4 Practices for Onboarding Small Group Leaders (During and After a Pandemic)
Over the previous several months, communities and cultures have been overturned as they learn to operate with a brand new set of realities and rules. It is clear that each country, region, and even city has reacted vastly different from each other. Despite the differences, there are some common practices that we, as small group […]
Saddleback’s Top Ten Small Group Ministry Commitments
Accelerate the health & growth of your small group ministry by attending one of these “Accelerate” Small Group Workshops! Over the years we have been asked for guidance about starting, leading, and sustaining a healthy small group ministry. Trust me when I tell you, we haven’t always done it right, nor have we figured it […]
9 Questions Before Starting Online Small Groups
The most asked question I get from pastors is always about online small groups. How does Saddleback Church do online small groups? How do they meet? How do you train leaders? Do you ship materials to group members? These are all great questions you need to be asking! The Online Campus at Saddleback Church has […]
5 Keys to Creating Great Curriculum
#1. Always start with the end in mind. Where do you want to lead your group members? What steps do they need to take to get there? Make each step a lesson. #2. Back each lesson with Scripture. The Bible is God’s Word to us (2 Timothy 3:16). God’s Word is living and active (Hebrews […]
Top 5 Podcasts of 2018
2018 was an incredible year for the Small Group Network! One of our Top 11 Highlights of 2018 was that our “Group Talk” Podcast surpassed 100,000 downloads! A big thank you to our Host and Director of Podcast Communications Carolyn Taketa, our Producer and Creative Arts Director Jason Banzhoff and to every special guest who interviewed! Here […]
How Did You Do? Reflecting On Your 2018 [PODCAST]
[podcast src=”https://html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/7861820/height/26/theme/standard-mini/thumbnail/yes/direction/forward/” height=”26″ width=”100%” placement=”top” theme=”mini”]Guest: Reid Smith Topic: How did you do? Year-end review of your church, ministry, and self. Why reflect on the past year what to evaluate? Measuring progress – hard versus soft data How do you know if group life and community is in the culture of the church? What are […]
Recruiting Your C-Team
Most businesses have a C Suite – the CEO, CFO, COO, CTO, and so on – the top executives, the brain trust that keeps the business on track. Rather than “suite,” I prefer the word “team” from the sports arena, where one person calls the plays and a team makes it happen. Each player knows […]
How To Craft a Small Group Agreement [PODCAST]
[podcast src=”https://html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/7613099/height/26/theme/standard-mini/thumbnail/yes/direction/forward/” height=”26″ width=”100%” placement=”top” theme=”mini”]Everyone enters a new small group with spoken and unspoken expectations. Small group agreements or covenants are a helpful tool to discuss and establish the primary goals of the group as well as important guidelines for group members. We will discuss the process of establishing an agreement and the essential […]
5 Habits Every SG Point Person Should Practice on Sunday
A few years ago, I found myself aimlessly wandering through the church atrium. I thought to myself, “Why are you even here!?” I felt challenged in that moment to increase my presence on Sundays. Although I didn’t have a role that was expressed as vividly as worship pastor, preacher, or children’s minister, I did have […]
Small Groups in the Way of Chick-Fil-A
We should be about more than just selling chicken. We should be a part of our customers’ lives and the communities in which we serve.” – S. Truett Cathy (Chick-Fil-A Founder) Infamously closed on Sundays so their employees can rest and worship, the faith-based fast-food chain Chick-fil-A has grown from one store in Atlanta 50 […]
