Recently at a YOU Lead women’s leadership training, we had a panel of leaders answering questions submitted by attendees. Several past and upcoming posts address those and try to help answer them.
Today’s question: What suggestions do you have to help small group leaders be warm, welcoming, connecting women?
One thing is sure, if we aren’t welcoming and warm, many women will never return. So here are some tips (Transformed Lives has a chapter on Small Group Skills that has more ideas.)
· Play music to set tone
· Bring food! Food always gets conversation started. (And it says you care.)
· Brew coffee. Even those who don’t drink it, normally enjoy the aroma.
· Burn a great smelling candle.
· Have a greeter at the door to welcome women in. Do it each week, not just at the first meeting.
· Assign responsibilities to different women who attend. That gives them “purpose” in being a part of the group and helps them feel needed and accountable.
· Ask about their week and share about yours.
· Keep confidences shared in the group. (Set up this as a guideline for all participants.
· Share personal stories that relate to the study that week.
· Email, text, Facebook or Twitter your class during the week to let them know you are praying for them. If they requested a specific prayer, follow up with them.
· Pair two participants up to pray for each other for a week, month, or for the entire length of the study.
What other ideas do you have for building a warm and connecting atmosphere in your small group?
Resources:
Women Reaching Women
Transformed Lives