SG² Steve Gladen on Small Groups: Recent Episodes

Steve Gladen

Small group leaders, pastors, and more discussing strategies for growth and community in church groups. The Small Group Network is an international ministry that equips churches to engage in deeper discipleship and community.

Steve Gladen, Global Small Groups Pastor at Saddleback Church, pulls from his 20+ years of small group ministry experience to encourage and equip listeners to lead healthier, growing and more effective small group ministries. In this episode, Steve is joined by co-host Derek and special guests Mark Grunden and Ron Kelleher to talk about 5 Steps to Creating a Workplace Ministry:

1 Cast a vision
2 Create a leadership team
3 Convene a launch event
4 Compile study resources
5 Continue with training

Shownotes:

saddleback.com/workplace

worklifebiblestudy.org

Mark Grunden / markg@saddleback.com

Ron Kelleher / RonK@saddlebackvolunteer.com
5 Steps to Starting a Workplace Ministry at your Church

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How do you handle unclear or wrong communication?
How do you handle worry?
How do you figure out who's after you?
How do you handle failure?

7 Lessons Learned from Face Plants
1. Think through your response and LISTEN
2. The response is always done with humility
3. Everything we do is being watched by the world
4. We must make sure our impact matches our intent
5. We can be creative without being offensive
6. When dealing with upset people, pray with them and have them pray too
7. TEACH - True, Encouraging, Age Appropriate, Culturally Honoring, How would Jesus respond?

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You can download your planner HERE
Check out the videos referenced in the podcast HERE

Everyone's got excuses... and here are 5 of the most common. But if you are hearing one (or all) of these excuses in your small group ministry, how should you respond? Listen to Steve's talk from the Purpose Driven Small Groups conference to get prepared for the next time you hear an excuse.

For more great resources check out https://smallgroupnetwork.com
And to connect with Steve Gladen as well as other small group pastors from around the world, check out https://go.smallgroupnetwork.com

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How do you handle unclear or wrong communication?
How do you handle worry?
How do you figure out who's after you?
How do you handle failure?

7 Lessons Learned from Face Plants
1. Think through your response and LISTEN
2. The response is always done with humility
3. Everything we do is being watched by the world
4. We must make sure our impact matches our intent
5. We can be creative without being offensive
6. When dealing with upset people, pray with them and have them pray too
7. TEACH - True, Encouraging, Age Appropriate, Culturally Honoring, How would Jesus respond?

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Steve Gladen, Global Small Groups Pastor at Saddleback Church, pulls from his 20+ years of small group ministry experience to encourage and equip listeners to lead healthier, growing and more effective small group ministries. In this episode, Steve is joined by co-host Derek and special guest Matt Hamilton (who has 35 years of Tech Sales experience at 7 global companies) to talk about 7 ways CRM can Improve Discipleship. In this episode we break down the following:

High Level Perspective
Personalized Service
Central Repository of Information, accessible and sharable
Data Insights
Time is Our Most Precious Commodity
Continual Improvement – adapt or die
Soul Food – nurturing relationships that foster growth and positive impact

SHOW NOTES:

High Level Perspective:
We're all in sales - it's just a question of "what's the product?"
Clear vision & benefit statement - don't make people guess
Concise, positive, fun, high energy, memorable

Everyone's favorite subject: Themselves!! The more you know about them, the more impactful & engaging you will be.

God's tool to move them beyond themselves-Small Groups (our product) - to fill the spiritual void they have from a broken relationship with God. Small Groups bring back (read Acts 2:42-47) community, Biblical knowledge, personal development (Discipleship), serving, evangelism and worship
Personalized Service
Our world demands real time interaction with deep personalization
Personalization = You Care / You Understand Me = Credibility
Credibility is critical in a noisy, misguided world
Central Repository of Information, accessible and sharable
A good memory is great but it isn't transferable or scalable (institutional Knowledge)
One source of information for all team members to access
Requires thoughtfulness on the required fields vs. optional fields
Start small, think in terms of the bare essentials or Minimum Viable Product
Too Much Information or Layout / Architecture = can drown the initiative
Shared information shows competence, increases confidence & greatly improves customer experiences
Data Insights
Ability to spot trends - very powerful in driving outcomes
Move from reactive to proactive - address issues earlier
Cohorts & Patterns - ability to compare outcomes & experiences over time
Increase personalization and value to customers / people
Competitive advantage - data can bring knowledge & knowledge is gold
Time is Our Most Precious Commodity
Use it wisely & maximize impact
Don't waste other people's time - they will reward you through avoidance
Learn through data analysis how to improve time management - adjust regularly
Serve people with the method they prefer, it's not about what you want or like
Focus on building the perfect day & week (activities done every day / week)
Don't let things slip - if a day is subpar, make it up the following day
Continual Improvement - adapt or die
Static approaches die no matter how great they are
The world is changing, people are changing and the approach has to stay current Data analysis will spot trends, help reveal required adjustments and highlight areas of application (who or where I need to apply the adjustments)
Soul Food - nurturing relationships that foster growth and positive impact
People are attracted to ideas & other people that have a positive impact on them
Align the interaction to provide value / positive impact with every touch
Feedback is essential and needs to be regular from a diverse group
Try to score or grade user experience or engagement - If you don't measure it, it's very difficult to monitor performance and spot changes (good or bad)

