Resource Library

Taken from a Pastor/SPRC Workshop

The goal of a pastoral transition is to navigate the change with grace and purpose. Home group meetings provide pastors with a tool to accomplish this.

The purpose of home group meetings:

• Help worshipers get to know you better and for you to get to know the congregation better.
• Being to understand the values within the congregation.
• Identify the future hopes.
• Identify natural leaders.
• Identify what is important to people.

Home group meetings are help in worshipers' homes and light refreshments are served.

The ideal participant size of a home group meeting is 10-18 worshipers.

Questions that should be asked include the following:

1. Invite each person to share their name and how long they have been a worshiper.
2. The pastor shares briefly about him/herself. The goal is to show you are a listener and are interested in them. Talk as little as possible.
3. What are the strengths of the congregation?
4. What does this congregation value/what is important to the congregation?
5. What are the present challenges?
6. What ministries would you like to see in the future?
7. What are your hopes for my ministry?

Following the group meetings, write up the responses to these meetings. Write a newsletter article about the top three things you heard for each question. Work with SPRC and staff to set 3-5 objectives based on what you heard and achieve those objectives within the first year.