5 Takeaways From The “Lobby Gathering” 2019
I just got back from the Lobby Gathering Small Group conference in SoCal and had an amazing time. I learned so much and met so many great people. But, if I were to sum up my highlights and takeaways, I’d say there are five things that stuck out to me the most. The world needs […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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. […]
Prepping the Soil of your Small Group Ministry
The house that my wife and I bought just over a year ago now has a wonderful little garden plot off to the side of the house. The previous owners had done a great job making it a place that will be great to grow vegetables. However, our first summer there we were just acclimating […]
