By Randy White
1. Large group meetings are the most visible part of the IVCF work on campus. Treat them as a tool to channel students into deeper, more committed forms of teaching and training (for example, small groups, conferences).
2. Use large group meetings to communicate your overall theme for the semester or year. What do you want to accomplish in the lives of those who attend? Be specific. Make sure you know how this semester’s theme and weekly topics fit into your Long Range Plan for discipleship training and campus penetration. Let your chapter know where you are going.
3. Make sure you have a clear purpose for each meeting and an outline of what you want to accomplish. Aim for continuity between the meetings. Some topics, however interesting, are just not useful in accomplishing the overall plan. Reserve some vacant dates for flexibility.
4. Pay attention to detail. It makes the difference between a mediocre and a great meeting. These details include: who will pray and for what; a master of ceremonies with presence, sincerity, and flexibility who knows the purpose of the meeting; music that fits the theme of the meeting, led by a team of core students; well-rehearsed skits; printed announcements (keep to a minimum); book plugs by people who have read the book (make sure there are copies available for sale); starting and ending on time. Your attention to detail will communicate caring and increase the value of the meeting.
5. Alter the format. Don’t plan a long string of speakers. Use media tools. Break up into small groups with core people as leaders (assigned questions). Alternate formal meetings with informal ones. Some weeks stress body life, other weeks give more time to content. The opposite of creativity is not dullness, but laziness!
6. Use your core both in format and planning. Get their feedback. Use their ideas. Large groups can develop potential leaders. Communicate that the chapter welcomes involvement from everyone. Use them consistently.
7. Recognize different levels of commitment. Don’t scare people away with absolutes about involvement in chapter life. Rather, always provide opportunities for deeper participation. Because your objective (through the message and format) is to teach and channel, be sure to provide avenues for response. Don’t just contribute to their knowledge. Help them grow in action.
8. Someone said that one evidence of God’s grace in a group is in how it treats visitors. Make visitors feel welcome. If possible, have the friends who brought them or a greeter introduce them to the group. Follow up on them, perhaps by having small group leaders call with an invitation to their studies.
9. Expect problems and problem people. God allows them. Have a back-up plan in case a speaker doesn’t show up.
10. Above all, pray — before, during, and after. Rivet yourself to God’s work and His principles when planning your objectives and format. He will give you success. (2 Thess. 1:11-12)
