2 Exclusive Resources to Energize Your Small Group Ministry
#1 SMALL GROUP LEADERSHIP TRAINING KIT Q What is your strategy to recruit and equip your small group leaders? Q Do your group leaders clearly understand their assignment? Created by Steve Gladen, Global Pastor of the Small Group Ministry at Saddleback Church, this resource is designed with you, the Small Group Point Person, in mind. God doesn’t call […]
3 Areas of Growth After Learning the Hard Way
I am not writing this as an expert, but I am currently learning some valuable lessons the hard way. In May, as this Small Group Semester came to a close, I began to call a few groups to ask about their summer plans. As I hung up the phone with one group leader, my worst […]
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 […]
Why Do You Do What You Do?
When is the last time you had a powerful sense of your “why”? Are you feeling fully connected and motivated? At a training last week the facilitator showed a video created by Cleveland Clinic, a medical practice in Ohio. The title of the video was, “Empathy: The Human Connection to Patient Care.” The rest of […]
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 […]
Why Safety is Priority #1
We all want people to grow, and it’s safe to say that we are all on the same page about groups being a primary driver in that growth. But what is it about groups that move people down the path of discipleship? What paves the way for healing, learning, and transformation? The more complete answer? […]
The Power of Food and Community Formation, Part 2
Last month, I began a series of posts on the power of food and community formation. Throughout Scripture, shared meals around a shared table become the primary vehicle through which God shares and invites His people into the redemption of His kingdom. Not only did God use the table to invite us into redemption, but […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
