After getting fired up about multiplying their group, wise group leaders begin to ask certain questions, such as,
“What should I expect from an apprentice?”
“How much is reasonable?”
“What type of commitment should I ask them to make?”
When I am working with a brand new apprentice who is just “trying on” group leadership I ask for four basic commitments. To keep it simple, we summarize it as asking them to set the “PACE” for several group members.
Setting the PACE
P: Pray. Apprentices are expected to pray for group members daily.
I usually give the apprentice 4-10 names of group members they are to pray for daily. This helps the apprentice build a heart for the people. It increases God’s working in the group member’s lives. It increases the quality and quantity of prayer. It also, frees the mentoring leader from needing to pray for too many people. As a leader, I generally only pray daily for my apprentices.
A: Availability. Apprentices are expected to be available to group members outside the group.
I have a strong personality as a leader. In order to multiply, I must wean group members from me as quickly as possible. I also want to build the bridge between apprentice and group members as quickly as possible. Therefore, I have my apprentices give their phone numbers to the group members they are praying for daily. I expect the apprentices to be the first ones to visit those people if they have to go to the hospital.
C: Contact. Apprentices are expected to contact group members weekly.
Every week I expect my apprentices to call each of the group members for whom they are praying. This is what we call a “five-minute phone call.” This call keeps the apprentice in touch with the people for whom they are praying. It helps the group member feel like someone cares for them. It builds the relationships that pave the way for the eventual multiplication of the group. It further frees the leader up from needing to call all the group members. Therefore, the leader can focus on reaching new people, as the leader only need to call the apprentices each week.
During the call, the apprentice may ask the group members such things as:
“How are you doing?”
“What can I pray for you about?”
“What did you like about the group last night?”
“Have you ever thought about becoming an apprentice?”
“What week was it that you wanted to bring refreshments?”
“We have been praying for your friend at work. Did she say if she was coming to church this week or not?”
They may also say things such as:
“I want you to know that I really appreciated what you shared last week in our group.”
“I want to remind you to put our group party on your calendar.”
“Let me tell you that as I pray about people to become my apprentices when our group multiplies, your name keeps coming to mind.”
E: Example. Apprentices are expected to be positive examples.
When you start talking about being an example, some people get intimidated. So, we speak of being positive examples of progressing Christians, not perfect ones. How you define a progressive Christian will be different in different settings. In this context, I’m generally expecting examples in areas such as daily Bible reading and prayer, church attendance, and reading of a book I have given them.
PACEM
After an apprentice has been fulfilling the four commitments for a few months, I generally add the fifth commitment. At this point the commitment shifts from PACE to PACEM. It is corny, but memorable. Therefore, it works.
M: Mentor. Apprentices are expected to begin mentoring the person(s) who will become their apprentice when they launch the new group.
Multiplication rarely if ever “just happens.” It is always the result of intentional decisions and commitments. In order to instill multiplication into the DNA of your group, begin training an apprentice to start a new group and help them begin training their apprentice when the new group is launched.
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Dr. Dave Earley is an experienced pastor, small group leader, church planter and coach. He serves as the Director of the Liberty Center for Church Planting at Liberty University. He is also Chairman of the Department of Pastoral Leadership and Church Planting for Liberty Theological Seminary. He has authored ten books on subjects such as small groups, leadership, prayer, and the Christian life. www.daveearley.com This article is an excerpt from his new book (w/ Rod Dempsey) The Pocket Guide to Leading a Small Group: 52 Ways to Help You and Your Small Group Grow www.touchusa.org