    • Why churches should incorporate them?

  • Covid 19 & Online Groups, How have you all pivoted and how has it worked?

    • Alpha – worked incredible (though I will say a complete online group has had way more success than a part in person and part online..) 

  • What are some ways to do groups online well and keep it engaging?

    • Formats or styles to avoid online?

    • Ice breakers- fun online games- Alphabet 

    • Don’t make it too long

    • Build in sharing discussion times/ not a monologue 

  • Talking about end goal, be it friendships, community, discipleship, what kind of mindset should we have in our groups? 

    • (Leading to multiplication and leadership development)

    • What are some easy ways to help others discover their potential?

    • The first thing is to have a vision and goal for your group- we encourage allof our group leaders to have specific goals going into the semester so that they can be intentional with meeting those goals 

    • Goals don’t have to be numeric- they can be becoming more vulnerable, serving together, etc. 

    • Secondly- invite people into various roles- even if they aren’t the group leader, have someone be in charge of food- if it is online have them lead icebreakers, etc. The more people you can disciple with- the greater chance ethey are discovering and operating in giftst they have 

  • How would you say to the person who’s struggling grow their group?

    • This season is about 80% care and 20% growth… whereas pre-covid, it may have been 80% growth and 20% care… 

    • Giving yourself grace and people around you- this is an unusual season where we are all experiencing a form of collective grief- we all have lost something since March of this year- whether it is a vacation that was planned- had covid and our health, etc. everyone is carrying a burden in this season so giving grace to each other and just asking God each day- what are you asking me to do in this season? (what is that one next step, not my five year plan)

    • What are some ways or best practices to getting sign ups?

    • Through relationships- having conversations about your group- if your group is meeting online- even shortening your group online but make it more consistent or frequent (2 hr group every othere week to 1hr group each week, etc.)

  • Questions you often get? Or topics you’d like to add?

    • Re-emphasizing in this season to do it all online or all in person- the mixed methods 

    • The more you can cast vision in this season and point them to Jesus- the more people will be able to have a focus to work towards- to have something to hold onto.