“Must Learn” To Do List: #1 View the World Around You with Fresh Eyes
Want to connect people no one else is connecting? I think your very first step is to “learn to view the world around you with fresh eyes.” It’s so critical! It’s built into all of us to grow accustomed to the way it is, to look right at glaring issues and completely miss the obvious…because…
Read MoreHow to Calm an Unconnected Person’s Second Greatest Fear
We’ve all seen the studies that show that people are more afraid of speaking in public than they are of dying, right? Or…you’ve at least heard that statistic referenced in a sermon. But what about when it comes to grouplife? What are unconnected people really afraid of? Here’s what I remind my team about all…
Read MoreTop 10 Posts of March, 2012
Here are my top 10 posts of March, 2012. It’s always interesting to me to see which articles are actually getting read the most. In part because I choose an article or two everyday from the over 800 in my archives and tweet and post them to Facebook, I guess it’s not really surprising that…
Read MoreTop 10 Reasons to Discontinue Small Group Coaching
First of all, you’re not alone. Okay? Everyone’s had these thoughts from time to time. Here are the top 10 reasons to discontinue small group coaching: We tried coaching back in 1988 after a Meta Church conference and it never really caught on. The coaches we recruited in 1988 have a lifetime gig like a…
Read MoreThe Futility of the Mainstream
What’s your plan for connecting the rest of the unconnected people in your congregation? Have a plan? Thinking about a plan? What’s your plan for connecting the people beyond the usual suspects who join you this Easter? Or next Christmas Eve? Have a plan? Thinking about a plan? Ever? One thing I am absolutely convinced…
Read MoreTWELVE Plus: Saddleback’s 2012 Online Small Group Conference
Looking for a great conference focusing on small group ministry? I can’t tell you how often I’m asked to recommend a conference that is designed for small group ministry leaders from the ground up. Several times a week at a minimum. What do I tell them? The best thing going in terms of content and…
Read MoreWhat Story Do You Want to Tell?
I don’t often ask you to do this, but today I really want to encourage you to try an experiment with me. It’s a three step experiment. Here’s the first step: I want you to try and think ahead to next year at this time. Imagine yourself one year from now. Maybe you’re sitting in…
Read MoreSpiritual Rhythms in Community: Being Together in the Presence of God
Looking for resources that expose your groups to spiritual practices? You might want to take a look at Spiritual Rhythms in Community: Being Together in the Presence of God. New from author and speaker Keith Meyer, this resource is intended to be used by groups. While explicitly not intended for use outside of community, I…
Read MoreDilbert on Ignorance
Sometimes you just need to laugh. And as a side note, you can remember this cartoon the next time your recommendation is rejected…
Read MoreCan I Tell What’s Important by Looking at Your Church’s Homepage?
I’ve written about the importance of website presence before. I’ll probably write about it again. For today, I only want to focus on one thing. I can tell from your website what’s really important at your church. Believe me? Here’s how I do it: First, what is really important is mentioned right on the homepage.…
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