Eric Dunaway
small groups pastor
Someone once told me I could make quite a healthy sum of money, with very little effort, by simply starting my own business. That's only the first part of it. To make it really easy, and lucrative, I have to get other people to sign up and start their own businesses under mine. You've probably heard about these - they're called pyramid schemes. Have you ever considered that Jesus was a master at the pyramid scheme?
I know most of us are ready to bolt for the door as soon as someone mentions names like Amway or Quixtar. But really, there are many more reputable companies that use the same approach at marketing their products. Brands like MaryKay, Pampered Chef, and Tupperware all use some form of multilevel marketing in which a consultant, or representative, buys into the company, begins selling the product, while simultaneously seeking other potential consultants who can sign up under them. The reality is that these "businesses" are little more than hobbies unless you can multiply yourself through your subtier signups. The more people under you, the more successful your business. Who knows, you may even earn a pink Cadillac as a result (something my wife aspired to several years ago).
Let me take you back two thousand years. A rabbi named Jesus began a movement that defied religion and culture, but has endured through the centuries. It started in a small fishing village in a small country, but has spread across the globe. How? He devoted a majority of his time to twelve disciples, teaching them and pouring his life into them. A majority of those men later went on and invested their time into disciples of their own, who later went on and invested in their disciples. Essentially, Jesus modeled for us a discipleship pyramid! Robert E. Coleman said in his book, The Master Plan of Evangelism,
"It did not matter how small the group was to start with so long as they reproduced and taught their disciples to reproduce. This was the way his church was to win - through the dedicated lives of those who knew the savior so well that his spirit and method constrained them to tell others."Now we apply this same principle to our life groups. Leaders reproducing themselves by investing in other leaders is a major win for us. The reality is that we can't train enough leaders to lead the groups we launch each year. If we waited for a trained leader to start a new group, we'd launch only a handful of groups every year, leaving dozens, if not hundreds, of people frustrated and waiting for a group.
On the other hand, think about the exponential possibilities if every leader reproduced just one new leader every year. If we started with six leaders in one year, and each of those leaders reproduced leaders (who reproduced leaders), in five years we'd have 192 leaders ready to lead a group! In ten years, we'd have over six thousand leaders! (I'm fairly certain I did my math correctly, but feel free to check me)
If you're a leader in your life group, spend some time praying about who the would-be leaders are in your group. Watch them to see if you can identify specific gifts and abilities in them. Once you've spotted these young padawans, why not invite them to be your "apprentice" (or co-leader, if apprentice sounds weird).
If you're someone who would like to be a leader, why not approach your current group leader and offer to take some leadership responsibilities. Chances are, they'll welcome the opportunity to share the load once they know there's a willing helper.
Leaders reproducing leaders is a win for you, it's a win for us, and it's a win for the Kingdom.
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