3 Steps You Can Take TODAY to Build a Healthier Groups Ministry
We just had the Purpose Driven Church Conference at Saddleback. There were thousands of pastors that came to learn and grow. I was talking with one whose question was really good. How can we possibly make sure groups don’t go crazy? I mean, we have so many scattered all over the place. We don’t […]
2 Exclusive Resources to Energize Your Small Group Ministry
#1 SMALL GROUP LEADERSHIP TRAINING KIT Q What is your strategy to recruit and equip your small group leaders? Q Do your group leaders clearly understand their assignment? Created by Steve Gladen, Global Pastor of the Small Group Ministry at Saddleback Church, this resource is designed with you, the Small Group Point Person, in mind. God doesn’t call […]
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 […]
Preventative Maintenance > Fixing The Whole House
You need volunteers to support your small group ministry. You need to build your infrastructure. EVERY church does, including Saddleback! Infrastructures don’t build themselves, repair themselves, or naturally strengthen over time, whether we’re talking about physical structures or ministries we’re called to lead. In Southern California, most homes are built on a concrete slab […]
Small Group Q&A: Adam Workman of Sandals Church
Q Do you need some encouragement, fresh strategies and practical advice as a small group point person? If your answer is “Yes,” then you’ve come to the right place! Adam Workman is the Discipleship Pastor at Sandals church in Riverside CA as well as the Small Group Network regional leader for Southern California/ Hawaii region! In this […]
Building a Small Group Ministry Model – 4 Things I Learnt from a Bus Company
Destination is integral Think about it. You don’t get on board a bus unless you know where it is going! You look at the sign or number of the bus and jump on when you are sure it is going where you want to go. It is the same when setting up a small group […]
Designing Your Small Group Ministry Model
One of the initial steps to take in order to launch (or re-launch) a small groups ministry, is to design and define your groups model. Paying close attention to this step will reduce confusion, attract the right leaders and filter out peoples’ personal agendas and/or past experiences. There are roughly ten or so different small […]
One IS the Loneliest Number!
ONE IS the Loneliest Number! The opening line of the Harry Nillson song goes like this; “One is the loneliest number that you’ll ever do”…… Nillson’s song was covered by the band Three Dog Night and reached number five on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 in 1969. That is a long time ago, but the opening […]
How a Fire Pit Revolutionized My Coaching Strategy
No matter how many groups you have, what group model you use, or what part of the world you are in, one thing is true in all of our ministries: group leaders need coaching! Throughout my time hanging around the Small Group Network in our local huddle and at the Lobby Gathering, I’ve noticed that […]
Small Group Leadership: Starting From Scratch
I’m new at this. I took on leadership of small groups at my church in early 2017. Immediately, I signed up for The Lobby – my first small group conference experience! It was exciting – and a bit intimidating, to be honest. I felt like the new kid in school. But I came home feeling encouraged, equipped, and motivated to […]