Small Groups For Singles [Podcast]
[podcast src=”https://html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/8772731/height/26/theme/standard-mini/thumbnail/yes/direction/forward/” height=”26″ width=”100%” placement=”top” theme=”mini”] Between people marrying at older ages or never marrying, co-habitation, and divorce rates, there is a large increasing population of singles in our churches spanning several decades. Yet, singles often report feeling lonely, isolated, or stigmatized in the church which typically focus on marriages and families. So how can we serve […]
5 Questions to Ask Your Small Group Leaders
As a Small Group Point Person, it is so important to connect with your small group leaders regularly. This action cannot be overdone and is vital to leaders feeling valued. It is also essential to communicate in various methods throughout each semester and calendar year. Phone conversations may be more useful for one leader, while […]
What Do Small Groups and Hot Chocolate Have in Common?
The day after Christmas, my wife and I, along with our two girls (ages 2 ½ and 6 months), hopped on a plane and flew to southern California to visit my parents and some other friends and family. My parents, being amazing grandparents, had the food items that they knew our toddler loved, like chicken […]
Steve Gladen: Making Key Decisions for Critical Impact [PODCAST]
[podcast src=”https://html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/8409515/height/26/theme/standard-mini/thumbnail/yes/direction/forward/” height=”26″ width=”100%” placement=”top” theme=”mini”] This podcast focuses on some key decisions that will have a critical impact on shaping the values, strategies, and culture of your groups ministry for years to come. Steve is the Global Pastor of Small Groups at Saddleback Church since 1998. He oversees the strategic launch and development of over […]
12 Book Recommendations for 2019
As leaders, one of our tasks is to continue to learn. I have heard it said that great leaders never stop learning. And in 2018, a number of your colleagues read some great books that they would recommend to you. So here are 11 books recommended by other small group point people in the Small […]
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 […]
Is Your Training Boring?
In his book, Planning Small Groups with Purpose, Steve Gladen says one of the roles of the Small Group Point Person is to “Keep encouraging your entire leadership team to model maturity and continued growth.” One of the ways Small Group Point People encourage growth is through training events for Small Group Leaders. However, for […]
