As pastors and ministry leaders, we approach the word “free” with a healthy dose of skepticism. It is not surprising; we’ve all been inundated with offers that seem too good to be true. And a lot of people are suspicious of free resources and in church leadership we are at a disadvantage when it comes to what they can do.
But before you dismiss EQUIP’s free small group leadership program, Beyond Success, take a moment to reconsider. And asking the right questions can help make sure this opportunity is actually worth your time:
Does this content create leaders or just inform them? Does it encourage multiplication, or is it limited to the individual leader? Does it help people find their purpose, or is it only educational? If it does not fall into these categories, then it is not worth investing in. Most free resources are only used to whet your appetite and are simply marketing tools rather than leadership development from the get-go. A resource that does not promote growth is not a leadership resource at all, it is just a marketing gimmick.
Beyond Success was designed with a different mindset. It is the idea that every leader, whatever their journey, deserves the same quality of resources. At EQUIP, we are convinced that leadership is the backbone of all growth. We believe leaders at the grassroots level, small group leaders, volunteer organizers, and ministry directors need to be recognized and supported in the same way senior leaders have been.
Why EQUIP Offers This Program for Free
EQUIP has trained leaders in more than 170 countries, often in regions where expensive curricula are simply out of reach. We’ve learned that leadership development isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity.
Leadership development in the church should be available to those who are called to lead, no matter what their position is or no matter what kind of money they have. And so Beyond Success is so crucial for a free and comprehensive program. As the Bible says, “freely you have received, freely give” (Matthew 10:8). But if we do not share these principles with anyone else, we are not living up to the generosity leadership is supposed to be.
And to give this program away for free really helps to give us confidence in it. An organization that believes in the value of its content doesn’t have to charge exorbitant fees to prove it. Value is best proven through generosity.
What Sets Beyond Success Apart?
Depth: Beyond Success isn’t just a series of presentations with a few discussion questions. It is a carefully planned path from basic principles to strong performance, character at the core, something that may not be as evident in more superficial leadership training.
Community: Small groups are a big part of a good church. They facilitate relationships between church members, so new leaders can develop the relational base on which to grow in accountability and encourage each other.
Multiplication: Most importantly, Beyond Success is designed to replicate. It wasn’t only to provide leaders experience; it was to give them the tools to inspire others. So if your church wants to grow small groups, ministry teams, or any kind of accountable leadership, Beyond Success sets the stage. And so the students can take their learning from where it’s intended to go and multiply the program’s impact without wasting money.
What should you look for in any free program? Not all free programs are the same so there can’t be a one-size-fits-all program. So there are some essential things about Beyond Success that make it so great:
Sequencing: Does the content encourage growth? Facilitator support: Are leaders equipped to manage the curriculum, or are they left to figure it out on their own? Clear Outcomes: Does the program establish goals for participants? Reproducibility: How do leaders employ what they learn and lead others in the process?
A Ripple Worth Starting
You don’t need a huge budget to build leaders; you just need the willingness to take the first step to create them. Beyond Success is a start-up for your church that’s free of charge. The only thing you need is the courage to go and bring in six people and have seven life-changing sessions that will equip your community for leadership.
EQUIP has seen Beyond Success impact 170 countries, and it can have an impact on your congregation too. Get ready to grow your church’s ministry by visiting iequip.org! Let’s get on that transformation train!
