I think one of the biggest killer, if not the greatest killer, in small groups is lack of creativity. For groups who have been together for 2 months or 2 years, it can be a killer-to month after month-try and have some new fresh and creative approach on how to make small group happen. Creativity is a big and scary word for most leaders, because they don;t think they have it! Fact is, we have all had it from day one! Where we not created in God's image? Is he not the Creator of creativity. In case you missed it, Genesis 1 is a great place to pick up and see some of God's best work in creativity to date! I recently read an article on creativity, and thought how appropriate some of the simple disciplines can be acquired by our leadership to make groups greater! Carlos Whitaker, a creative coach, and artist uses 3 words to spurn creativity. Here are his words: and my thoughts on these:
INNOVATE- Something new doesn't mean cool. Most of the things we see today are a re-vamped version of something from the passed anyway. Innovation can come in simple yet subtle changes to current practices or routines. Study in a different place. Take a new route to work. Order a different drink at your coffeehouse. Try and branch out or stretch your mind.
EXPLORE- Set a scheduled time to break what you are currently working on and log ideas on paper as they come to you. This may be regarding scripture, an activity, a group adventure, or even a group growth plan. Make it a habit to explore when thinking about small group time. This will help filter your ideas and you will come up with lists of ideas, as opposed to coming up with ideas with another 10 people trying to shoot down spontaneous ones.
DISTURB & DISRUPT- It can be hard to disturb and disrupt Christ followers who are so set on routine. What if you messed the whole small group night up by eating at the end, or singing, or splitting the group up into smaller groups, something out of routine. Disturb and disrupting an entire night is part of the creative process. You want your group to look different then disturb and disrupt. Old ideas are so 2010, so this year as we embark on 2011-come up with new ways to utilize your time and prep for small group life.
Creativity is a God-given gift that most people are unaware they possess. I think that creativity is the way to go in making Small Group Life exciting, unpredictable, and a magnet for growth in all ways possible.
Take some time and make creativity a apart of the process when thinking small groups. If not, stale small groups will mold over and rot away.
