Grace Group Leader Podcast: Recent Episodes
Grace Church
We know, we know, such a negative title right? But do we have your attention? : ) In this episode we'll be diving into 5 ways that we have seen even good groups get ruined if the leader is not careful. Those are...
- Allowing an unsafe environment
- Moving at the Wrong Speed
- Only getting together for meetings
- Being a discussion killer
- Staying together for too long
Additionally, Len Svensson mentions a book that is a great help for coming up with great questions as you study the Bible with your group. HERE is a link for that.
In this episode: Len Svensson, Keeley Blackstock, Andrew Schumann, and Blake Finuf.
So you've got deep community in your group...good for you! So many groups don't experience that so it should be celebrated. As part of that community, sometimes tension comes when we try to engage our group in spiritual growth and even raise the bar for our group spiritually. When that happens, what should we do? Our hope is that this episode brings some practical steps to determine what questions to ask and how to decide what to do next.
In this episode: Ryan Smith, Keeley Blackstock, Andrew Schumann, and Blake Finuf
2 Timothy 2:2 says: "You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others."
What Paul is referencing here is a concept that Jesus modeled to perfection: Apprenticeship. If you're wondering what that is, it's probably because we don't practice this as much as the rest of the world. But we believe within each Grace Group there is the potential to see people raised up to live out what God has created them to do. But it starts with us!
In this episode: Kent Liles, Len Svensson, Blake Finuf
We're back! We're kicking off our 2024 season with a conversation about achieving deeper and better community. As a church in 2024 we are going through the OneChurch initiative where we are striving to be healthier and more connected as a church. But what about Grace Groups? What role can they play? Is just getting together over a long period of time enough to experience community on the level that Jesus modeled for us? And if the path goes deeper and farther, how do we get there?
In this episode: Blake Finuf, Len Svensson, Keeley Blackstock, & Jordan Bertholf
Weeeeeeee're back! We're kicking off the Fall with a special episode featuring our Senior Pastor Tim Howey. Tim is himself a long time Grace Group leader and member, as well as the author of a brand new book called Follow Jesus, which is the sequel to his first book, Love Jesus. In this episode we get to hear about group life for the Howey family, lessons he's learned over the years, and also how we can use this new book for transformational growth in our groups.
In this episode: Kent Liles, Tim Howey, Len Svensson, and Blake Finuf
Check out the Follow Jesus page HERE.
Ever had a hard time choosing studies for your group? So have we! Choosing studies for your group doesn't have to be a part time job. In this episode we walk through: Assessing your group for choosing a study, deciding which kind of study works best for you as the leader, and how to leverage a study for impact. You'll also hear some of our favorites over the years.
In this episode: Blake Finuf and Len Svensson (South OP), Ryan Smith (Olathe), and Andrew Schumann (North OP).
Resources we reference:
Right Now Media
The Bible Project
Grace Group Leader Curriculum Development Guide
The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry
Parenting
You and Me Forever
Experiencing God
Celebration of Discipline
Choosing Marriage
The Master Plan of Evangelism
Women of the Word
"Be our guest, be our guest, put our service to the test..." Pop quiz: Name that movie reference! In this episode we'll be talking about the age old but often overlooked quality of being a good host, and looking to host others. Stats show that a person who doesn't know Jesus is more likely to hang out in a believer's home than to pop into a church service. That means we have an AMAZING opportunity to host people, have a great time, and wait on God's timing.
In this episode: Andrew Schumann (North OP), Ryan Smith (Olathe), Len Svensson and Blake Finuf (South OP).
Every one of us has something that no one can ever dispute or take away from us. A gift that has the power to shape us and those around us. The greatest tool in our tool belt for relating to people and sharing the Gospel...OUR STORY.
But how many of us are able to articulate our story? Where is the best place for that you may ask? In your group : ) Don't miss this opportunity to lean into your story and help more people know and love Jesus.
In this episode: Ryan Smith (Olathe), Andrew Schumann (North OP), and Len Svensson and Harrison Blake (South OP).
Link to ONE MESSAGE resources.
And we're back! We're kicking off 2023 with an episode focused on elevating our prayer lives as groups and making it something that infuses life, joy, peace, gratitude, and excitement into our groups.
In this episode: Kent Liles, Len Svensson, Andrew Schumann, and Blake Finuf.
