Small groups are a key part of your church culture. Sunday morning is a valuable time to gather and worship as one, but during such a busy service, it can be hard for people to make deep, personal connections.
This is where small groups fill a necessary role. In this smaller, more intimate setting, it’s easier to keep everyone engaged and ensure that no one goes unnoticed.
According to Lifeway Research, churchgoers who participate in small groups or classes are more likely to develop meaningful, significant relationships within their church. But despite their clear importance, only about 2 in 5 churchgoers participate in small groups. This could be due to a variety of factors, such as not knowing how to get plugged into a group, feeling anxious about showing up to a new setting or someone’s home, or simply a lack of small group promotion.
When you make your small groups more accessible and effective, you increase attendance, and when you increase attendance, you boost overall church engagement. That’s why we’re sharing 6 steps you can take to improve small groups at your church:
1) Remove barriers to sign up.
This goes beyond announcing groups from the pulpit or providing a link on your website. While these are important, many people aren’t ready to commit the same day they first hear about groups.
In a world where most things are available through a few taps on your smartphone, it’s important to remove any barriers that might cause friction in the sign-up process. It’s a big social step for someone to alter their routine, and we want to do whatever we can to avoid decreasing their motivation to get involved. You can take steps to decrease friction both in person and online.
At your church service, make sure friendly faces are ready to answer questions and even help people get signed up on the spot.
Digitally, promote your small groups through your app and website, making it easy for church members to explore their options, find the right fit, and register right away. Clear group descriptions and simple sign-up tools can go a long way in helping people take that next step.
You can also create additional touchpoints by highlighting small groups on social media and through email—always including a clear, easy next step for when someone is ready to join.
Need help? One Church Software’s Groups module makes online promotion effortless. Plus, our communication capabilities can help you send targeted messages to the right folks—ensuring you don’t flood the inboxes of your elderly church members with youth group invitations.
2) Let people know what to expect.
Even if you are familiar with church small groups, entering into a social situation where you only know 1-2 people can be stressful. Additionally, groups have the potential to be hosted at someone’s home or within the church building. Unfamiliar locations can cause an even greater friction point for those wanting to engage in community.
You can help alleviate these stress points by reducing the unknowns and clearly communicating what each group experience looks like. While every group is different, offering a simple overview—like whether there’s a shared meal, time to connect, or a structured Bible study—helps people feel more prepared and confident walking in.
An app, such as My One Church App, that allows group members to access shared resources in advance is a great tool for cutting down on confusion. Group members can review the discussion questions or Bible passages in advance to feel more prepared for group time. The ability to host discussions on the app also allows new members to familiarize themselves with the other members before meeting in-person.
3) Cater to different needs.
Consider offering a few groups tailored to specific life stages—and then think through what needs you can meet for those groups. For example, parents with young children are far more likely to attend if they know childcare will be provided, giving them peace of mind in a new environment. Meanwhile, young professionals may be more inclined to join a group that meets after work and creates space to connect with others navigating similar seasons of life.
If you’re unsure what to offer, consider surveying your congregation to better understand the demographics and life stages represented in your church. Some churches also choose to organize groups by geography, making it easier for people to build community with those in their own neighborhoods.
Finally, remember that not everyone can meet at the same time. Offering small groups on a variety of days and times helps make space for the full rhythm of life within your church community.
4) Provide training for group leaders.
Many group leaders are simply the people who were generously willing to step up to the role of facilitator and host. But most have never received formal training for leadership. By offering training, you can ensure that leaders have the necessary tools to lead well.
“Churches with comprehensive guidelines on planning and conducting small group meetings lead to more effective groups and to leaders who are not confused or overwhelmed,” according to RightNow Media.
Formal training for all small group leaders can also help set clear expectations for your members, especially when there is consistency in how groups are generally structured and led.
These training sessions are a great time to show leaders how to reserve space at the church for their groups. With One Church Software’s Rooms & Resources feature, small group leaders can easily request rooms and even specify the resources they need—down to the number of chairs.
5) Participate in local service projects.
Small groups are about more than just studying God’s Word together. They’re also an opportunity to serve the local community with one another. The bond between group members is strengthened when you partake in the shared mission of serving and encouraging others as a part of your group time.
Take a look at some ministries in your area and opportunities for your groups to volunteer.
An added bonus of this approach is that a service project can be a less intimidating activity for new people to get to know each other and assimilate into the group.
6) Track group attendance.
Attendance is a key metric you should be familiar with in order to keep a finger on the pulse of the health and engagement of your church’s groups.
Through tracking group attendance, you can answer the questions:
How long do people typically stay in a group?
How often do they attend?
Are there certain groups that are outside the “norm” of the rest of your groups?
Once you regularly track these metrics, you can then see what’s working and what’s not. This will help you identify practical steps to be more effective in your ministry.
Small groups are a pillar of the church and one of the primary ways people build meaningful relationships and grow in community. That’s why it’s so important to ensure they’re supported and set up to thrive.
If you’re ready to take your small groups to the next level, One Church Software offers an all-in-one solution designed to simplify and strengthen the experience.
In one easy app, small group leaders can track attendance, share materials with members, reserve space, and more. Ready to give your church members a more connected, seamless small group experience? Book a demo to see how One Church Software can help your church or try a FREE 30-Day Trial.
