Small Group Terminology: Reconsidering Common Terms Used in Groups Ministry [Podcast]
[podcast src=”https://html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/5338073/height/26/theme/standard-mini/thumbnail/yes/direction/forward/” height=”26″ width=”100%” placement=”top” theme=”mini”]Words are powerful. As small group pastors and directors, a critical part of our role is to use words to shape vision, empower, encourage, and connect with people. But, is the terminology you are using in your ministry inadvertently creating barriers, limiting vision, and miscommunicating expectations? Andrew Mason is the Small Groups […]
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 […]
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 […]
4 Influencer Imperatives in Small Group Leadership
Bill Hybels in his 2005 Global Leadership Summit address “These Things We Must Do” gave four points, imperatives, we as leaders must do. He implored us to: Keep the vision clear Keep the people engaged Make your meetings memorable Pace yourself for the long haul This is a great list. It is simple and doable. It can […]
Women in Leadership: Practical Issues Affecting Both Men and Women in Ministry [Podcast]
[podcast src=”https://html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/5260253/height/26/theme/standard-mini/thumbnail/yes/direction/forward/” height=”26″ width=”100%” placement=”top” theme=”mini”]What does it take for women to flourish in ministry? If you or anyone on your team are asking these questions, then you’ve come to the right place! Host Carolyn Taketa interviews Awana CEO and SGN Lobby Conference speaker, Valerie Bell on her insights based on decades of ministry in various […]
The 1 Thing Your Leadership Development Pathway is Missing
When we talk “leadership development pathway,” I’ll bet you think about all of the cognitive steps leaders need to take to develop. You start to map out the markers all along the way, from trainings to gatherings to curriculum. But there’s one primary aspect of development you just might have overlooked. You can’t grow […]
Live from The Lobby Conference: Q&A with Steve Gladen
[podcast src=”https://html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/5185027/height/26/theme/standard-mini/thumbnail/yes/direction/forward/” height=”26″ width=”100%” placement=”top” theme=”mini”]Steve Gladen has served as the Global Pastor of Small Groups at Saddleback Church since 1998. He oversees the strategic launch and development of over 7,000 adult small groups on multiple campuses. Steve has authored “Small Groups With Purpose,” which has translated into eight languages to date, and “Leading Small […]
6 Quick Questions to Value Volunteers
I love sports and believe that it teaches great things like teamwork, overcoming adversity, and how to deal with success and failure. These are all super important and I believe worthwhile reasons for my children to play. I value our town rec league. It provides me an opportunity to support our local community and meet […]
7 Lessons I Learned from My First “Lobby”
I just returned from attending my first Small Group Network Lobby Gathering, and I am already looking forward to the 2018 So Cal Lobby (Register HERE), which is March 13-15, 2018! While Derek Olson captured some of the best of the best quotes from the Lobby, I want to share some of the lessons I […]
25 Small Group Quotes from “The Lobby” SoCal 2017
The largest global network of small group ministry leaders, the “Small Group Network,” annually hosts “The Lobby” small group conference in Southern California. Here are the top 25 quotes from this amazing week… People join a small group for content, but they stay for the relationships. – Rick Warren You can’t microwave a great small group […]