The Gallery

As created beings we are His artwork. It's a fact.
Have you ever thought of Redeemer, really the entire planet as a gallery? Some pieces are pretty marred, some are more abstract, but indeed are pieces of art.

In this vein, I encourage you to take time to appreciate the other pieces around you, not overlooking yourself. This is not a narcissistic exercise, but instead one that requires you to partner with the Spirit. Who does God say He is and who does He say you are? These questions must be tightly woven into the process.

Consider fostering an opportunity in your group in which people can talk about their giftedness; what do they enjoy expressing or would they like to begin exercising? God has uniquely created us, use this opportunity to get the group talking about what mission they may be called to individually and how to partner with others in the group on Kingdom mission.

Quick story: A friend, who is an officer, mentioned one time his heart for shepherding people. His chosen profession had caused us as a church to request his services in another area entirely for many years. There was a void, he moved to fill it and filled it well. Recently, it has been great to see him freed up and encouraged to serve in another area in which he is gifted and called, using this gift speaks to his heart and contributes to our Body glorifying God. He continues to work in the first area on occasion, but his joy is really evident when he is doing the latter. Sometimes serving looks like laying down your life, sometimes it's "you mean I get to do this"!

Multiplication

I'd like to highlight 2 models for group multiplication that are healthy and have happened in Redeemer successfully. Each requires a potential leader to be raised up alongside the current HFG or Prayer group leader. The new leader would be mentored into that role and lead on occasion the current group. At the determined time the group would intentionally multiply.
Example 1) New leader and current leader along with half of the group each begin to meet separately. The multiplication is one of division in order to allow for growth. It is often wise for the group to cap its number of participants for a time to allow time for depth of relationship and study to occur.
Example 2) The new leader is sent out by the established group to begin a new HFG. This multiplication is one of birthing. The "sent out" leader may continue to meet with the original group for a time, until the new group is more established. The sending group also can act as a prayer support and combine with the new group occasionally for larger gatherings.

Consider the number of individuals who are actively involved in your HFG or Prayer Group. I encourage you to foster an environment in which people can be transparent with one another, encourage Gospel thinking and use their gifts to expand the Kingdom. As the group grows in number (to perhaps 12-14), capping the group for a season can be wise to encourage depth of relationship. After a season, multiplication of the group is healthy. It is what we are to be about by mandate ( Gen 1:28, Matt 28:19), but also what is best for us. Capping a group's size and keeping the same individuals in it without a vision for multiplication and mission can encourage ingrown thinking, it's just fallen nature. Multiplication requires faith, it requires the Spirit causing us to repent and be fruitful. It is also unknown and exciting, talk about an opportunity for faith building!