What Gets You Mad Enough to Punch Someone? Here’s Mine
Luckily (or providentially, depending on your world view) he was on the other side of a board room table. I did have the urge to punch him, though. I was saved by the width of the table. What got me mad enough to punch him? Believe it or not, it was his assumption that small…
Read MoreShallow Small Group: A Video That Sets Up the Value of Authentic Community
Looking for a way to emphasize what groups are really about? Shallow Small Group may be just the ticket! If there’s such a thing as a new classic in small group promotion, this one joins a very short list! Can’t see the video? You can watch it right here.
Read MoreFAQ: How Should We Respond to Objections about Who Can Host?
I get a lot of questions. This one is so important I wanted to share at least part of it with you. Here’s their situation: We have been recruiting hosts using all of your suggestions, principles, scripts, etc. We even said that a non-Christian could host a group. We entirely dropped recruiting group “guides” (this…
Read MoreRightNow Training: A 21st Century Approach to Leadership Training and Development
Looking for a high-quality solution for training and developing leaders? If you haven’t taken a look at RightNow Training…you might be missing out. Developed by the folks at RightNow.org, this resource has a lot to offer. RightNow Training allows you to customize and email training videos directly to your small group leaders (or Bible study…
Read More“You Can’t Make Disciples in a Group,” He Said.
“We all know that groups are about community,” he said. “And everyone knows you can’t make disciples in a group.” “Actually,” I said, “I don’t agree with that. After all, Jesus made disciples in a group. It was the practice of rabbis in his day. You made disciples in a group. They weren’t seated in…
Read MoreWhat in Your Ministry Is Off-Limits for Debate?
I love this edition of the Andy Stanley Leadership Podcast. On the topic of introducing change, this is an essential listen! (See below to listen to the podcast) There’s a lot to digest in the podcast, but the section I listened to several times had to do with a quote about assumptions included in Andy…
Read MoreDisciples Are Rarely Made in Rows
Maybe it depends on your definition of disciple, but in my experience disciples are rarely made in rows. Don’t get me wrong. Rows are good for some things. You can fit more chairs in a room that’s set up theater style…in rows. You can disseminate information to a larger group seated…in rows. You can leverage the…
Read MoreDon’t Miss This Exciting Pilot Program for The Gospel Project
One of the most interesting projects going in small group curriculum is The Gospel Project. With Ed Stetzer as General Editor and Trevin Wax as Managing Editor, there is a commitment to some very high standards. At the same time, the advisory council for this project is quite a group. Matt Chandler, James MacDonald, and…
Read MoreBirds and Bees: A Conversation about God, Sex and Sexuality
Took a look this weekend at Birds and Bees: A Conversation about God, Sex and Sexuality, a new study from Threads (LifeWay’s young adult line of curriculum). The study was written by Gregg Matte, senior pastor of Houston’s First Baptist Church and founder of Breakaway Ministries at Texas A&M University, one of the largest weekly…
Read MorePurpose First, Strategy Second, Structure Third
What comes first? Strategy or structure? According to Peter Drucker it’s a no brainer. “Only a clear definition of the mission (purpose) makes possible clear and realistic business objectives. It is the foundation for priorities, strategies, plans and work assignments…Structure follows strategy. Strategy determines what the key activities are in a given business. And strategy…
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