At this weekend’s Small Group Connections we’ll be launching a number of brand new groups.  This will allow us to add to the over 1,000 adults who are already connected at Parkview!  Very cool.

At the same time, there are usually questions about how a Connection works and whether it might be a source of new members.  Here are the most common questions:

• What is the purpose of a Connection? Basically, a Connection is an hour long event that is designed to launch new groups.  Connection attendees are sorted out by affinity (geography, life stage, type of group, etc.) and then led through a process that helps them connect with a group of adults looking for community.
• Is there a way for me to use the Connection to find new members? The Connection process is not designed that way.  We will do everything we can to help Connection attendees get connected into a new group the day of the Connection.  At the same time, some who sign up will not attend and some who attend will not find a perfect fit.  We’ll do everything we can to help these people connect with an existing group.
• If I can’t use the Connection to find new members, how can I find a few new members? The simple answer is to make it a group project.  That is, everyone in the group ought to be on the lookout for unconnected people.  For a more thorough answer, see How to Find New Members for Your Group?

Who makes the best new members for your group?  That’s easy.  People you know and are building a relationship with who are unconnected.  Here are some ideas that will help you find new members:

• Look for people who are already doing the same things you are.  If your kids are in High School, make it a point to get to know other parents.  If your kids are younger…make it a point to meet other parents as you check them in to Kidz Connection.  Whether you’re in a bunko group, on a softball team, do scrapbooking, or regularly watch your kids’ little league games…be on the lookout for people who are already doing the same things that you are.
• If you sit in the same area at the same service every week, you’ll often begin to notice some of the same people.  Get in the habit of getting to know one or two new people every week.  In the “say hello to a few people around you” part of the service…make it a point to remember their names.  Write their name(s) down as soon as you sit down.  As the service ends tell them you’ll see them next week.
• Take a few minutes in your next meeting to talk about who your members know that would be a good fit in your group.  It’s a good idea to talk through the Circles of Life handout (click here to download a copy).  Sometimes all you need is something to jog your memory.
• Plan a social get-together (potluck, cookout, theme dinner, chili cookoff, etc.) and invite unconnected friends over.  This is a great idea to schedule on a regular basis between studies.  The perfect way to get to know a few new people.
• Volunteer to serve at What We Believe.  Think about it.  Everyone at the class is taking a next step…the perfect time to join a small group.
• Volunteer to serve as an usher or greeter.  You’ll see a lot of the same people.  Easy to be friendly and invite them to your group.
• Volunteer to serve as a Connector at the GroupLife Booth.  You’ll have first crack at the people looking for a group!  How cool is that!
• Volunteer to serve with…(see a pattern developing?  almost any volunteer opportunity will put you in contact with unconnected people).
• Make sure your group is absolutely, positively, up-to-date in our Small Group Finder.  If you haven’t completed the survey…get it done right now.  It will take you less than 5 minutes.  Click here to take it.

Many of our newest groups at Parkview have been launched using Connecting with God’s Family, a six week study from Lifetogether’s Doing Life Together series.  Developed as a follow up to the 40 Days of Purpose, the series has become one of the best selling small group curriculum series (selling nearly 3 million copies).

Connecting with God’s Family features some real advantages:

1. DVD-driven: Each session is taught by a well-known speaker or author (John Ortberg, Doug Fields, Henry Cloud, and Steve Farrar).
2. The study is designed in an easy-to-use format that is plug and play, requiring very little preparation.
3. Each session focuses on application and next steps.
4. The book includes a spiritual health assessment and plan; designed to help each member identify practical growth steps.
5. Leader’s notes and helps make it easy for groups to begin rotating facilitation right away, as part of the normal way a group happens.

Ordering Information:

Interested in using Connecting with God’s Family in your group?  The easiest way to order is to go straight to Lifetogether’s shopping cart. Click Here to order a Group Kit (1 DVD and 10 study guides).  If you just need to order the study guide(s), you can often get them for less at ChristianBook.com.  Click Here to order just the study guides.

Recommended Studies:

This is a first pass at a list of recommended studies:

• Most of our weekend messages have study questions for groups.  They can be found on the literature racks in the grand foyer.  They can also be downloaded from the “Watch Messages” section of the ParkviewChurch.com website (Click here to go there).   Once you’re there, click on any message title and then look for Study Guide Download just below the video screen.
• Doing Life Together: This series has become the best selling small group curriculum.  Rick Warren said, “Doing Lifetogether is a breakthrough – It is the first small group curriculum built completely on the purpose driven paradigm.”  Each of the six books includes six sessions.  There is an overview book and one on each of the five biblical purposes.  It is a DVD-driven study.  The DVD for each study features a collection of well known Bible teachers and authors.
• Experiencing Christ Together: This is the follow-up series to Doing Life Together.  Covers a lot of the same ground with a different list of teachers and authors.
• Liquid: Very engaging.  Each of the studies from this partnership between Mariners Church in Southern California and Thomas Nelson Publishers is designed to generate great discussion and application.  Presented in a very contemporary style, each study takes a contemporary look at a biblical teaching.  For example, Mirror Image is a 5 session study that focuses on some of Jesus’ best known parables, but presents them in a way that will open the eyes of your members to aspects of the story that are often overlooked.
• InterActions: This is a topically based series.  Published by Zondervan, you can pick them up from ChristianBook.com for $5.99 each.  There is an extensive list of topics to choose from.  You can take a look at the table of contents and an excerpt from any of them.
• New Community Series: Also from Zondervan, the New Community Series is a pretty extensive collection of book studies (books of the Bible).  If your group is looking for a solid study of a book of the Bible that leads to application…this is a great list to choose from.

Do you have a favorite study that ought to be included?  Email our team with your recommendations!

There is a lot going on that is great at Parkview!  And…there are some things coming that you are going to love.

• A new Small Group Finder that will make it easy for people who are looking for a group to find a great one.  We hope to have it in place in early May.
• A church-wide study in September that you will be very excited about.  Stay tuned for more information…but this is going to be big!
• A recommended study section here on the blog that will make it easier to find a study your whole group will love.

Here’s how you can help us prepare to take some next steps.  Please take 2 or 3 minutes and complete our survey.  Your info will enable the GroupLife Team to make better decisions about what’s next.  Click here to take the survey!

Thanks for stopping by!  GroupLife @ Parkview is where you’ll find out the latest GroupLife info.  Everything from tips and ideas about how to have a better group experience to recommended studies and upcoming events.

While you’re here…be sure and do two important things.

• Sign up to get the update (that way you find out what’s next before anyone else!)  You can sign up by clicking right here.
• Take the GroupLife Survey! Over the next two months there will be a lot happening.  Taking the survey will help us understand your group.  You can take the survey by clicking right here.