Effective Small Group Leaders

A good prospective small group leader is one who exhibits the following qualities:

• Has a strong desire to experience intimacy in own relationships and a willingness to do the work necessary.
  
• Has a strong desire to provide an environment where hurting people can experience God’s healing and immature people can experience God’s maturing process.
  
• After prayerfully considering own time commitments, life experiences and personal health, senses God’s calling to this ministry.
  
• Is able to create an accepting, non-judgmental environment for those around them.
  
• Has a firm commitment to confidentiality.
  
• Can be transparent and vulnerable about personal struggles without using the group inappropriately to meet own needs.
  
• Is able to empathize with various age groups and life stages.
  
• Is able to trust God to be the changer and healer of others, rather than seeing self as the one who needs to “FIX” others.
  
• Is able to comfort others, i.e., respond to others’ emotions with emotion.