Whether you have done “community” online before or not, these days are forcing all of us to adapt and catch up to the online world… quickly. Here are 5 things to remember when you are leading small groups online:
1) Seeing faces matters. It’s likely that your people have been staring at the same faces for the last few days. The joy of just seeing someone else is immeasurable. There are so many ways to connect through video these days. Facetime Group Calls, Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Skype, etc. Don’t let the fear of figuring out a new technology keep you from connecting.
2) Get set up early. Have you ever done a video chat with a relative and then found yourself staring at the ceiling while they run around doing something? Or they are walking around the house and you find yourself getting dizzy? Or they walk by a window and all of a sudden you are blinded by the brightness of their screen? We all have. It’s awkward, it’s nauseating and it’s terrible to be a part of. Find a spot to sit, put people at ease with the setting. Many will already feel unsure about trying something new, put them at ease with a calm environment.
3) Simple. Simple. Simple. When you plan your group get-togethers normally, you likely have a lot going on. Food, games for the kids, study notes, music, and the list goes on. But when you move to the online world, people know exactly why they are logged in. They aren’t looking for everything else. Just do the main thing and do it very well.
4) Have a plan. It can sometimes feel awkward leading a group, in person or online, so embrace the awkwardness. Instead of being able to feel the room, you are staring at faces on a screen. You may have to carry the conversation at times. Nothing is more awkward than the ramblings of a person not knowing where they are going next. Make sure you have predefined your purpose. What is the goal for the meeting and how will you know when that goal has been achieved?
5) Have fun! This may seem obvious, but it is very easy online to get caught up in your “to do” list for the meeting. Peoples mics may be muted, their cameras may be off, if you can’t be engaging and make the experience fun, it will be hard to keep people coming back week after week.
We are all in brand new territory. The online world was always something we were going to get to in the future… well, the future is now! Circumstances have the ability to speed up our arrival to that future we thought was way out there! We can do this, and we will do it better if we do it together!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Guest Post by Chris Gorsky. Chris is on staff at First Assembly in Calgary as their Community and Connections Pastor. He loves helping people feel connected, empowered, and part of the team!