The Pulse - July 07

At the end of each Covenant period, I like to take some time to reflect on what we did well, what we need to work on and what actions we should take going forward. At the last group meeting we completed a short group evaluation. These are the results in a nutshell:

Our Strengths
1. Safety - What’s said in group stays in group
2. Reproduction - Doing everything in our power to start a new group
3. Care & Support - Providing care for every member, especially in times of crisis

Our Weaknesses
1. Priority - Group meeting attendance, starting/ending on time
2. Accountability - Holding each other accountable for commitments & life change
3. Respect - Childcare

Group Meeting Balance
Almost everything was rated "about right" with the exception of Music/Worship, which averaged between "about right" and "somewhat more".

Group Meeting Priority
Highest: Prayer & Sharing, Spiritual Discussion
Lowest: Task Planning, Icebreaker

The full results of the evaluation are available on our website.


TAKING ACTION
This past Sunday, I got together with our apprentices to reflect on our group evaluation. We came up with the following action steps that we're going to try our best to implement going forward:

1. Do our best to launch a new group as soon as possible!
We're simply too big right now to be an effective Community Group. This step alone will significantly reduce most of our weaknesses.

2. Be more intentional with accountability and loving confrontation
When we see each other going down the wrong path, we need to say something. Responsibility here starts with the group guide and apprentices, and we need to model it more effectively.

3. Start all meetings on time
Respecting each other in this way will require commitment from each member, and a good example set by the guide and apprentices.

4. Improve attendance
Do more relationship-building and follow-up with members who miss. Try our best to make our group time something that nobody wants to miss out on.

5. Better solution for childcare
It's no secret that this has been a problem for a while. In order to preserve group unity and show respect to each other, we need to make sure our children aren't a distraction during group time.

6. Guard the place that Worship/Music has on our meeting agenda.
For some of us, Worship in a small setting is a very important part of connecting with God and each other.