[UP] [PREVIOUS] [HOME] [WORLDSCOPE] [FEEDBACK] [POST OFFICE] [RANDOM] [SEARCH]

Being A Bridges Leader

Bridges is designed to be as simple to run as possible. However, there are certain things that will help you do this more effectively:

1. KEEP THE LEADERSHIP

Don't give the leadership over to anyone else on your team. You are the person who has been entrusted with the responsibility for the group. You can get others involved, but it is vital that you are seen by all to be "in charge". This provides security for all new Bridges members.

Being in charge, of course, doesn't mean hogging everything to yourself. You don't need to be speaking all the time to be "in charge"; you just need to be guiding the group in the direction for that evening.

2. KEEP THE LESSON ON COURSE

There is always one slight danger with interaction - someone might ask a question which takes the lesson off course. As the leader, you can guide the group back on course without being abrupt. You can do this in one of two ways: There are some hints that can help with this. Remember that the goal of the lesson is to help with two things: a change of world-view and the establishing of a close relationship with God. Anything beyond this is outside your jurisdiction as leader of the group. If the question posed is a theological one or a controversial one, your responsibility is to bring it back to either: Use wisdom to gently bring the group back on course, without leaving the person who asked the "off centre" question feeling hurt or ignored.

3. BE NATURAL

Be yourself. Don't try to put on a front, or be anything that you are not. It will be your naturalness that will help each member of the group realise that he/she doesn't need to put on airs either.

4. DON'T MAKE BROAD ASSUMPTIONS

Each member of your group will be at different levels of understanding and experience. Some will have made firm decisions to follow Christ; others will be simply "inquiring". Take people from where they are, one step at a time. The only assumption you are allowed at the beginning is: God has been working in their lives. See if you can discover how advanced that work of God is, then cooperate with God.

5. DON'T PRESSURE FOR CHANGE

It's easy to see where people need to change, repent, grow, etc. But sometimes we can override the Holy Spirit's own work by doing His work ourselves. Give God room to challenge and bring change. As you concentrate on a new world view and a new relationship with God, you will find that God Himself will be speaking to your group members. Remember that for many of them, a lot of change has already taken place in a very short time. If there are special needs or problems that you feel you can't handle or don't know how to advise, refer to your minister.

6. MAKE EVERYTHING INCLUSIVE

Remember that it is not just your group members who are growing - you are too! When you speak in the group, make everything inclusive. It is not "you" who are going to experience change; "we" are all experiencing change together, as we respond to God's challenges. It is not just "you" who need to spend time with God everyday. This is important "for all of us". This is not a steadfast rule, but a basic guideline which will help everyone in the group to feel like they are a part of something bigger than themselves.

7. KEEP SEGMENTS OF TIME DOWN TO TEN MINUTES

Again this is not an absolute rule but a guideline. The average person's attention span is not much greater than 10 minutes. Short readings, short answers, short testimonies, short prayers - this should be emphasised to each of your team.

THE SETTING FOR A BRIDGES MEETING

It's up to you to organise the time and place of your Bridges meeting, checking first to make sure that this is suitable for all who will be coming. Check on things like transport to find out if anyone needs a lift to the meeting or back.

The place where your Bridges is held is very important. Try not to choose a large, cold place. The best setting is a home or a friendly hall. It is also best to keep it to the same place each week - people react to strange places like they do to strange people.

We would recommend making your first Bridges meeting a BBQ or the like. This makes it easier for people to relax, and is something that they are already familiar with. "Family-like" should be the atmosphere for each meeting.

BACK INTO THE CHURCH

The ultimate aim of the Bridges program is to integrate all the members into local churches. The first step in this is to have a small number of Christians regularly participate, like the new members, in your Bridges meeting. As you approach the completion of Bridges (particularly Lesson 4), you can be introducing your members more into church life and activities. Ask if a church picnic or the like can be organised specifically for this. Remember that each person in your group is different. Some will be ready from week 1 to be introduced to church services. Others may take a little while longer. Don't push, but be sensitive to each person's development.

AFTER THE BRIDGES COURSE

The Bridges Course is designed to last for only five weeks. This is because its purpose is to act as a bridge into church life. But follow-up should not end when Bridges ends. Follow-up should now be a continuing process within the local church where each Bridges member is assimilated.

Your direct responsibility as Bridges Leader ends with the completion of the Bridges Course. Your Bridges members are then the responsibility of their respective ministers. But you may wish to talk to the minister.

[UP] [PREVIOUS] [HOME] [WORLDSCOPE] [FEEDBACK] [POST OFFICE] [RANDOM] [SEARCH]

Copyright & copy; 1981,1996 Paul, Bunty and David Collins. All rights reserved. This study may be freely used and reproduced, wholly or in part, by the Christian Church for the non-profit purposes of study and training only, provided copyright and contact information is included.

Unless otherwise stated, all scriptures quoted in these studies are from the New International Version of the Bible, & copy; New York International Bible Society, used by permission. Other versions referred to are: KJV (King James Version), NKJB (New King James Bible), TLB (The Living Bible), Amp (The Amplified Bible) and The Message. All versions used by permission.

These studies are "graceware" - distributed freely and without obligation. If you would like to help financially in the continuation of this ministry, you can send your gift to:

Churchlink
P.O. Box 1033
Newcastle 2300
Australia.

For more information on Bible studies available, visit the Churchlink site on the World Wide Web at http://www.churchlink.com.au/churchlink. Enquiries to: [email protected]