Essential Ingredients for a Meaningful Small Group

I recently got an email from Peter that asked, “What are the essential ingredients to making a great life group and how do I get them?” That is a great question!  Let’s take an initial stab…and then open up shop for comments (or further questions) that you might have. The essential ingredients to making a…

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NEXT: 2009 Saddleback Small Group Conferences

Already jazzed about four locations in 2009!  February 19-21, Lake Forest, CA March 26-28, The Woodlands, TX April 23-25, Norcross, GA May 14-16, Cincinnati, OH You can find out more or register right here.  I'll have more on my breakouts when the details become available.  For now, put down the dates and join me at…

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How Important Is It To Have An Apprentice? (Part One)

One of the most commonly accepted truths of the small group movement is that every leader should have an apprentice.  Many churches have practiced the idea that before you could start a new group you had to have a leader and an apprentice.  Many churches measure the percentage of their groups that have an apprentice…

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5 Keys to Launching Small Groups Year-Round

One size rarely fits all.  Oh, you might be able to force your foot into the shoe or fit your body into the t-shirt…but one size rarely fits all.  And it’s the same with small group launching strategies.  What works well in the fall might not work as well in January.  What works off of…

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How to Use Special Days to Launch Groups

If you’re like most churches you’re now convinced that an annual church-wide campaign (an alignment) is a great way to help start new small groups.  That jury is already in. The question most are asking is what’s the best way to start groups the rest of the year?  The answer?  Any way you can…but there is another little known and…

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Church Is a Team Sport

Picked up a copy of Church Is a Team Sport: A Championship Strategy for Doing Ministry Together by Pastor Jim Putman of Real Life Ministries in Post Falls, Idaho.  With attendance of 8,000 on the weekend, this 8 year old church is one of the fastest growing churches in America.  Even more impressive?  They’re in…

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If 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…

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