Top 10 Reasons Every Small Group Needs A Leadership Team

Why do we need a Leadership Team?
by Elaine Brammer

At Washington Cathedral, each small group is led by a Leadership Team, not an individual or one couple. The team has three positions, which can be filled with individuals or couples: leader, assistant (or sometimes two co-leaders), and host. It is important for each of us to recognize the purpose of the leadership team, so here we go:

TOP TEN REASONS WHY EACH SMALL GROUP SHOULD HAVE A LEADERSHIP TEAM:

10. Accountability – We all need fellow believers to keep us accountable in our actions as leaders.
9. Success – Small Group history at Washington Cathedral tells us that Small Groups with fully functioning leadership teams have the greatest chance of long-term success.
8. Burn-out – There are many jobs inherent in the Small Group – praise time, leading prayer, facilitating the study time, attendance reports, finding new people to invite, following up with absent members, supporting members through difficult times, refreshments, babysitting, providing an inviting location to meet, greeting members as they come in, etc. Leaders who try to do it all themselves have a much greater chance of burn-out than those who share the leadership responsibilities.
7. Individual Growth – More fellow believers are given a chance to grow in their ability to service others.
6. Program Growth – By growing more leaders in the church, we can grow the number of small groups so we can serve a greater portion of our attenders.
5. Continuation – When a leader has a life situation (a move, career challenges, family issues, etc.) that forces him/her to move out of Small Group leadership, the remaining part of the team can provide the continuity to keep the Small Group healthy.
4. Attendance – Even if no one else shows up but the leadership team, you have AT LEAST 3 – 6 people there.
3. Quality – A leader who is part of a team will be able to devote more time to their assigned tasks and do a better job of their Small Group responsibilities.
2. Ideas – Six heads are better than one to come up with fresh ideas of how to keep your Small Group active and interesting, whether that includes group activities, curriculum decisions, or any decision regarding direction of your Small Group.
1. Survival – When your job sends you out of town, or your child is throwing up, or you are throwing up, or all three at once – you have someone to call to shoulder your Small Group responsibilities until you are back on your feet. At Washington Cathedral no one stands alone, and that includes Small Groups!