5 Ways to End 2017 Well
As a small group point person it can be tempting to always look ahead. You need to be especially connected to your church’s calendar to plan ahead. The pipeline of new leaders will not fill itself. Ministry growth takes investment so you look forward. However, looking back can be just as important and influential as […]
4 Scientific Reasons Small Groups Should Practice Gratitude
1 Thessalonians 5:18 tells us to, “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” Gratitude is central to our walk as Christians. We see the important role it plays in relating with God and others. In our modern age we have the benefit of science, […]
3 Simple Strategies to Increase Dialogue in Groups
As a small group point person, you understand the complexities of building strong community and how intricate a process that is. However, you also want to put simple, easy-to-implement tools in the hands of your small group leaders. Some groups benefit from a nudge in the right direction. One change or addition can open a […]
Two Questions That Every Small Group Point Person Should Be Asking
As a small group point person, you know to ask what’s happening in groups. It’s the only way to know how best to help. What topics are you discussing? What is the next study you’re planning? What is your attendance like? What is the number of new people you can take? But if that’s the […]
3 Ways to Grow Through a Crisis
“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33b Make a list of the top 3 times of growth in your life. Odds are quite high that 1, 2, or 3 of them were “troublesome” times. Maybe you brought the trouble on yourself by going to graduate […]
Do Your Leaders Have the Gratitude Attitude?
I was speaking to a friend recently about a particularly hard time in his life. Work was a mess, there were family curve balls, and he had some friends who betrayed him. There was almost nothing left to go wrong. Until that final thing went wrong. “I was turning into a cranky old man […]
Why Do You Do What You Do?
When is the last time you had a powerful sense of your “why”? Are you feeling fully connected and motivated? At a training last week the facilitator showed a video created by Cleveland Clinic, a medical practice in Ohio. The title of the video was, “Empathy: The Human Connection to Patient Care.” The rest of […]
Are Your Leaders Getting the Appreciation They Need?
Look up the definition of the word, “appreciate.” You might find this definition: “To recognize the full worth of.” It’s a definition I recently came across. It made me realize this is a practice that’s desperately needed for our ministry leaders. Whenever I share my testimony I mention the first small group I was ever […]
How You’re Missing out on Feedback
Church people like to give feedback. It comes from a healthy place. Congregation members share directly because they are speaking the truth in love about something they see in you. Matthew 18 conversations help people get to the bottom of conflict. Sins get confessed. Miscommunicated sermon points get corrected. If you’re considering vocational ministry or […]
3 Values to Cling to in a Busy Season
No one is immune to the many demands of life. Everyone has a busy season. You would think the more active we are the more we would rely on God. Unfortunately, that’s often not the case. When the demands of ministry, work, family, and more weigh on us we often lean more on our own […]
