Peer Ministry Leadership

Leadership Training

by

FUNNEL PLANNING

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This is the easiest way to be aware of group dynamics and to intentionally plan for them. Every time you enter with your group imagine a funnel. Your job? Help people move through the funnel.  Just because your last event took you to the bottom level of us and our don’t assume you can skip the top level next time you meet. Think through the funnel every time you prepare a program!     

I & ME – top of funnel When people first enter a group they are coming from many situations in life. Somebody is worried about taking off time to come when they should be studying. Someone else just had a fight with his or her mom. Another person just found out that his or her boy friend or girl friend wants to break up. While yet another person just found out they got the lead in the school play. Each person is experiencing his or her own unique thoughts and feeling. People are thinking in terms of I or me.     
  • Be intentionally welcoming
  • Youth and adult leaders engage participants in casual conversations
  • Use activities that engage people as soon as they enter
  • Start with a nonthreatening, everyone is included game
  • Food!
  • Humor, laugh together

THEY & THEM – middle of funnel

As people begin to participate in the group, they begin to get to know each other. Names are learned, group norms are established, and trust begins to build. Participants think and describe group members as, “those people,” or say, “I met them the other night.”

People test out the group at this stage. Norms are tested to discover if they are real. Roles are explored. “Will they accept me if I tell jokes?” Or, “Will they listen to me if I share something personal?” Or, “Will the leader let me get away with putting another person down?” 

  • Youth “Culture Keeper” Welcome 
  • Written group norms displayed and reviewed
  • Name expectations and hopes “Tonight I am looking forward to…”
  • Singing
  • Fun surprises
  • Meaningful faith and life conversation
  • Creative learning activities
  • Challenging group tasks
  • Service projects
US & OUR  – bottom of funnel
As the group continues to take on an identity people become more open to sharing their beliefs, thoughts and feelings. They experience common activities, enter into tasks, share ideas, and stories. The group builds it’s own personality. As the trust level grows the group begins to think in terms of we or us.

There is nothing more exuberant then when the group is inspired, the walls are down, the trust level is up, everyone is intensely listening to each other, hearts are open, and the magical Ah-Has of discovery are being unearthed.

  • A safe place, safe people atmosphere has been created
  • Affirmations are given and received freely
  • Naming the significance and meaning experienced in the group
  • Participants want to take on leadership and responsibility
  • Participants look forward to the next small group Candle Time discussion
  • Shared experience in prayer, worship and other spiritual practices