Can Your Ministry Reach Escape Velocity?
You know your ministry isn’t what it needs to be and you really want to move it to the next level. In fact, you’ve known it isn’t what it needs to be for at least a year or two (or maybe it’s been five). And you’ve tried several tweaks to pry it loose, but it’s…
Read MoreAdd The 4 Dimensions of Extraordinary Leadership to the Must Read List
Spent some time this week with The 4 Dimensions of Extraordinary Leadership, the newest book from Jenni Catron. A leader who loves “putting feet to vision,” she has served on the executive leadership teams of Menlo Church in Menlo Park, CA and Cross Point Church in Nashville, TN. Prior to ministry leadership, she worked as Artist…
Read MoreThinking Thursday: John Lasseter on Charlie Rose
Like me, you may not be a creative in the sense that Pixar’s John Lasseter is a creative. But we can learn so much by hanging out with creative people. Charlie Rose has a fascinating conversation with John Lasseter, an American animator, film director, screenwriter, producer and the chief creative officer of Pixar, Walt Disney Animation…
Read More8 Things I Know For Sure about Making Disciples in Groups
There were several great comments on yesterday’s post about the 5 Things I Wish You Knew as You Build Your Small Group Ministry. All of the comments were focused on #5: “You must focus on making disciples as you connect unconnected people.” Today I want to tease out a few things about a few things…
Read MoreBreaking! Don’t Miss the Early-Bird Pricing for My 2016 Coaching Network
Every year I block off six days and several hours a week for six months to personally invest in a very limited group of small group pastors. Breaking! I’ve extended early-bird pricing for my 2016 Small Group Ministry Coaching Network through midnight PST 12/5/15. My Winter/Spring 2016 Small Group Ministry Coaching Network experience is designed…
Read More5 Things I Wish You Knew as You Build Your Small Group Ministry
In some ways, small group ministry is like a puzzle. A big puzzle with lots and lots of pieces. And in other ways, it is really so simple. It’s not complicated. Sure, there are some things that are easy and obvious. And there are other things that might require a coach. Someone who has been…
Read MoreBlack Friday: Take Advantage of My 72 Hour Sale Pricing
I’ve never done this before. I thought I’d try it out. For the next 72 hours, until 3:30am PST on Monday 11/30/15, I’m offering several screaming deals. Save on a 5 call package of coaching calls: Regular Price: Five 60 minute coaching calls for $625 Black Friday Price: Five 60 minute coaching calls for $500…
Read MoreWe Have So Much To Be Thankful For
It has been just over 14 months since Eric, our 19 year-old son, was killed in a motorcycle accident. We’ll never forget the knock on our door just before midnight. As word got out, we were quickly surrounded by friends and family and inundated with calls, texts and emails as our friends from everywhere offered…
Read MoreMy 2015 Christmas Reading List
Every year I create a list of books I think you should read. Sometimes the books I include are very purely about small group ministry, discipleship or spiritual formation. Other times, the books I include may seem pretty far afield (innovation, design, leadership, or strategy). You’ll just have to trust me. I wouldn’t include a book I…
Read More5 Lightbulb Insights that Clarified Small Group Ministry for Me
Have you ever suddenly noticed something so obvious and then wondered how in the world you could have missed it before? Call it what you want, when you see (and understand) certain things for the first time it really is like a 100-watt lightbulb suddenly illuminating the room. And some lightbulb moments—insights—are such game-changers you…
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