Entering a small group gathering as a newcomer can be a daunting experience. However, we must remind ourselves of the words of Jesus in Matthew 10:40 when He told His disciples, “The one who welcomes you welcomes me, and the one who welcomes me welcomes him who sent me.” Hence, it is crucial that we always extend a warm welcome to those who visit our small groups. 

Small group leaders can enhance the experience of newcomers by taking steps to welcome them before, during, and after meetings. Here are a few tips. 

BEFORE 

1. Identify one or two naturally friendly women in your group. 

As Jesus told His disciples, we want everyone who visits our groups to feel welcome and included. To ensure this, we suggest identifying one or two friendly women in your group who can act as greeters. These should be individuals who naturally approach newcomers, prioritizing making them feel comfortable over catching up with their friends. Ideally, the person for this role should be comfortable meeting strangers and genuinely interested in getting to know them. 

2. Reach out to the person visiting before the meeting to set expectations and answer any questions she may have. 

If you know in advance that someone is planning to visit your group, it’s a good idea to reach out to her via text and ask when a good time would be for you to call. During the call, express your excitement for her visit and share more information about the group. Be prepared to answer any questions she may have about things like childcare, cost, what to bring, and expectations for participating in the group. Encourage her to ask any questions she may have as well. Finally, provide the name of one of the greeters who will be on the lookout for their arrival. 

DURING  

3. Do something new to everyone at each gathering.  

Adding a new twist to your regular gatherings keeps it fresh for those who have been participating for a while but also draws in the new one. An example of this might be to add a simple icebreaker to the beginning of your meeting. This allows the women to get to know each other better each time they are together. The ideal question should be something simple and fun. Doing this allows the newcomer to contribute immediately without being put on the spot and hopefully feel a sense of connection with individuals in the group. 

4. Let the newcomer take the lead on how much she interacts. 

As your visitors step through the door to join your group, they might have a few fears. They may be afraid of being called on to answer a question, provide personal prayer requests, or be asked to pray or read out loud. To put their fears at ease, it’s important to let them know that they will not be called on. Instead, they are free to contribute as much or as little as they feel comfortable with. 

AFTER 

5. Follow up within 48 hours if possible. 

It’s important to plan ahead and decide who will be responsible for following up with visitors. This could be one of the greeters or the group leader. After a newcomer visits your group, it’s important to contact them soon after to show appreciation for their visit and to help answer any questions they may have about the group. This would be a great opportunity to explain the normal rhythms of the group and any expectations for group members. For instance, you should clarify whether the newcomer will be expected to contribute to the meal or snack at each meeting, or if there are any expectations regarding sharing responsibility for childcare. It’s also important to ask if there are ways you can pray for them and to listen attentively to their needs, to see if there are ways the group could possibly meet them. 

6. Invite her to come again. 

This step is often overlooked. A quick text the day before the next meeting can let her know that her presence is desired and you are looking forward to her joining the group. 

It is important to remember the words of Jesus, who instructed His disciples that when we accept someone into our group, we are also accepting Him. With careful planning and thoughtfulness, small group leaders can create an inviting and inclusive atmosphere for the newcomer in your small group to feel welcome. 

ABOUT DENISE O’DONOGHUE

Denise currently serves her church, Imago Dei, as the director of counseling development and is a member of the Lifeway trainer team. Prior to that she served as the director of operations for Refugee Hope Partners, a ministry serving refugees in the Raleigh area. She has also served as the director of women’s life and assistant professor at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, where she taught graduate courses in ministry to women. Prior to serving at Southeastern, Denise was a student there and earned both her MA in Biblical Counseling and Doctor of Education. She has had the amazing opportunity to speak to women across the globe on matters of counseling as well as intergenerational women’s ministry. She has two married daughters and six grandchildren. Denise and her husband Rod live in Raleigh, North Carolina.

The post How to Include the Newcomer in Your Small Group appeared first on Lifeway Women.

DMTBeautySpot

via https://dmtbeautyspot.com

Erin Franklin, DMT.NEWS, DMT BeautySpot,