3 Creative Opportunites for Launching New Small Groups
If you were to take a snapshot of my google searches over the last little while you would notice a common theme. ‘How to sew a zipper into a purse.’ I have been making some purses to give away as gifts and I wanted to know how to sew in a zipper. Interestingly, once I […]
Are Small Groups Still Important? 2 SGN Conferences coming to Australia in 2018!
Q Are Small Groups still important? How would you answer this question? Those who look after small group ministry in local churches would answer YES! Those who are small group leaders would hopefully say YES (although their response may be dependent on how things are going with their individual group!) And I have no doubt that […]
The Best 20 Conversation Starters & Ice-Breakers for 2022
I once read an article by Karen Wilk which challenged me think about the term ice-breaker. In the article she encourages people to use the term ‘community makers’ rather than ‘ice-breaker as it more accurately describes the aim of the activity – to develop community and connection in your group. I love that idea so […]
4 Things Your Small Group Leaders Need in 2018
Yesterday I walked past a kitchenware shop and saw a gadget called a ‘herb grinder’. The advertising announced that this was something I needed and that it would revolutionise my life, (no longer would I need to chop herbs with a knife…… I could simply place the herbs in the empty cavity, push the button […]
3 Goals for Growth in 2018
As we begin the new year, it has got me thinking about growth. Specifically, how can we grow and build our small group ministries in 2018? What if we started by setting some goals for ourselves – I have noticed that when I grow there is a ripple effect which also has an impact on the ministry God […]
5 Benefits of a Small Group ‘Thank Tank’
I know what you are thinking – is that a ‘typo’? Have the Small Group Network communications team not proof read this article properly? What does she mean ‘Thank Tank’? I have never heard of such a thing! Is it like a fish tank, a rain tank……some other type of tank native to Australia? OK, […]
4 Pivotal Questions Small Group Point People Should Ask
I learnt today that one of my son’s favourite actors Christian Bale (aka Batman!) will play the lead role in an upcoming biopic based on the life of Dick Cheney. The film does not yet have a title or release date but I am very keen to see how Bale, who apparently is unrecognisable, (as himself!) undertakes the […]
3 Ideas to Help you Care for your Leaders
My husband and I recently travelled from Australia to New York, while we were there we visited the 9/11 Memorial Site. It was a very moving experience for us, however amidst the sadness I heard this story; “A Callery pear tree became known as the “Survivor Tree” after enduring the September 11, 2001 terror attacks […]
Creating Group Clarity
Imagine these people are attending a new small group, they do not really know each other or have any significant background about one another. Paul -his group experience has been one where the leader did everything Karen and Joe – have never been in a small group Sue – in her last group, leadership was […]
4 Ways to Incorporate ‘Care’ into Small Groups
#1 Make it Simple Caring is all about making the ‘other’ our focus so caring for group members does not need to be complicated. Sometimes it is the little, simple things which can make a huge difference. Sending a text message or making a phone call just to say hi or to follow-up a prayer […]