I See Dead Groups
“Our small group just doesn’t have the energy it used to.” Seeming genuinely perplexed, he continued, “We’re really not sure what we should do. We’ve decided to take a break this fall. But maybe it’s best to just move on? It just feels stale. Any ideas?” Maybe you’ve had this conversation with a leader. Maybe…
Read MoreYour Pick: Gamaliel or Simon Peter?
We tend to think that the leader identification and selection challenge is a modern problem. It’s not. Faced with the challenge, Jesus “went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them (Luke 6:12-16).” I just want…
Read MoreThe 12 Were Not Chosen from the Core
You probably know this…but the Twelve were not chosen from the usual suspects. I know for some that line all by itself might cause you to lump me in with the riffraff. Sorry about that. But sometimes the truth hurts. It’s true, though. When Jesus selected the twelve apostles, they were not first round material.…
Read MoreVeneer…a Book You Should Be Reading
Want to reach the widening 60% that can’t be reached by the attractional model? Developing a deeper cultural awareness is absolutely essential. As part of my process I read Veneer: Living Deeply in a Surface Society by Timothy Willard and Jason Locy. I noticed Veneer and requested a copy after seeing a Qideas tweet (www.qideas.org), because I’m…
Read MoreP.S. May You Always Hear the Music
On a nearly daily basis I’m reminded that in order to reach the widening 60% (who will never be reached with the attractional model) we will need to rearrange priorities. No doubt this is true for almost all of us. Tripping across a great line from Gary Hamel’s Competing for the Future, I remembered what…
Read MoreGroupLife Reading List for Summer 2011
Started putting your summer grouplife reading list together? If you’ve been along for this ride, you know I am always reading. I’ve just found that we can all learn so much from other practitioners and reading a book makes it easy. I’m a big believer in including your team in what you read, as well.…
Read MoreRead the Bible for Life: A Whole Church Experience from Lifeway
Searching for ways to increase biblical literacy in your church? A new church-wide campaign from Lifeway, Read the Bible for Life may be a solution. Based on George Guthrie’s popular book by the same title, this study will be a valuable resource for many churches. The Leader Kit for the whole church campaign includes three…
Read MoreBuild the Bridge as You Walk On It
What kind of system builder are you? Are you the kind that needs every i dotted and every t crossed? Or can you roll with “good enough?” Do you need full disclosure and fine print? Or can you take your first steps with a handshake and the gut sense that you’re heading in the general…
Read MoreSaved by the Herd
Looking for a video that shows the value of being in a small group in times of trouble? We had Kenny Luck (Everyman Ministries, Men’s Pastor at Saddleback) in to do a conference for men and he showed this video at very end; to help men understand that life is dangerous to do on your…
Read MoreReplenish: Leading from a Healthy Soul
Had a chance this week to read Lance Witt’s new book, Replenish: Leading from a Healthy Soul. Witt is the founder of Replenish Ministries and former executive and teaching pastor at Saddleback Church where he helped develop and lead the 40 Days of Purpose and 40 Days of Community Campaigns. He’s often called a “pastor’s…
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