Hurston Ministries - Inclusive Groups

THE "INCLUSIVE" APPROACH
TO A GROUP SYSTEM

THE GUIDING FOCUS in any consult is the vision and desire of the senior pastor. If a pastor desires an "inclusive" approach, which includes a wide diversity of groups—ranging from Sunday School classes, to choir and orchestra, to home groups, to ushers and greeters—the following steps apply. An inclusive approach works best in a church that already has many groupings (as well as existing home groups, or intention to further develop them), and can be a move toward further development of a "cell church" in the future. There are two advantages to an inclusive approach:

EQUAL HONOR When one gives honor and recognition to each type of leader, he is not putting sole focus on a single type group. When one gives total focus and recognition to a single type group, he can unintentionally plant seeds of dishonor to leaders of other types of groups. This also honors the efforts of all pastoral staff members as well.
UNIFORM TRAINING Since all leaders of all groups/ings are honored and recognized, the church then can begin uniform training to all leaders—with leaders of a specialized type group receiving further instruction. This approach allows the pastor to speak into the lives of all the type leaders. Usually the three main points needing further emphasis in this uniform training:

(1) Relationships: The further development of caring relationships and follow-up to visitors;
(2) Greater spiritual focus: A greater focus on the Word and prayer for one another's needs, especially in more task-oriented groups like ushers/greeters, music-related groups, dance classes, etc.
(3) Friendship evangelism: Friendship evangelism, with inviting and including others in one's group

TIME NEEDED

The full approach outlined on the following pages requires a minimum of four weeks, and can take up to six weeks. If less time is available, an abbreviated number of steps can be taken. For example, if needs and preferences are clearly known, then the first step involving a survey can be omitted.

OVERVIEW OF BASIC STEPS

STEP ONE: ASSESS DEMOGRAPHICS, NEED AND PREFERENCES OF CONGREGATION
STEP TWO: INFORMATIONAL MEETINGS
STEP THREE: INTERVIEW AND ASSESS INDIVIDUAL STAFF ROLES
STEP FOUR: "PAIRING AND TEAMING" MEETINGS
STEP FIVE: MAIL INVITATIONS AND LEADERSHIP APPLICATIONS
STEP SIX: PREPARE TRAINING SESSION OUTLINE, TRAINING NOTES, AND RESOURCE MANUALS
STEP SEVEN: TRAINING EVENT
STEP EIGHT: SUPER "SIGN UP" SUNDAY
STEP NINE: FOLLOW-UP

Basic step details