It's Election Day in the USA. Most Americans are grateful for two things: First, that we each have a voice in our democratic republic. Second, that we only have to go through this once every four years. But people in your small group ministry vote every day. With their feet.
You don't need to count hanging chads when attendance drops at your small group training events. People are voting with their feet. Walking away. Finding an alternative use for their time. It's not hard to notice when people stop coming. What's hard is learning the truth about why they didn't show up. Don't be afraid to ask... you might get an earful. If "Dancing With The Stars" proves to be a higher value that your training event, you need to change your approach to leadership training... and/or find some new leaders. Here are some common responses... and what to do about them:
"I had something else to do." Translation: "Your event had no value to me." Next Step: Increase the perceived value of the training. Bring in an "expert" to encourage them. Provide a meal. Give them a book or CD when they show up. Another simple strategy is to make sure the room looks like you prepared it for them. Provide bottled water and some hard candy on the tables. Set up a couple of flip charts or whiteboards. Drop some pens and pads on the tables (in case someone says something worth writing down).
"I can't give one more night (or Saturday) to this." Translation: "I am committed, but I have boundaries." Here is a potential solution: you may need to lessen their overall load by giving them permission to drop out of another responsibility. Some who are gifted to shepherd others may need to pass up on committee assignments and nursery duty to allow others a chance to serve. This can be painful to the individual (and to the church) as ministry priorities begin to shift.
"I don't need no stinking training." Translation: "I already know it all." This one presents a double challenge. First, determine if their answer is out of arrogance or honesty. If arrogance, they have an unteachable spirit and may need some 1:1 time with a coach or pastor to check their heart. They may not be leaning into the Holy Spirit for interactive guidance on how to lead their members. On the other hand, they may honestly believe that they have been well prepared for leadership by previous training, self-study, and experience. If this is the case... challenge them to come help you train others. By sitting in on training directed at "others" they may learn a lot... and may help you at the same time. If they are gifted a helping others learn to be leaders, they may be Coach material.
What are you hearing? Do your leaders provide excuses for not attending your training events? What are you doing about it?
