The Nuts & Bolts of Sermon-Based Curriculum for Small Groups [Podcast]
[podcast src=”https://html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/5452736/height/26/theme/standard-mini/thumbnail/yes/direction/forward/” height=”26″ width=”100%” placement=”top” theme=”mini”]“What will our groups study?” This is a common question in groups ministry and one that is critically important in shaping the dynamics and discipleship process of a group. The sermon based model has been increasingly popular over the past decade and can be a valuable tool to helping groups […]
Small Group Q&A: Adam Workman of Sandals Church
Q Do you need some encouragement, fresh strategies and practical advice as a small group point person? If your answer is “Yes,” then you’ve come to the right place! Adam Workman is the Discipleship Pastor at Sandals church in Riverside CA as well as the Small Group Network regional leader for Southern California/ Hawaii region! In this […]
Are Your Leaders Getting the Appreciation They Need?
Look up the definition of the word, “appreciate.” You might find this definition: “To recognize the full worth of.” It’s a definition I recently came across. It made me realize this is a practice that’s desperately needed for our ministry leaders. Whenever I share my testimony I mention the first small group I was ever […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 Power of Food and Community Formation
Food and small groups. To many of us they are probably inseparable. You can’t have a small group without food (it is after all the S of Saddleback’s HOST model). And where there is food, there is probably a small group. But why? Have you ever stopped to consider the power of food in both […]
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 […]
