5 Steps to Sustaining the New Small Groups You Launch
“We’ve launched 25 new groups! How can we help them continue to meet?” With the development of strategies like the small group connection strategy and the HOST strategy it is not hard to launch a wave of new small groups. In fact, it is very easy to do. But like I always say, “There’s an upside and…
Read MoreReview: Discussing Mere Christianity
Spent some time this week with a new resource from Zondervan. Discussing Mere Christianity is an 8 session study of C.S. Lewis’s greatest book. Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis is one of the most read and beloved Christian books of all time. But seventy years later from when it was first delivered on radio, what relevance does…
Read MoreThinking Thursday: Tony Fadell: The first secret of design is … noticing
As human beings, we get used to “the way things are” really fast. But for designers, the way things are is an opportunity … Could things be better? How? In this funny, breezy talk, the man behind the iPod and the Nest thermostat shares some of his tips for noticing — and driving — change.…
Read MoreQuotebook: Self-Control
I know (and you know) that “whatever you want to happen at the member level, will have to happen to the leader first.” We know this. It is not a mystery or some kind of secret code. I know (and you know) that what happens at the member level is ultimately influenced by what happens…
Read MoreWhat Do You Need to Abandon?
“This program has meant so much for so long to all these people!” “How can you even think of getting rid of the program that helped all of us start following Jesus?” “Old Mrs. Jones would roll over in her grave if she knew that the class named after her was being cancelled!” Who hasn’t…
Read More4 Keys to Connecting People No One Else Is Connecting
“To reach people no one else is reaching we must do things no one else is doing.” That was the line I heard from Craig Groeschel at Willow Creek’s Leadership Summit in 2008. I remember where I was sitting in the Bayside Community Church auditorium when I heard the line. I can’t tell you anything…
Read More5 Recommended Follow-Up Studies for Church-Wide Campaigns
I’ve pointed out a number of times that one of the most important keys to sustaining new small groups is giving them a study to do next that is similar in kind. By that I mean similar in several ways: Similar format. If you launch a group with a DVD-driven study, be sure and choose a…
Read MoreThinking Thursday: The Secret Structure of Great Talks
From the “I have a dream” speech to Steve Jobs’ iPhone launch, all great presentations have a common architecture. In this talk, Nancy Duarte draws lessons on how to make a powerful call-to-action. (Filmed at TEDxEast.) I’ve loved both of Nancy Duarte’s books (resonate and slide:ology) and this is a great talk. Can’t see the…
Read MoreFAQ: Can You Recommend an 8 to 12 Week Study for a Campaign?
I get questions. I get a lot of questions. About all kinds of small group ministry topics. Here’s a good one that I got last week: I notice the trend for small group campaigns is 6 weeks. Can you recommend 2-3 favorite studies of yours that are 8-12 weeks? When I asked why they were…
Read MoreThe Truth about Building a Thriving Small Group Ministry
I talk and write a lot about building a thriving small group ministry. You might say I am preoccupied by it! Some might even say I am obsessed by the idea. See also, 10 Principles for Building a Thriving Small Group Ministry. As part of the community here, I have no doubt that you’re thinking…
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