Current GroupLife Trends
“What are the latest trends in small group ministry?” That was the question my friend asked recently. Makes sense to think about it. After all, as we’ve talked about many times, we’ve all got just one opportunity have “the greatest impact on the largest number of people for the longest period of time.” So it…
Read MoreJoin Me at Radicalis? (2/22 – 2/25)
I’m looking forward to some great interaction at Radicalis in just a little over a month! Hope you’re planning to check it out. In case you aren’t aware, Radicalis is a great conference. 4 days with a super wide variety of speakers (this year the list includes Matt Carter, Steven Furtick, Dave Gibbons, Pete Wilson,…
Read MoreWorking On vs Working In…Your Ministry
What have you done this week that’s had the most impact? Was it meeting a small group leader for coffee? Writing this week’s sermon-based study for the groups following the message? How about the conversation you had with the new couple looking for a group right after the 11:00 a.m. service? What have you done…
Read MoreThe Prodigal God | A New Church-Wide Campaign
The story of the Prodigal Son is one of Jesus’ best known parables. Almost anyone you ask can give you at least a little bit of an overview. But do they really get what’s going on? One of the best-selling books of 2008 was Tim Keller’s The Prodigal God: Recovering the Heart of the Christian…
Read MoreMore from Steve Gladen on Saddleback’s Small Group Coaching Strategy
Yesterday, Steve Gladen began talking about how Saddleback provides coaching and care for over 4500 small group leaders. If you missed part one, you can read it right here. In today’s continuation he’ll be talking about providing coaching and care for the group I sometimes call…well, I think I’ll let you fill in your own…
Read MoreSteve Gladen on Saddleback’s Coaching Strategy
In last week’s series of articles on small group coaching I shared an idea that I got from Steve Gladen and my friends at Saddleback. Wanting you to get the info straight from the source…I’m really honored to have Steve’s responses to some questions I emailed him last week. Here’s how it went: Mark: Saddleback…
Read MoreImagine If Your Coaching Structure Was Like This
In yesterday’s post I described what I think are some key aspects of the end in mind when you’re developing a coaching structure. Today I want to help you imagine your coaching structure as a finished–but steadily developing–product. Sounds like a contradiction in terms, I know, but I just follow me for a moment. I…
Read MoreDilbert’s Take on the Parable of the Talents
The End in Mind for an Effective Coaching Structure
Ever gotten part way into a story and realized that in order to really tell the it properly…you needed to go back and fill in a few details? Maybe you thought you could give an overview or sketch the big picture, and then as you were telling the story it got crystal clear that without…
Read More3 Keys to a Coaching Tune-Up
You made it through the holidays. You’re getting ready to start the second best run for new groups (see How to Build an Annual GroupLife Calendar). Now is a great time to evaluate the performance and readiness of your coaching team. First Key: Evaluate Your Coaching Team You’re really looking for two things. First, you’re…
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