The Power of a Spiritual Training Partner
Have you ever made the decision to lose weight or start exercising (or any number of other things) only to find that you really couldn’t do it alone? The benefit of a training partner or participating in a weight-watchers group is unquestioned. Yet, when it comes to spiritual next steps, most of us attempt to…
Read MoreLife On Life is the Essential Ingredient
"The optimal ingredient for life change is a small group." No doubt you’ve heard that line many times (or some variation of it). These days I am more convinced than ever that there is some truth to the line, but not the whole truth. I actually think it’s better to say something like, "Small groups…
Read MoreHost Gift Bags
What do you provide your hosts when they sign up? When our hosts assemble at the orientation they’ll receive a gift bag that includes a half pound bag of Starbucks coffee, a small bag of Hershey’s Kisses, a 7 Day Prayer Guide, The ABCs of a Great Start for Your Group, and nametags for their…
Read MoreHost Orientations That Launch Groups
With the launch of our own One Month to Live campaign just 2 1/2 weeks away, I thought I’d share a few secrets of a great Host Orientation…one that encourages new leaders and connects them with a coach. I’ve tried a lot of different things, tweaked the plan multiple times, and have found that a…
Read MoreCheck Out The Small Group Exchange!
Just tripped across a new site with lots of great resources. The Small Group Exchange has a wide selection of available studies. Easy to poke around a come up with a new idea or two. You’ll also find an interesting selection of free articles by a good cross-section of small group experts from around the…
Read MoreLife Change at the Member Level…Begins with You
The optimal environment for life change is a small group. We’ve all heard that line for years. Most of us have said that line so frequently that it is now an automatic response when we hear a counter opinion. And yet…is it really true? And if it is true, is it a given? Or does…
Read MoreLeadership Summit: Bayside in Granite Bay
I’ve had the privilege the last couple years to catch the Leadership Summit live and in person at Willow. This year I’m staying close to home and will join the crew over at Bayside Church in Granite Bay. Should be a good time…always is. Anybody out there planning to hit it?
Read MoreSunday Worship = Defibrillator
In making a case for the power and necessity of small group ministry, I’ve often said that the weekend service is closest in kind to a defibrillator. It can restore an irregular spiritual heartbeat to regularity…but it’s temporary. It’s not surgery or even therapy. As soon as the service is over, you’re back in the…
Read MoreFrancis Chan on Community
I’m often asked for message/sermon ideas that will help raise awareness of the need for/role of community. Don’t know if you’re down with Francis Chan but he did a great job on a very important message back in April at Cornerstone. You can download The Purpose of the Church right here. Definitely one of the…
Read MoreUsing a Blog to Keep Your Leaders Up-to-Date
If you haven’t figured it out yet, keeping your small group leaders up-to-date with what’s happening (and what’s about to happen) is very important. Helping every leader stay a little ahead of what the average member knows is essential if you want them to feel like they’re at the heart of what’s going on. I’ve…
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