In a recent post I reviewed the new edition of Bill Donahue’s Leading Life-Changing Small Groups (which is an essential resource in my opinion) and mentioned the DVD-driven companion resource, Equipping Life-Changing Leaders.  Let me say this right at the top…this is a great resource!

Several Reasons to Love Equipping Life-Changing Leaders

There are several reasons to love Equipping Life-Changing Leaders.  First, it is way more than a talking head that delivers content.  The combination of great instruction and training, testimonies from actual leaders and coaches, as well as role playing (featuring a number of Willow Creek’s actors) makes for a very engaging session.

Second, each of the sessions provide direction for the assignment ahead; a kind of roadmap that clarifies the why and makes sense of the how.  I really think this is a critical component.  In addition, the  extensive background of Bill Donahue, Russ Robinson and Greg Bowman as practitioners will lend credibility to the training process.  These three men played key roles in the development of the small group ministry at Willow Creek Community Church and their coaching exudes deep experience.

Third, I love the fact that Equipping Life-Changing Leaders includes the DVD content for three different resources in Zondervan’s Groups that Grow series.  Along with sessions that accompany Leading Life-Changing Small Groups, you’ll find sessions that accompany Coaching Life-Changing Small Group Leaders and Building a Life-Changing Small Group Ministry.  This is a tremendous value and will provide continuity that is so important.

I really think this is an extremely valuable resource.  The combination of the right content and an excellent presentation will quickly find a place in the training process for many churches intent on becoming churches where nobody stands alone.

One of the books that shaped my understanding of small group ministry was Leading Life-Changing Small Groups by Bill Donahue.  When it was originally published in the mid 90s it quickly became the most important tool in my leader training efforts.  With the 3rd edition (published in May, 2012) it’s even better!

One of the things I’ve always appreciated about Leading Life-Changing Small Groups is the fact that it really begins at the beginning…literally; the introduction develops a very understandable theology of community.  As you’re beginning to build a small group ministry this is an essential ingredient.

Another aspect that makes this book so valuable is that Bill Donahue is truly a practitioner.  Don’t miss this key.  He wrestled with developing small group leaders for years in one of the most interesting grouplife laboratories anywhere (Willow Creek Community Church).  The practices and principles included in this book aren’t theoretical, but practical and proven.

The layout of the content also provides a very helpful leader training roadmap.  Beginning with a chapter on clarifying your purpose, every chapter develops an important concept, building block by building block establishing a strong foundation.  Covering many of the basics, Leading Life-Changing Small Groups could become the core curriculum for the ongoing leader development that needs to be done in many small group ministries.  Here are topics covered:

• Clarifying Your Purpose
• Sharpening Your Leadership
• Developing Your Apprentice
• Pursuing Spiritual Growth
• Leading Life-Changing Meetings
• Measuring Group Progress
• Caring for Members
• Impacting Your World

In the 3rd edition the chapters include a variety of reflection activities, assessments, and assignments, providing a rich experience that goes well beyond a reading exercise.  This is a great development, really taking it to a whole new level.

One of the most exciting aspects of this 3rd Edition is the companion resource, Equipping Life-Changing Leaders (I’ll be reviewing this resource next week).  With a DVD-driven design, it’s not difficult to imagine the two forming a core curriculum for leader development in many churches.

I’ve been using Leading Life-Changing Small Groups for years (I actually have a worn-out, dogeared copy of the original version produced in-house by Willow Creek in the mid 90s).  I’ve used it to train leaders and I’ve used the content to shape training exercises of my own.  I’ve got to say though, this new version is definitely new and improved.  I like it and I think you will too!

A little more than a month ago I had the opportunity to preview a Willow Creek Association resource that I think you’re going to want to purchase for your small group leader training library.  STIR: Authentic Transformation in Small Groups Kit is a collection of six outstanding 30 minute sessions featuring a great list of speakers on a set of topics that can be used as ongoing training or a half or full-day event.

Great pricing?  Originally offered at $129.99, they’re available right now at $49.00.  Even better?  Enter the special code and get a seat in the online LIFT course offered in April (by itself a $225.00 value!).  A great deal at $49.00.  An awesome deal when you realize it includes the online course that features its own all-star cast (seriously, you have got to see who’s on this list).  Take advantage of this deal right here.

Along with a reproducible guide for participants and a separate guide for your facilitating ministry leader, STIR features the following speakers and topics:

• Leading From a Healthy Soul. Mindy Caliguire, Director of Transformation Ministry at the Willow Creek Association and Founder of Soul Care.
• Safe People/Dangerous Groups. Henry Cloud, PhD., Clinical Psychologist and Best-Selling Author
  
• Flawed Is the New Perfect. Heather Zempel, Discipleship Pastor at National Community Church
  
• Responding to Flaws: Case Studies. Russ Robinson, Speaker and Author.
  
• The Word Became FRESH. Bill Donahue, PhD., Speaker and Author.
  
• A Conversation About Inspiring Others to Lead. Mindy Caliguire and Mac Lake, Chief Launch Officer, The Launch Network
  

Can you see how this might fit in your leader training concept?  This is a great resource.  I highly recommend it.  You might buy it because of the price.  You’ll use it because it’s just good stuff.