Life Group Leaders’ Lounge: Recent Episodes
Newbreak Church
Welcome to the Life Group Leaders’ Lounge! The purpose of this podcast is to equip and inspire leaders to be the best Christ-centered leaders they can be. Here you will find authentic and conversational episodes that tackle the ins and outs of small group leadership. This is a Newbreak Church podcast.
In this week's podcast, our podcast team shares our Top 10 Lessons We Learned this semester. We believe in the value of reflecting on what we did right, what we need to work on, and what we should celebrate in our leadership journey. Join us as we discuss our top 10 list (see list below).
- Not everything is going to be tied in a nice bow each week. (Brooks)
- People have great questions and love the format of Life Groups to ask them. (Brayden)
- People are especially hungry for fellowship right now. (Raquel)
- “The hope of Christ moves at the speed of relationships.” - Matt Demateo (Brayden)
- Serve Challenge was a game changer for my group - you don’t know how great it is until you do it. (Brooks)
- Be flexible and consistent as a Leader. (Raquel)
- Be willing to pivot your topic when your group needs to pivot. (Brooks)
- Spiritual retreat was a huge win. (Brayden)
- Having a great icebreaker question will especially help new people feel welcomed in the group. (Brooks)
- Listen to people outside of your bubble- mentors who are close and far. (Brayden)
Serving in ministry can be so much fun and incredibly rewarding. It can also be really hard on your family. Ever heard the phrase, "Warning: Ministry may be dangerous to your family's health”? Unfortunately, many of us have found this statement to be true. Jared Johnson, Pastor at Newbreak Church in Scripps Ranch, joins our podcast to discuss how this happens and remind us why "winning at home" is vital to everything we do as leaders. Through transparency and a willingness to open up about his own struggles, Jared identifies practical steps that each of us can take to help guard and nurture the well being of our families.
Robert Pedroza, Connections Pastor at Rise City Church, joins our podcast to discuss why being teachable is so important to our development as leaders. Robert also gets real about the dangers of comparing ourselves to others and why we need to be cautious of the trap of not measuring up. This podcast ends with a brief discussion on the types of resources available to help you grow.
Robert is an innovate and passionate follower of Jesus who has served in a variety of Pastoral roles over the last 15 years. Robert is married with three girls and resides in San Diego, California.
JoAnn Johnson, Executive Pastor at Newbreak Church, joins our podcast to talk about why it's essential for leaders to prioritize our own personal growth. Often times our own growth is pushed to the side because we get so worried about everyone and everything else. Join us as we discuss some practical steps to help reignite your growth and development as a leader.
JoAnn is an experienced Executive Pastor who has served in pastoral ministry within the Assemblies of God denomination for over 15 years. JoAnn is married with two kids and resides in San Diego, California.
Sherwood Patterson, Founder and Lead Pastor of Quest Church San Diego, shares with us why it's vital to serve others from the overflow and empowerment of God's Spirit working in our lives. When we learn to marinate in God's presence, and allow Him to tenderize our hearts, we discover that God has endless wells of nourishment available to us. The concepts and mindset discussed in this podcast will radically change the way you do ministry in the future. Check it out! Sherwood holds a Doctor of Ministry in church planting and multiplication and serves as a church strengthening and revitalization coach for the San Diego Southern Baptist Association. Sherwood is married with four kids and resides in Alpine, California.
We are joined again by Matt DeMateo, Pastor at New Life Community Church and Executive Director of New Life Centers Chicagoland, in Part 2 of our podcast on taking bold steps of faith. Matt gets real with us as he shares from his own experiences of climbing mountains by faith only to find dark valleys on the other side. He also shares some of his biggest lessons learned about God and himself through this journey.
Matt has been working with young people in Chicago since 2000. He lives and serves in the Little Village neighborhood on Chicago's southwest side with his wife Sarah and his three children Bella, Benny, and Robert. New Life Centers services over 5,000 youth and families with more than 750 volunteers.
Matt DeMateo, Pastor at New Life Community Church and Executive Director of New Life Centers Chicagoland, shares with us some practical lessons he's learned about taking bold steps of faith, why we talk ourselves out of it, and where to get started.
Matt has been working with young people in Chicago since 2000. He lives and serves in the Little Village neighborhood on Chicago's southwest side with his wife Sarah and his three children Bella, Benny, and Robert. New Life Centers services over 5,000 youth and families with more than 750 volunteers.
In this episode, we are joined by Pastor Markus Witherspoon to discuss why setting boundaries are so important in the life of a leader. We also define what guides our boundaries and why setting boundaries is so hard. Check it out!
For more information on identifying and setting boundaries, check out Henry Cloud and John Townsend's book Boundaries: When to Say Yes, How to Say No To Take Control of Your Life.
When it comes to choosing the service project for your Life Group this semester, how do you know which one to do? Analysis paralysis can hit you and your group fast. Should we come up with our own thing? Should we partner with the church or another non-profit? How do we keep COVID safe? Using the acronym NAPA, you can feel confident in getting your serve journey started out right!
- Need- Become a student of your neighborhood. Instead of assuming that you know what your community needs, listen to what they are saying.
- Availability- Pick a SERVE CHALLENGE project that your group is available to serve.
- Passion- Identify the passions and gifts of those in your group. What are the members of your group feeling drawn to this semester?
- Ability- Pick a project that you can actual accomplish together as a group.
