Igniting Small Group Innovation: 5 Questions to Move Past Fear
It’s easy to let thoughts about failure and criticism hold you and your Small Groups back from innovation. All you have to do is nothing, just keep doing the same things, and you’ll continue to just drift along. When was the last time, in those fleeting moments of honest, self-reflection, you came to the realization […]
The #1 Gift You Can Give Your Small Group Leaders
Throughout my time as a Small Group Point Person, the hunt for the perfect gift for my leaders has been a challenge that, at times, has caused me considerable angst. I’m sure you know what I mean. Christmas is right around the corner, and you want to get something for your leaders that communicates value, […]
Small Group Trends: Are you doing these 4 things?
It used to be that only a few people at the top had all the power. Those living in the rarified air near or at the top of an organization chart, the greater the weight of their opinions and influence. Only leaders at the top, the people in front, had both authority and power to […]
10 Ways to Build Leadership Lifelines
The relationships that leaders have with others who serve in a similar capacity as they do need to be nurtured in a team format. Healthy interconnectedness among leaders results in a sticky small group ministry. If leaders stick and grow…healthy members will follow. If members stick and grow…the church flourishes. This demonstrates itself through consistent […]
Dances With Calendars: 4 Tips When Calendaring Your Small Groups
There is no other activity that’s good for “absolutely nothing” like calendaring. But as small group ministry leaders who are often thinking about late-summer recruiting, fall-launches, winter-holiday breaks, leader-training, etc – mapping out a calendar with our teams is usually something we are doing and re-doing throughout the year. When Dances with Wolves hit theaters […]
Ecclesiastical Kleptomaniacs
It seems to me that a lot of churches are struggling. We know that statistically around 80% of our churches are plateaued or are declining. Many die every year. But, there some churches in America that are thriving. Outreach Magazine prints a list every year of the 100 Fastest Growing and 100 Largest Churches. Recently […]
Avoiding Pitfalls in Small Group Dynamics
Community is messy business! Having differences in a small group, acknowledging disappointments and hurt feelings, running up against frustrations and challenges is all part of moving to deeper maturity in community and Christ-likeness. In fact, conflict can be the very thing that helps your group to break-through to new levels of honesty and freedom in […]
Monica Lee – This Is How I Small Group
This Is How I Small Group is a periodic series about getting to know members of the small group. Some will have decades of experience; others will be brand new to small group ministry. Each one has a unique perspective that makes them invaluable to their church and to the small group network. Name: Monica Lee […]
How to Design Your Own Community Life Calendar
A calendar shapes your culture of community in many ways because it helps to set priorities, puts communications in motion, and lets your people know what to expect. Forecasting how people can connect reveals that biblical community is an actual value of your church, projects your leadership expectations, and helps people to prepare. Start by […]
Ideas on How to Create Your Own Small Group Curriculum
“How can I prepare, write, and publish small group curriculum?” I saw this question raised on the Small Group Network Facebook page the other day. I thought to myself, “This is the one topic I actually know something about.” I began writing curriculum when I was a small group pastor, and it has evolved into […]
