Looking for group leaders in your church can be like looking for Waldo. We know they’re out there, but they’re not always instantly recognizable.
By Ken Braddy
Do you remember the popular children’s book series “Where’s Waldo?” It originated in Britain and featured a character named Wally (Waldo in the Canadian and American versions). Martin Handford created the books and the Waldo character, who was always placed somewhere on a two-page spread with hundreds of other characters. Waldo was identified by his red and white striped shirt, hat, and glasses. Many of us spent a lot of time trying to find this elusive cartoon character hiding in plain sight.
Now, here we are in our post-pandemic ministry world. And some of us are feeling the challenges of discovering new group leaders. We need people to replace our workers who stepped down because of the pandemic or who are taking much-needed sabbaticals. We may even need new workers because our church is planting new groups.
In any event, it can feel like a real-life game of “Where’s Waldo?” except this time we’re trying to find real people in our congregations to serve as new leaders. And these illusive folks are in plain sight, just like Waldo. As a leader, it’s our job, privilege, and responsibility to discover new group leaders and infuse our group ministries with new people. But these potential leaders aren’t wearing hats, glasses, and red-and-white-striped shirts.
“As a leader, it's our job, privilege, and responsibility to discover new group leaders and infuse our group ministries with new people.” — @kenbraddy Share on XTo help you discover new leaders, I want to suggest 13 places for you to look. Perhaps you’ve thought about some of these. But if you discover a few new places from the following list, you’ll be able to check that box and say, “Mission accomplished.”
1. Substitute teachers
Most groups have a person or persons group leaders call upon to teach when they are absent. Some of the substitute teachers in your church are willing and able to take on more responsibilities. But no one has asked them.
2. Apprentice teachers
These important leaders are similar to substitute teachers, but apprentice teachers normally lead the group at a regular cadence. While substitute teachers step in for the group leader occasionally (such as when the group leader is sick or out of town), an apprentice teacher leads the group with regularity—perhaps as often as once a month or more. These apprentice leaders know they are being intentionally primed to plant another group or to step into another existing group as its leader.
3. Church membership list
As you seek to find new group leaders, consider the entire membership of your church. Take a look at your membership list to discover people you might have overlooked. Sometimes we just don’t think about a person until we see their name in print, remember them, and take steps to invite them to consider leading a group.
“As you seek to find new group leaders, consider the entire membership of your church.” — @kenbraddy Share on X4. Discipleship class leaders
Some people love leading a short-term study that lasts between four and 12 weeks. As a discipleship class leader, these people might enjoy teaching a particular topic or teaching on a different day and time besides Sunday. But some of these short-term study leaders are ready to step up and become ongoing group leaders who teach a group every Sunday. Discipleship class leaders tend to be responsible and committed to the spiritual growth of others.
5. New member class participants
Many churches offer a new member class for people in the process of discovering church membership at a local church. During a new member class, church leaders should give participants an opportunity to indicate how they have served in other churches. As new members join the church, accurate records of their responses will build up a database of people who have served as ongoing group leaders, committee members, VBS volunteers, and other important positions.
6. Spiritual gifts study, workshop, or seminar
Every believer has spiritual gifts. When a church offers a Bible study, multi-session workshop, or one-day seminar on the topic of spiritual gifts, participants are often able to identify their spiritual gifting. Churches should keep these survey results on file, and when needs arise, leaders can match positions and giftings.
7. Former group leaders
Perhaps you have a group of leaders who led groups in the past but stepped down from leadership for one reason or another. Circle back to these people and see if the time is right for them to rejoin your church’s roster of teachers.
8. VBS group leaders
These outstanding people lead kids’ groups during the week of VBS. And some of them will be open to the idea of continuing to teach in the church’s ministry to kids on an ongoing basis.
9. People who are teachers by profession
It is not unusual to discover that teachers by profession have the spiritual gift of teaching. Look at the professional educators in your church, discern how many are already leading groups, and extend an invitation to the ones who are not currently leading a group to join your teaching team.
10. Returning college students
Every summer, college students return home for a few months. Many enjoy being back among friends and family members at their churches and are open to investing some of their time as volunteers in the kids’ and student ministries. Don’t overlook these young leaders who need ways to serve God and others, even if it’s just for a short time while they are home.
11. Potential group leader class
A growing number of churches are finding success in onboarding new group leaders by holding a “discovering group leadership” class a few times each year. This class is short—60-90 minutes—and covers the basics of what group ministry is about at the church, the curriculum used in groups, expectations of group leaders, and how to continue taking steps to become a group leader. This type of class could be held on a Sunday morning, Sunday night, or Wednesday night.
12. Ministry fair day
New group leaders are sometimes discovered when the church has a ministry fair day. Different ministries of the church set up booths in a fellowship hall or gym, and congregants come through during the Sunday school hour or before or after worship services. The goal is to expose members and guests to the opportunities the church has for people to use their spiritual gifts, time, and talents for the Lord.
“The goal is to expose members and guests to the opportunities the church has for people to use their spiritual gifts, time, and talents for the Lord.” — @kenbraddy Share on X13. Recommendations from current teachers
This is perhaps one of the best places to discover new group members. Your current teachers will recognize people in their adult groups who are committed, solid theologically, regular in their attendance, and have potential to be next generation group leaders.
Looking for new group leaders can be like looking for Waldo. We know Waldo is out there, but he’s not always instantly recognizable in the crowd. New group leaders are out there as well but can be hard to recognize in the crowd. Let’s pray one or more of the 13 places above will give you a new source for finding group leaders for your church’s Bible teaching ministry.
For permission to republish this article, contact Marissa Postell Sullivan.
Ken Braddy is Lifeway’s Director of Sunday School. He is a group leader at his church in Murfreesboro, TN. Pick up a copy of his latest book, Breakthrough: Creating a New Scorecard for Group Ministry Success, at lifeway.com.
Ken Braddy
Ken is Lifeway’s director of Sunday School and regularly blogs at kenbraddy.com. He is the author of 11 books on group ministry, including his latest, Welcome Aboard!, which is all about helping groups become places of extreme biblical hospitality so guests want to connect with your church. He also hosts a group ministry podcast, Disciple-making in Community.
