Mistakes Part II

2. Carrying too much

The greatest preventable mistake made by small-group leaders comes when they try to carry too much—the "I'll just do it myself" syndrome. Though this is often faster, cleaner and takes less thought and planning- long term, it creates and recreates the kinds of environments that put stress on leaders and don't lead to growth for anyone. 

There are two main ways this happens:

• Not sharing leadership. There are many times in the life-cycle of a group where members can and should lead discussions, plan and organize serving, plan social get-togethers, etc... Group leaders can save a lot of time and mental energy just by finding an administratively-gifted member to take care of follow-up phone calls, contact information, and tracking birthdays and anniversaries. Let each member take responsibility, so at the end of the life-cycle you have capable leaders, not incapable observers. 

• Not facilitating discussions. Group leaders can fall into a trap when they define themselves as teachers—as someone charged to become an expert on a subject and then create an interesting and educational "lesson" for each group meeting. Instead, group leaders should view themselves as facilitators. They need to be prepared, yes, but the entire burden for working through a curriculum should never rest on one set of shoulders. Lead to learn as a group, using tools for study and discovery together, rather than take on the enormous (and generally impossible) task of a Life Group Jeeves.