A Bias Toward New Groups
What does it take to connect people at crowd’s edge? Among other things it requires a bias toward new groups. Let me unpack that statement. What Does It Mean? Let’s talk about what it means. First, a bias is “an inclination to present or hold a partial perspective at the expense of (possibly equally valid) alternatives.”…
Read MoreReview: The Controversial Jesus (featuring Erwin McManus)
What makes for an engaging DVD-driven study? To be sure, the topic of the study is a very important ingredient. Choose the right topic and people will sign up…they may even bring a friend. The topic is big. The other ingredient? There is no question that the charisma of the speaker plays a major role…
Read MoreNext Steps for Everyone…and First Steps for Their Friends
If you’ve ever heard Rick Warren say “if you steal from 10 or more it’s sheer creativity” (from the quote: If you steal from one person, it’s plagiarism. If you steal from 5 people it’s research. And if you steal from 10 or more, it’s sheer creativity.), you’ll get me when I say, I’m a very…
Read MoreIgnite a Conversation with the Q Society Room Series
One of the most interesting new series of DVD-driven curriculum isn’t specifically for the kind of group that most of us consider an ordinary small group. Still, the Q Society Room Series will provide a great experience for two important types of groups: First, if you have groups that are tracking with the cultural shifts…
Read MoreGroupLife Idealists & Pragmatists
How would you describe yourself? Are you more of an idealist? Someone who cherishes and pursues noble goals and purposes? Or would you describe yourself as more of a pragmatist? Really all about how to get results? I’ve had conversations over the years with small group practitioners from all stripes (cell church, metachurch, free market,…
Read MoreWas Jesus Really in a Closed Group?
We’ve been working through the ongoing open vs closed group debate. And there’s been a lot of good interaction. So much interaction that I came back a couple days later and added a kind of clarification in Open Groups, Closed Groups & Specialized Groups. As you know, I’m a fan of open groups. But since…
Read MoreOpen Groups, Closed Groups & Specialized Groups
How would you describe the groups in your system? Open? Closed? Specialized? Or a little bit of all three? The Ongoing Open vs Closed Group Debate generated some very thoughtful comments and great interaction. One of the aspects that surfaced more than once is that there are times when circumstances makes it preferable to be…
Read MoreScouting the Divine: An Interactive Bible Study
If you’re looking for a study that will open group member’s eyes with fresh insights about God, you need to take a look at Scouting the Divine: An Interactive Bible Study based on Margaret Feinberg’s book by the same name. Shepherds and sheep and flocks, honey, harvests and crops, vines and vineyards. Developed by Lifeway’s Threads…
Read MoreThe Ongoing Open vs Closed Group Debate
Where do you stand on the open vs closed group debate? I’ve written about this in the past (Open or Closed Groups, Do Good Groups Really Practice the Open Chair, and my spoof Top 10 Reasons I’m a Fan of Open Groups). I also like the direction Rick Howerton took the conversation in Open Small Groups…
Read MoreReview: One.Life by Scot McKnight
Sometimes I get caught up in strategy and grouplife implementation and find myself feeling dry and thirsty. When that happens, I need a certain kind of book. One that takes me straight into the path of Jesus. If you’re like me, you need that kind of book from time to time, too. One.Life: Jesus Calls,…
Read More