Christian wholeness happens a lot quicker if we are surrounded by helpful people. This is the case, even if we are suffering below the water (in the square), needing a counselling pyramid or whether we are succeeding above the water needing a coaching pyramid. Indeed, our people have grown significantly over the last five years or so because they
have all been placed within a pyramid. Growth occurs even more effectively and efficiently if

• there are a range of people in the pyramid, such as

• safe friend
• a helpful family member
• at least one other follower of Jesus, representing the church
• a safe and available people help the growth group
• professional counsellor/coach

• all of these people are

• are connected with the pinnacle of the pyramid, God
• have some kind of common language between them. The five steps and five shapes make up a language which is transferable across the base of the pyramid.

• there are different people for different parts of the pyramid. In smaller communities, this may not be possible, and in very small communities, one person might have a number of roles including being a friend, part of the same small group, and indeed a helper/counsellor/coach all to the one person. In this situation, it is important to identify which role one is in, at which time. A helpful approach here is to actually say to the other person which role on the scene. A useful analogy here is to talk about the "hats" one is wearing. For example, one could say, "I am now putting on my counsellor hat", or "I am now just a friend".

Question: Are you in a pyramid yourself? Who is there was part of this? Are you a part of a pyramid for other people? Who do you have as a friend? How close are they and how deep you let them in? Who in your family is part of your pyramid? Do you have a small fellowship group as well as a people help a group which you may be end? What is the difference of these two groups for you (you need a small group for yourself). Do you yourself provide various roles for different people? (Are you a friend, family, and a small group, a people help or a professional for other people?) Do you have various roles for the same people? How do you manage that? When you are in the friendship role,  can you allow the relationship to be reciprocal (a give and take).