Do you ever feel that:

• meetings are a waste of time?
• you are left out of discussions?
• your views are dismissed without due consideration?
• one or two people dominate every gathering?

If these conditions reflect your experience in small-group settings, it may indicate the lack of a vitally important group member: the facilitator. A great deal has been written and said about the importance of group leadership, but less is said about group facilitation. In fact, the two terms are often used interchangeably, even though the primary function of each is completely different. Simply stated, the leader focuses on task and content, while the facilitator focuses on people and processes.

The word "facilitate" means "to make easy or easier." Facilitation, then, is the act of making things easier for participants in a group or process. Leaders need to stay focused on attaining the goal; facilitators attend to the journey.

Whether the purpose of the group is to complete a task, develop a project or plan, study together, pray together, or a combination of all four, the entire experience of being a group will be enhanced by facilitation. In each group, someone should be trained and assigned to facilitate.

Facilitation is a blend of art and science. It requires specialized training, and there are wonderful resources available to help guide you in developing skilled facilitators. The function of a facilitator may vary from situation to situation, but generally facilitators will:

• watch to make sure that the group stays focused.
• monitor the flow of communication, making sure that no one dominates the entire group.
• pay attention to the emotional tenor of the group.
• ask probing questions (sparingly) that challenge assumptions, invite passive participants to be more involved, and that uncover underlying motives and emotions.
• suggest ways to improve processes.
• look for ways that the group gets bogged down or stuck.
• guarantee that comments, ideas, or concerns do not get dismissed or forgotten as the group proceeds.

These are just a few of the benefits that groups may gain by including a facilitator. The overall group experience is enhanced, group leaders become more effective, participants find the group more meaningful, deeper learning and growth can occur, and tasks are accomplished more effectively.

Recommended Resources

Facilitating with Ease! by Ingrid Bens. Jossey-Bass, 2000.

Facilitation at a Glance! by Ingrid Bens. GOAL/QPC, 1999.

The Practical Guide to Facilitation by John D. Farrell and Richard G. Weaver, 2000.

The Facilitator Excellence Handbook by Fran Rees. Jossey-Bass, 1998.

Goal-QPC Web Site

Participative Dynamics Web Site

Dan R. Dick (ddick@gbod.org) is the director of congregational planning and leader development for the General Board of Discipleship.

Posted 10-1-01