Training Christian Facilitators Small Groups in the Church In every Christian denomination there is increasing interest in developing small groups within local Churches. Widely recognised as contexts in which meaningful exchange can take place they, nevertheless, exhibit quite a wide variation in both purpose and intention. Though superficially similar, they are often underpinned by widely differing attitudes and concerns. Small groups gathered for religious purposes can be ‘life-giving’ but this is not always the case. Experience suggests that their value is highly dependent on how they are facilitated. If, as many commentators would claim, small groups are vital to the future of the Christian churches, it is essential that those charged with leading them be suitably trained. Facilitator Training Over the last twelve years, ‘TIME + SPACE’ (an ecumenical Christian Charity) has piloted a conversational way of being in groups. Taking seriously the skills and attitudes required of those asked to facilitate such groups, the training process that they devised is now validated by the Liverpool John Moores University (as a CPD, level 2). While designed for a particular context, it has proved to have wider currency. Christians of different denominations are finding it of great value in a wide variety of settings, both professional and personal. The Shoreline Consultancy now offers this course as a part of its portfolio of training opportunities. In a variety of ecclesial settings we are designing and delivering tailor-made training processes, informed by the principles and professionalism underlying this course, appropriate to the needs and aspirations of different groups. Resources for Groups In 2002, Mark Davis (founder and first director of TIME + SPACE) wrote a book to accompany the above training process for facilitators. Entitled, "Walking On The Shore: a way of sharing faith in groups" it is published by Matthew James Publishing (ISBN 1 898366 73 X). He is currently working to produce a series of resource books to provide high quality stimulus material for spiritual conversation in small groups.
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