In this episode we got to sit down with Doug and Camelia Howey who are our missionary parters in Romania. The Howey's got to share their story, why they chose Romania, what they are up to now, and also how Grace Groups can partner with missionaries in tangible ways from their own living room. This would be a great episode to share with your whole Grace Group.
Partner/keep up with the Howey's by clicking HERE.
In this episode: Len Svensson (South Overland Park) and Ryan Smith (Olathe).
What is the most important thing? Leadership guru Mac Lake describes it like this: “To lead from a place of overflow, you have to live from the practice of intake.” Jesus describes it like this: "Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing."The most important thing we can do as leaders is...you guessed it...spend time with Jesus. Its leadership essential #1 for all Grace Group leaders. But we know that it can also be a great challenge for many of us. In this episode we'll be opening up about what we do to increase our INTAKE for maximum OUTPUT.
In this episode: Ryan Smith and Kent Liles (OIathe), Andrew Schumann (North OP), and Len Svensson and Blake Finuf (South OP).
Scripture we reference: John 14-16
Books we reference: The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer, Radical by David Platt, and The Life You've Always Wanted by John Ortberg.
Well...it's Spring is officially wrapping up and summer is just around the corner. One of the biggest questions group leaders tend to have is, "What do we do during the summer?" This episode will dive into the notion that summer is for...
1. Evaluation
2. Switching it up
3. Learning
In this episode: Ryan Smith and Kent Liles (Olathe), and Len Svennson and Blake Finuf (South Overland Park).GRACE GROUP EVALUATIONSUGGESTED SUMMER READING/LISTENING
Maybe the greatest question for the Grace Group leader is this...how do I facilitate great discussion that gets my group talking? We'll attempt to crack the code as well as share stories about our own challenges with this and how we have found our rhythm as group leaders. And if you're wondering, we have bombed discussions just like you have : )
In this episode: Ryan Smith and Kent Liles (Olathe), Andrew Schumann (North Overland Park), Len Svensson, and Blake Finuf (South Overland Park).
Awwww Spring...the sun is shining, the birds are chirping, and the opportunities to minister to people are gearing up. But if we're being honest, serving as a group is an area where most Grace Group leaders would admit that they struggle to crack the code or even find the passion for.
In this episode we'll be looking at the example of Jesus, and sharing stories as well as practical tips to get things started. Also, Ryan sounds like he's 50 feet away and talking into a tin can, but we'll fix that next time. Sorry Ryan : )
In this episode: Ryan Smith (Olathe), Andrew Schumann (North), Len Svensson, and Blake Finuf (South).
Did you know that only 25% of Christians read their Bibles at least 2 times a week?
Through 2022 we will be journeying through the One Story reading plan as a church. This presents a fantastic opportunity for us to help our people engage in God's Word for the first time in a long time, or for some the first time ever. In this episode we're sharing some tips and tricks we've learned along the way to help you steer the ship as a leader and make the most of this year.
In this episode: Kent Liles and Ryan Smith (Olathe), Andrew Schumman (North OP), and Len Svensson and Blake Finuf (South OP).Check out our One Story page on our site for more info and to purchase resources.
The Grace Group is the first place for people to be loved and cared for within the local church. That being said, often times as group leaders we can feel intimidated when serious life issues pop up among our people. In this episode we'll talk through 3 ways that we can shepherd our group well.
We also got to sit down with Jeannie Siefken (our resident shepherd on staff) who leads Grace Care to learn more about how to care well and what resources are available to group leaders when an issue presents itself that is beyond the scope of what the group can/should handle.
In this episode: Kent Liles (Olathe), Ryan Smith (Olathe), Andrew Schumann (North OP), Blake Finuf (South OP), and Len Svensson (South OP).Click here for show notes
In this episode we're diving into some practical steps to encourage better and deeper community with your Grace Group. Whether you are just getting started or several years in, there is something in here for everyone.
In this episode: Kent Liles and Ryan Smith (Olathe), Andrew Schumann (North Overland Park), and Blake Finuf and Len Svensson (South Overland Park).
Welcome to our first episode! We want to start with this question...Why do people join Grace Groups? Is it for the study? For the food? Is it because they have so much free time they are just looking for something to do? The real answer is: COMMUNITY. Whether they realize it or not, people join groups to know others and to be known by others. It's the one thing that has the power to make a church feel like home.
In this episode: Kent Liles and Ryan Smith (Olathe), Andrew Schumann (North Overland Park), and Blake Finuf and Len Svensson (South Overland Park).