Selection of leaders: Factors.
Leaders are selected for:
*commitment to the model,
*strong connection to the church,
*understanding of the role,
*ability to relate well
*being a good listener and an non-anxious presence,
*willingness to attend Leaders Meetings and accept direction from the minister and program coordinator.
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Selection process:
*Selection is by the minister and/or Steering Committee.
*This is a leadership role within the congregation. Membership is a commitment to the congregation.
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Support. Facilitators meet with the minister, coordinator or 'coach' on a regular basis as a way of being connected with the congregation and having support regarding group process.
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Contacts (Meeting and individual)
Regular Contacts: Group leaders may meet on a regular basis to discuss issues and problems in their group, for short training topics, to reinforce the "shared ministry" between the leaders and the minister, and/or to have a SGM session themselves.
The theme of the sessions may be related to leadership or group needs. This also allows dialogue on group development.
Non-regular contacts. Leaders may meet less frequently as a group, with contacts between the coordinator and the leaders on an individual basis. Without contact with the larger program, a group can become insular, exclusive or detached.
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Leadership 'training' and development. This is done initially and/or over time, to include:
--small group ministry model overall and in the specific congregation.
--dynamics of group process.
--facilitation as spiritual practice
--enhancing skills in facilitation as ministry
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Initial orientation.
*This can be an extended period of time and sessions, especially when the program is new and the first group of facilitators is being oriented.
*A Facilitator's Guide can be developed that provides everything a new facilitator needs to know for success. The trainer then reviews the manual with the new facilitator.
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Facilitator or co-facilitators.
*Co-facilitators gives opportunity to review group dynamics with another person.
*Newer facilitators can be partnered with experienced facilitators.
Note: This is the more traditional model, and the facilitator (s) serve as Group Leader.
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Facilitation rotates. The facilitation of sessions may be shared within the group. There still is a designated leader who holds the vision of the group and observes group dynamics and may intervene if the group violates the covenant or strays from the model.
Ongoing development.
*This provides opportunities for facilitators to share skills and experiences, with an awareness of how their own skills are developing.
*Skilled/experienced facilitators can become mentors to newer facilitators.
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Facilitators and Session Content.
Facilitator involvement in selection of the session topics varies with program structure within the congregation.
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Knowledge of Content.
*The facilitator does not need to have knowledge or expertise related to a topic. The focus of the group is on personal relation to, rather than knowledge about, the topic.
*A facilitator knowledgeable about a topic (example, a poet with a Poetry session) needs to be aware of the topic as related to ministry.
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