Top 5 Reasons Small Group Leaders Quit
There are a number of reasons that small group leaders quit. While some quit for good reasons, most quit for reasons that are completely avoidable. Here are what I believe are the top 5 reasons small group leaders quit: 1. They aren’t being developed and discipled by a coach. This is probably the most common…
Read MoreAdd David Platt’s Counter Culture to Your Recommended List
I finally had an opportunity this week to take a look at Counter Culture, the newest study from David Platt. A Compassionate Call to Counter Culture is designed to expose participants to the truths of the gospel that should “compel us to a contrite, compassionate, and courageous personal response to social issues in the culture.” Based…
Read MoreThinking Thursday: Mark Ronson: How sampling transformed music
Sampling isn’t about “hijacking nostalgia wholesale,” says Mark Ronson. It’s about inserting yourself into the narrative of a song while also pushing that story forward. In this mind-blowingly original talk, watch the DJ scramble 15 TED Talks into an audio-visual omelette, and trace the evolution of “La Di Da Di,” Doug E. Fresh and Slick…
Read MoreHere’s How I Lead a Small Group Connection
I’m often asked for specifics about how I lead a small group connection. See also, How to Launch Groups Using a Small Group Connection. Here are two general assumptions: The best laid plans will sometimes need to be set aside. The connection process is something like a quarterback standing at the line of scrimmage, ready…
Read MoreQuotebook: The Personal Nature of Disciple Making
One of the books that influenced my early ministry direction was The Lost Art of Disciple Making by Leroy Eims. The notion that disciple making is carried on by people and not by programs shaped my conviction that whatever we want to happen in the lives of the members of our groups must happen first…
Read MoreEverything You Need to Know about Small Group Models
There are many things you need to know about small group models, systems and strategies. Too many to include in a single article! Here are three very important things to know (and links to other key posts on this topic): First, every small group model, system or strategy comes with a unique set of advantages…
Read MoreDon’t Miss This Powerful Study: Finding Your Way Back to God
Earlier this year I reviewed a powerful new book by Dave and Jon Ferguson. In my review I noted that “Finding Your Way Back to God: Five Awakenings to Your New Life has tremendous outreach potential and if you’ve not had a chance to spend some time with this book, you need to make time! This book…
Read MoreThinking Thursday: Brené Brown: Listening to shame
Shame is an unspoken epidemic, the secret behind many forms of broken behavior. Brené Brown, whose earlier talk on vulnerability became a viral hit, explores what can happen when people confront their shame head-on. Her own humor, humanity and vulnerability shine through every word. Can’t see the video? You can watch it right here. Every…
Read More5 Toxic Small Group Ministry Moves
I’ve noticed that there is a short list of small group ministry moves that can be toxic. They often seem harmless. They don’t look dangerous. But they can cause great damage. Here are a 5 toxic small group ministry moves: 1. Switching to a different small group model, system or strategy…again. There are several main…
Read MoreFind the Gaps in Your Strategy with This Simple Technique
I love Rick Warren’s concentric circles diagram; a classic illustration of the different segments of people who are associated with your church. The concentric circles also provide a visual representation of Saddleback’s crowd-to-core strategy. See also, Crowd-to-Core: An Essential Understanding. The way I talk about crowd-to-core is that I want to design next steps for…
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