G12: A Cautionary Tale?
I’m asked about G12 a few times a year…not near as much as free market, semester based, or sermon based…but often enough to have had many conversations over the past few years. Here’s what I know about the G12 small group philosophy: First, at it’s essence G12 works like this: the key leader forms a…
Read MoreFinding the Flow: A Guide for Leading Small Groups and Gatherings
Looking for a leader training resource? Finding the Flow: A Guide for Leading Small Groups and Gatherings, by Tara Miller and Jenn Peppers, is one you should take a look at. New from IVP, it’s full of great leader training ideas, practices, and philosophy. This is a book length training guide. At over 240 pages…
Read MoreOpen or Closed Groups?
I’m often asked whether groups should be open or closed? It’s one of those questions that kind of defines you as a grouplifer. Open or closed? It’s kind of like Coke or Pepsi…but not very much. There are those that are a little wild-eyed about one perspective or the other. And then there are those…
Read MoreFormation: Building a Reliable Foundation
My review copy of Formation: Building a Reliable Foundation arrived a couple days ago. New from LifeWay, the Small Group Life series was launched recently. Formation is the first release of a four study series (the others to follow over the next few months). Thumbing through the pages, reading the introduction, even diving into the…
Read MoreFour Steps That Help Groups Survive the Holidays
Have you found a way to help your groups make it through the holidays? You know how it is. Groups start off with a bang in September, many times transition to a second study in mid-October, and then just before Thanksgiving reach for the pause button. “We’ve got so much going on…it just makes more…
Read MoreTop 10 Reasons I’m a Fan of Open Groups
In terms of small groups philosophy of ministry, the open or closed group question is very big. Both sides have some good arguments. Like every other argument there is no problem-free solution. Although I believe there are times when it is both appropriate and beneficial to “close” a group, for the most part I am…
Read MoreJoseph Myers on the Small Group Fraternity Call
Joseph Myers has been one of the most interesting and disruptive voices in small group land in the last decade. The Search to Belong shook up a lot of minds and introduced a new way to think about relationships. Organic Community was no different, challenging many assumptions and provoking great conversations everywhere. When Joe’s onto…
Read MoreNew from Lifeway: Small Group Life
Looking for what’s next for your small group ministry? I like what I’m beginning to hear about Lifeway’s new line, Small Group Life. Great topics, streamlined sessions, and the pricing looks great. What’s not to like? I think you’ll get the flavor from this video: Small Group Life from Lifeway.SmallGroups on Vimeo.
Read MoreEncouraging Group Leaders
Sometimes I trip across great ways to promote group life or recruit leaders and they’re so good I have to share them. If you’re ever stumped about how to encourage group leaders, to let them know how much they mean to their members and how much of a difference they make…you’ve got to see this…
Read MoreUnexplainable: Pursuing a Life Only God Can Make Possible
What in your life is unexplainable apart from God? Is there anything? Or is there a perfect explanation for everything do? For your decisions about jobs, your finances, and your relationships? If this is a question that intrigues you at all, you might want to take a look at a new 8 week DVD-driven…
Read More