What To Do Right Now? (to get where you want to go in 2012)
Note: I’ve updated this article to apply to 2011-12. What do you do when you take a trip? Are you one that takes out a piece of paper and begins jotting down all the things you need to do and then puts all the things in a kind of checklist? Or…do you just jump in…
Read MoreHow To Make the Small Group Ask
Regardless of the strategy you use to invite unconnected people to join a small group or to consider hosting a group in their home, learning how to effectively ask people to take a next step is essential. Done poorly, you’ll get a weak response. Done well, you’ll get a great response. Here are the four…
Read MoreEssential Ingredients for a Meaningful Small Group
I recently got an email from Peter that asked, “What are the essential ingredients to making a great life group and how do I get them?” That is a great question! Let’s take an initial stab…and then open up shop for comments (or further questions) that you might have. The essential ingredients to making a…
Read MoreGetting To There…Personally
Most of us have been on the way somewhere and suddenly had doubts that we were going the right way. You know the feeling. You're driving and the Google map directions don't make sense so you keep going even though you don't come across the street you're looking for. And then the street dead ends. …
Read More4 Keys To Customizing Your Small Group Strategy
In the same way that you have a unique fingerprint…so does your church. You may have “borrowed” the mission statement from another church, but when you look under the hood you’re not the same. You are unique. You’re made unique by the custom combination of passions, gifts and abilities of your members. You’re made unique…
Read MoreNEXT: 2009 Saddleback Small Group Conferences
Already jazzed about four locations in 2009! February 19-21, Lake Forest, CA March 26-28, The Woodlands, TX April 23-25, Norcross, GA May 14-16, Cincinnati, OH You can find out more or register right here. I'll have more on my breakouts when the details become available. For now, put down the dates and join me at…
Read MoreSmall Group Fraternity
Looking for a way to stay up on the latest small group ministry strategies? Take advantage of the Small Group Fraternity! What's the Small Group Fraternity about? Exposure to the best strategies and latest ideas in small group ministry Your whole team can participate Interviews with people like Carl George, Bill Donahue and Joe Myers…
Read MoreActivate: An Entirely New Approach to Small Groups
I originally reviewed Activate in 2008. Still a great resource, I think this is must-reading for small group pastors who want to understand how a semester system can work. Here’s my review: ———————– Looking for a soup-to-nuts primer on small group ministry? For most churches, Activate: An Entirely New Approach to Small Groups by Nelson…
Read MoreHow Important Is It To Have An Apprentice? (Part Two)
I began this discussion in an earlier post. You'll remember that I suggested that there is a question that precedes the one we're discussing here. If you haven't read part one, you should do that now and then come back. You back? Ok…now let's talk about whether apprenticing is important. First off, let's be honest. Apprenticing…
Read MoreHelp Your Groups Survive the Holidays
Few things are more deadly to a small group than a break in the action. Why? Because absence doesn’t always make the heart grow fonder, especially for a new group. Many times a break, for example from Thanksgiving through New Year’s, is just the ticket to destroy the growing sense of connection among group members. …
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