Is It Time for a Fresh Look at Your Assumptions?
I don’t know about you, but I bet you’re not that different than me. I regularly find myself surprised by divergent opinions about things that I assumed everyone would be on board with. Just yesterday in a staff retreat virtually everyone at my table saw an idea from a completely different perspective than my senior…
Read More6 Essential Characteristics of an Effective Small Group Coach
There are differences of opinion about the importance of coaching in the small group community. Some have tried (more than once) to build a coaching structure and decided it just didn’t work in their environment. Others have tried to provide certain aspects of coaching through a “call center” approach (i.e., call this number when you…
Read MoreDoes It Really Matter If the Group Leader* Is a Believer?
File this under things that make you go hmmm. Admittedly, you might be filing it under things that make you think heretic…but I want you to seriously consider this question. I think it’s a valid question. And I think it’s a good one. Does it really matter if the group leader* is a believer? What…
Read More5 Simple Small Group Ministry Moves with Exponential Payoffs
Sometimes we know our ministry is plateaued and we need to make changes in our strategy, but we remain stuck because the changes we make are focused on the wrong variable. It’s something like a restaurant that needs to increase repeat customers but spends all its energy reimagining the color of the carpet and none…
Read MoreTop 10 Posts of April, 2014
Miss a day? Here are my 10 most popular articles of April, 2014. It’s a good mix, I think, with four posts from April and several very popular articles from the archives. How to Launch Groups Using a Small Group Connection (May, 2008) 5 Keys to Getting Everyone to Join a Group (April, 2014) Small…
Read MoreDon’t Miss This Training Video: Your Group Might Be Too Big
Looking for a video to use for leader training? Here’s one that might work as you introduce certain topics: Can’t see the video? You can watch it right here.
Read MoreIs There a “Design Limit” Ceiling on Your Small Group Ministry?
Have you ever stopped to consider that there may be a design limit ceiling on your small group ministry? Are you familiar with the term? Think of a design limit as the maximum or optimum possibility of your system. Four examples of design limits that are ceilings for small group ministries: Example #1: You are…
Read MoreWhat To Do Before You Plan Another Church-Wide Campaign
As you might imagine, I talk with church leaders almost every day about church-wide campaigns. Home runs and whiffs. What worked and what didn’t work. What was great and what was absolutely terrible. If you’re planning a church-wide campaign (or even thinking about planning one), can I give you a short list of things to…
Read MoreThe Latest on Church-Wide Campaigns (2014)
CLICK HERE FOR MY 2017 LIST Saddleback released the 40 Days of Purpose church-wide campaign in 2002. Although they had previously launched internal spiritual growth campaigns, this one really was a just-add-water option. Of course, in 2002 it really was just about the only option. Today, there are lots of options and there are more all the time.…
Read MoreSmall Group Ministry Myth #5: Only New Small Group Leaders Need a Coach
Note: This is part 5 of a 5 part series. You can read part 1 right here. —————————————————————————– I love the Discovery Channel show MythBusters. The show has a simple premise: The MythBusters team “proves and disproves urban legends and popular misconceptions using a signature style of explosive experimentation.” The myths and misconceptions that get tested range…
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