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One of the first books I read about small group ministry was Successful Home Cell Groups by Dr. David Yonggi Cho, the fantastic story of the “smallest and largest” church in the world, the Full Gospel Central Church in Seoul, Korea.  This served as my introduction to the Cell Church model in 1988.  In the [...]

I’m often asked whether groups should be open or closed?  It’s one of those questions that kind of defines you as a grouplifer.  Open or closed?  It’s kind of like Coke or Pepsi…but not very much. There are those that are a little wild-eyed about one perspective or the other.   And then there are those [...]

My review copy of Formation: Building a Reliable Foundation arrived a couple days ago.  New from LifeWay, the Small Group Life series was launched recently.  Formation is the first release of a four study series (the others to follow over the next few months). Thumbing through the pages, reading the introduction, even diving into the [...]

In terms of small groups philosophy of ministry, the open or closed group question is very big.  Both sides have some good arguments.  Like every other argument there is no problem-free solution.  Although I believe there are times when it is both appropriate and beneficial to “close” a group, for the most part I am [...]

Looking for what’s next for your small group ministry?  I like what I’m beginning to hear about Lifeway’s new line, Small Group Life.  Great topics, streamlined sessions, and the pricing looks great.  What’s not to like?  I think you’ll get the flavor from this video: Small Group Life from Lifeway.SmallGroups on Vimeo.

What in your life is unexplainable apart from God?   Is there anything?  Or is there a perfect explanation for everything do?  For your decisions about jobs, your finances, and your relationships? If this is a question that intrigues you at all, you might want to take a look at a new 8 week DVD-driven [...]

Looking for a challenging journey?  Sacred Roads: Exploring the Historic Paths of Faith may be just the ticket.  New from Threads, Lifeway’s young adult and college line, this one takes you on a pilgrimage in a “search for discipleship discoveries” designed to help you re-imagine and re-invent the way it happens in the 21st century. [...]

What produces a genuinely deep connection?  Is it just time spent with someone?  Or are there other essential  ingredients? When I listed what I called the top 10 axiomatic beliefs of group life, I included the belief that “the longer a group is together the more deeply connected the members become.”  I’ve heard this argued [...]

You’re reading this…so you already know that the optimum environment for life-change is a small group.  Right?  After all, that is one of the key axiomatic beliefs of small group ministry enthusiasts everywhere. The question is, “Is it true that a group is the optimum environment for life-change?”  Or are there some factors that must [...]

How dry is the cement around what’s possible in your discipleship effort?  Pretty firm?  Room to wiggle?  As we continue to think about how to help more people experience genuine life-change, I find myself drawn again to ideas in Gary Hamel’s The Future of Management.  Here are four questions he uses to maximize the chances [...]