People who are actively looking for a small group. (Relentless)
People who would join a small group if asked. (Ready)
People who would join a small group if asked repeatedly. (Reluctant)
People who would rather be nibbled to death by minnows. (Resistant)

In the first class, folks are actively pursuing community and just need information. They are hungry for community, and will relentlessly pursue it. The Relentless comprise about 10% of your unconnected target.

The second class covers another 50%. An amazingly high number of folks are Ready, and would join a group if someone would just ask them. But no one has, maybe because the church has implemented a strategy designed for the Relentless (too much information, not enough invitation).

The third class presents an interesting but solvable challenge. The Reluctant need time to develop trust, multiple invitations, and a very low barrier to entry (convenient times and locations, lightweight discussions or extended social times, and an easy way to get out.) The Reluctant 20% may need prior relationships with group members or a chance to break the ice before making a commitment to attend.

The last 20% of your unconnected are the Resistant. They will never join a group, even though they may say they want to. For example, most men want to be in a small group until they find out they have to join one. They love the vision of community, but the reality is too much for them. The same is true of individuals (or couples) who are given multiple connection options and reject them all. (Every option is too far, too long, too intense, too frequent, or too different.)  Love them, pray for them, but don’t waste time designing a system to try to reach them. God can overcome their resistance, but nobody else is going to come close.

To be continued...

In one church I know, small groups are a special secret held by the senior pastor and only revealed during a membership interview. In other words, you can’t join a small group until you join the church, and that requires a chat with the Big Guy.

In our Small Groups Advanced Training, we ask each church team to write down their process for getting people from the parking lot to a small group. In some cases, they have clear, accessible, and do-able steps that allow people to quickly find a small group. Other churches offer hopelessly complex systems with plenty of hand-offs just begging for a fumble. If someone actually gets into a group it is in spite of the system and not because of it.

How do people find their way into small groups at your church?

To be continued...