3 Keys to a Successful First Meeting

Next week our Summer Life Groups are kicking off again!

Here’s three keys to a successful first meeting:

1. It’s all about the people: Make your first meeting about the people who are there, and not so much the topic you’ll be covering.  Help them relax by getting to know one another.  Do you have something fun planned?  Something delicious?  Something meaningful?  Check out a sample itinerary for the first meeting here: Sample First Meeting Schedule

2. Reveal the plan: Have a schedule to give everyone of the readings/homework for the trimester.  People will appreciate it and you will, too. Check out a sample one here:  Sample Reading Plans

3.  Think about it through a new person’s eyes: Whether your group is brand new, or you are a repeat leader with a lot of returnees and some new people, it’s your job to lead the group in welcoming new people, and making them feel really included.  Think about what they might  feel entering a group of people, especially if you've been together before.  In this case you might email the  returning people in your group this week and let them know that new people will be joining the group and to be as welcoming as possible.  Here’s an example of what you might send…

Hey Everyone – I’m excited about our Life Group starting up again next week, and I’m really glad you are returning.   Great news – we have a couple of people who are new to the group.  Let’s do all we can to make them feel welcome.   That means in discussion time, listen well to them.  And during our informal times, be the first to ask them questions and get to know them.  It’s important they feel included.  We all know each other well…so let’s try to get to know them really well and make them feel included!

Just a few thoughts that I hope will be helpful to you.

We are praying for you and your group.