3 Keys to Managing Change in Your Small Group Ministry
When starting a small group ministry, you are eager to see the fruit of your labor. But building before the foundation is ready always proves unwise. Whenever a new idea is introduced, acceptance of change runs pretty true to the Rogers Diffusion of Innovation Bell Curve. You will typically encounter about 16 percent eager early […]
3 Ways to Have Great “Huddle” Conversations
Have you ever wanted to share ideas and learn from other Small Group Point People? Ever wish there was a way to connect with people and share wins and struggles with small groups? Good news! Spaces for this and friends like this exist in Small Group Network “Huddles!” Huddles are created for the purpose of […]
The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why it Matters [PODCAST]
[podcast src=”https://html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/7182680/height/26/theme/standard-mini/thumbnail/yes/direction/forward/” height=”26″ width=”100%” placement=”top” theme=”mini”] This month’s group talk podcast features an insightful discussion regarding the book “The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why it Matters” by Priya Parker. Host Carolyn Taketa joins joins special guests Nick Lenzi (Dinner Group Director) & Andrew Camp (Former chef) to discuss the art of gathering. […]
5 Group-Hacks to a Stronger Small Group
How many times have you heard your grandparents or parents tell you about how they walked “up the hill, through the snow” to elementary school and back home? I always enjoyed hearing those stories and then teasing my father about how old he was, when he finished. Although very few enjoy navigating difficult seasons, we […]
Embracing Diversity: 3 Tips for Leading Diverse Groups
For small group point people, the line, we’re better together, is not a catchy tagline, it is a core value of small group ministry. How you apply that core value is different in each of your communities. For some, applying the idea of doing life together means finding people like you, those who look like […]
What Should Groups Study? w/ Chris Surratt
[podcast src=”https://html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/7054617/height/26/theme/standard-mini/thumbnail/yes/direction/forward/” height=”26″ width=”100%” placement=”top” theme=”mini”]Topic: A question we frequently field from our small group leaders is, “What should we study?” There is an overwhelming range of materials and topics to choose from and it is critical to choose curriculum wisely. What a group chooses to study has a significant impact on group dynamics and […]
Rick Warren: Why You Need the Safety Net of a Small Group
With close to 30,000 weekend attenders across all 19 campuses, Saddleback church is proud of the fact that they have more people in small groups than actually attend on the weekends! Enjoy this quick video of Pastor Rick Warren sharing why everyone needs the safety net of a small group! Enjoy the southern hospitality […]
Its More than Missional: The 5 Verbs Your Groups Need to Live Out
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued […]
Community Formation and Stone Soup
A little while ago, I wrote on the power of food as it relates to being formed into community. Because of our technological age, which is premised on easy everywhere, we have somehow become less connected. Authentic, transformative relationships seem harder. One of the most beautiful aspects of eating together is in the mutual recognition […]
3 Ways to Capture Small Group Momentum
When you meet me, it won’t take very long for you to figure out that I am a huge Philadelphia Eagles fan. I have been since I was 5 years old. As a result of the Eagles winning the Super Bowl, I have received hundreds of offers to buy books and products celebrating last season. […]