Introducing....THE SERVE CHALLENGE! What is that you ask? Join us this week as we discuss our strategy to get our groups serving! We'll talk about origin of the idea and the "why" behind the SERVE CHALLENGE. We'll also touch on how to start talking about this with your group. Check it out!
For more info on the SERVE CHALLENGE go to www.newbreak.church/challenge
- Introduce the SERVE Challenge to your group / Pray about it (Week 1)
- Submit your SERVE Challenge project at newbreak.church/challenge (Week 3)
- Complete your SERVE Challenge project or have a date set for the project (Week 10)
- Share your SERVE Challenge story at newbreak.church/story
Have you ever heard the phrase "Be a Starfish, not a Spider?" In this week's podcast we are joined by Pastor Carter Moss to explain the vital difference between the two and how it applies to serving with your Life Groups. We will also get into the main reasons why Life Groups should serve their communities this semester. You won't want to miss this episode!
In this week's podcast, we go over a few of our listener's questions. We tackle questions on how to stay encouraged as a leader, what to do when someone in your Life Group is struggling, how to determine the right size of a Life Group, and some ideas on tackling childcare needs.
We've all been there. Someone in your Life Group asks you a really tough question. It could be a challenging theological question or a deeply felt personal question. The whole group turns and looks at you for a really insightful, wise, and helpful answer. The only problem is you aren't sure what to say. In this episode of Life Group Leaders' Lounge, we discuss some helpful tips on what to say and sometimes more importantly, what not to say.
We are back with our friend of the show Anne Richardson to discuss some ways to help your group connect with God on a deeper level. Join us as we talk about the role of discernment in this process and why one-on-one care outside of the group is so important to our group members' growth.
Anne Richardson is a published author, speaker, Life Group leader, and Spiritual Director. To learn more about Anne Richardson: www.annemarierichardson.com
Going deeper with God is a lifelong journey of exploration, introspection, and unhooking from those things that draw us away from His love. In this episode, we are joined by Anne Richardson to discuss how to go deeper through reflection, solitude, and learning what it means to be "grounded in God's love."
Anne Richardson is a published author, speaker, Life Group leader, and Spiritual Director. To learn more about Anne Richardson: www.annemarierichardson.com
As your group grows and more people want to join, how do you make the large group feel small? In this episode, we talk about the unique needs and dynamics involved with leading a larger Life Group. We also discuss some practical tips for leading a large group while keeping an eye on the future.
Whether you are just starting or are a seasoned veteran, we need to give our best to whoever joins our group. In this episode of Life Group Leaders' Lounge, we discuss the dynamics and benefits of leading a smaller Life Group.
In this episode of Life Group Leaders' Lounge, we are joined by special guest Ryan Tafolla to discuss the importance of icebreakers in a Life Group. We're going to talk about how icebreakers can help bring fun to a group and can also deepen relationships. We'll also break down the different types of icebreakers and also give you some great examples to try in your groups.
Every new adventure begins with the first step. For us Life Group leaders, each semester provides us with a fresh start and a new page to turn. This is why starting the semester out right is vital. Join us as we discuss the value of first impressions, introductions, and talking about group culture.
One often overlooked aspect of being a Life Group leader is learning how to recruit people into your group. In this episode, we are joined by special guests Markus Witherspoon and Ryan Tafolla to discuss some helpful and practical steps to recruiting like a champ.
Choosing the right curriculum to discuss with your Life Group can feel overwhelming. There are so many different topics and different types of content to choose from so where do you start? In this episode of Life Group Leaders' Lounge, we are joined by Pastor Markus Witherspoon to discuss the ins and outs of how to select the right curriculum for your Life Group.
Feeling burned out? Need a break? Feel like your cup is empty? You are not alone! In this episode, we are joined by special guest Newbreak Pastor Carter Moss to discuss why rest is important as a leader, how to refill your leadership cup, and some indicators that you need to make some changes.
There will come a time in your leadership when someone in your group goes through a difficult time. Whether that person is grieving a loss or facing a significant trial, they may come to you for support and guidance. In this episode, we are joined by special guest Gordon Debever to offer us some great training and insight on caring for those who suffer. Gordon has been a pastor for over 20 years and is now working as a Chaplain at UC San Diego Medical Center. You will walk away with some great tools to help you support, encourage, and comfort someone who needs it the most. Psalm 33:14-15- "14 From His dwelling place He gazes on all who inhabit the earth. 15. He shapes the hearts of each; He considers all their works." Psalm 34:19- "The righteous person may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all;" Philippians 3:10- "that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,"
Life Groups are not meant to be monologues. They are special places where people can ask questions, share their perspectives, and open up about what God is doing in their lives. This is why being able to facilitate discussions is so important as a leader. In this podcast we share some practical tips on how to get the most out of your discussions by designing great questions, learning to read the room, and discerning what God is doing in the room.
Developing leaders doesn't just happen by accident and it doesn't happen overnight. It takes time, intentionality, invitation, and an environment that natures the development of others. In this episode, we discuss the importance of leadership development in a Life Group and the different types of leadership roles within the group. Raquel also discusses four helpful steps to get you started in raising up a team within your Life Group (Identify Potential, Make the Ask, Create the Space, and Provide Feedback).
In this first episode we introduce you to the four main responsibilities of a Life Group leader and discuss how important personal growth is in the life of a leader. (2 Peter 3:18)