How to Launch Groups Using a Small Group Connection: Preparation
Note: I posted a 2016 update to this article right here. I’ve made significant improvements to the way I use the small group connection strategy.
Read MoreDVD-Driven Curriculum
Looking for a way to help more of your congregation have a toe-in-the-water experience with a small group? You’ll find some recommended church-wide campaign ideas right here. You can find my reviews to the newest DVD-driven curriculum right here. Below you’ll find some of the DVD-driven small group studies that you should know about: Experiencing…
Read MoreThe Last 10%
Great post today over at Big Ideas about Small Groups about saying the last 10%. Whether you’re talking confrontation or leader development there is always a temptation to say a lot of what you need to and then walk away without saying the last 10%. Take a look at what Carter has to say about…
Read MoreHow to Develop Video or Live Testimony That Recruits Leaders or Members
When it comes to promoting small group ministry opportunities nothing comes close to the power of personal testimony (live or video). While that statement might not be a mystery, in practice most of us end up doing the least effective thing instead. In the great hierarchy of marketing effectiveness the least effective is print (I’ve…
Read MoreIf I Was Starting Today: Part 7
(This is part 7 of a 7 part series. You can read part 1 right here) If I knew then what I know now…I’d take advantage of the central role of the senior pastor. This is a huge concept and absolutely explains a key difference between churches that with groups and churches of groups (see…
Read MoreAlignment
The concept of an alignment, or a church-wide campaign, (the combination of a weekend message series and a small group curriculum) is probably the most important spiritual growth development in the last hundred years. Preaching in series allows an idea to be fully developed. Adding the element of a small group study that complements the…
Read MoreThe Titanic, Your Lobby and Lifeboat 14
Storytelling is one of the most important aspects of building a dynamic small group culture. Telling the right stories, choosing the right metaphors, makes all the difference in communication. Buy-in is almost always a direct result of the spot-on selection of the stories you tell. One of the stories I tell all the time when…
Read MoreGroup Life 2008
I’m excited! This year (after attending for years) I get to be part of Willow’s Group Life 2008 conference! That is very exciting for me. I’ll be doing my workshop Getting to There: Building a Dynamic Small Group Ministry. Lots of fun to do it. Always fun to see everybody. Sidenote: My breakout is on…
Read MoreStay Out of the Ice Cream Carl!
What they really said was, ‘Don’t get into the blue box!’ Bad move. Never tell Carl George not to do something. Kind of like waving a red flag at a bull!
Read MoreIf I Was Starting Today: Part 6
(This is part 6 of a 7 part series. You can read part 1 right here) If I knew then what I know now…I’d work harder to make heroes out of the right people. That is, I’d carefully select the stories I’d make a big deal out of…and I’d make a big deal out of…
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