The Complete Guide to Small Group Ministry: Saving the World Ten at a Time (Book)
Robert L. Hill, Author.  Boston, MA: Skinner House Books, 2003.

The Complete Guide to Small Group Ministry introduces congregations to "covenant groups" and provides guidelines to launching, sustaining, and growing them. Covenant groups respond to people's needs for ultimacy and intimacy by encouraging them to explore their deepest beliefs in a safe, supportive environment. Addressed primarily to Unitarian Universalist congregations, this guide can be adapted to other faith communities.

Robert Hill outlines the important elements of covenant groups: they number 8-10 people; they meet once or twice a month; they are led by a trained facilitator; they include an empty chair (to symbolize those not yet reached); they agree on several covenants (including a behavioral covenant among themselves, a covenant to serve the congregation, and a covenant to serve the larger community); and they follow a standard format. The format begins with an opening reading, a check-in period, a period focusing on the purpose or theme; a check-out period, and a closing reading.

This book counsels facilitators to clarify the group's purpose, start and stop meetings on time, prevent "cross-talk," urge people to be "slow about giving advice," and remember that "the point is learning, not teaching." It also discusses four types of groups: curriculum-directed, minister-directed, theology-directed, and interest-directed.

Hill concludes with some sample materials: a brochure on covenant groups, a registration form, an invitation to potential facilitators, a facilitator's application form, a training session, and a covenanting process. A list of additional resources wraps up this essential manual for any congregation seeking to launch a vital covenant group ministry.

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