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Listen is as we go back to February 2021 and the 3 Areas for Your Groups to Shine in Today’s Culture. We still find that this will be relevant in your group's setting today!

7 Civilities

Listen with your eyes (don’t roll your eyes) acknowledge their view
Sleep and hungry—know the right time
Social media news vs. Good news
Neither side may trivialize or dismiss the concerns of the other.
Neither side should define the “other” according to one single characteristic or identity marker.
Both sides should aim to help each other understand their own experience and perspective using a type of speech (words and tone) that can be heard by the other.
Both sides should accept the fundamental ground rule of life in a free society: the essence of liberty is the right to be different and to act wrongly in the eyes of others—you will need to agree to disagree.

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Listen in as Pastor Rick Warren talks about the coming trends in small group ministries. This was from our Lobby 2019 Gathering and is still relevant today! Part 2 next week!

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Goal: To know how to set and be comfortable having coffee/follow ups with Small Group leaders.
Why: We want you to be totally comfortable contacting and meeting with small group leaders.
It is important to remember that these folks are just like you. They have goals, fears, hurts, insecurities,
families, family problems, health concerns and everything else you can imagine.

Be confident - Biblical basics:

 God owns everything, and I am His manager. (Ps. 24:1, Matt. 25:14-30)
 You are their pastor.
 You are responsible for their health (2 Cor 5:10)

Know the landscape:

These are financial, spiritual and emotional issues.
 Isolation, spiritual void
 Materialism, 1/3 of those earning over $250k per year live paycheck to paycheck.
 Business, environment setting their priorities

Prepare Yourself:

Am I living out biblical health in my own life? Do you buy what you sell?
 5 purposes
 Active in my group balancing the purposes
 Have YOUR own story ready to share.

Where do you start:

Review your group list:
a. You may already know some of your SGL as they are very involved as volunteers, but you
may have had no idea who they are. Many of these folks are not well connected, don’t
attend a lot of events and may not even be on your radar.
b. Start small and grow into the list
c. How many engagements can you do?
Pick some names to begin and learn as much as you can before you meet:
 Check HC and know family names, ministries, time at Saddleback
 Zillow their address for where and how they live
 Goggle them and their company
 Check LinkedIn, Facebook, IG etc.
Make the invitation:
a. If you know them, simply call, text, or email that you would love to grab a cup of coffee
when it is convenient for them. If they ask what you want, simply say I just want to spend
time with you and get to know you better. Another line I use is, I like to invest my time with
the folks who are investing in our church.
If you don’t know them, we have found that having an assistant set up the meeting works
very well. They can call and simply say the Pastor Dave would like to see if you would get
together with him for a cup of coffee. Are you available on the 23 rd ?
They almost always ask, what does he want or why does he want to meet with us? The
simplest answer is usually the best. Pastor Dave loves to meet with our members, and he
gives me a list to contact, and you are on that list. This seems to take the edge off and I
have never had a no ��.
b. Pick a place close to them, not you. They may suggest it, or you can, based on their
home/work geography. Pick a time most convenient for them.
c. While I meet mostly with men, very often they ask to bring their wives which is perfect.
Obviously if you are just meeting with a woman, you need to bring someone else with
you such as your 101 or worship pastor, someone mature in their faith as well and
comfortable in this environment.
d. I often send a text confirming the time and place
e. Meet them and be on time!! (Early is even better):
Relax and enjoy the conversation: Don’t be intimidated, pretend you’ve been in the end zone
before!

 They want to be treated like regular people and have a lot of the same problems and issues,
plus some that others don’t have. There is no need to make it awkward, in fact, start with
their story.
 Share the vision for the church, Groups and your excitement and enthusiasm will be
contagious.
 We do not need to ask for anything! We just need to Pastor people.

Initiating Conversations, Discipling is relational, be their Pastor.

Here are some easy open-ended questions:
 Tell me your story.
 How did you come to Saddleback?
 Tell me about your family.
 Tell me about your work/company?
 What are your passions, hobbies, dreams?
 How is God growing and stretching you?
 Which areas of your life are easiest to put God first, and which are hardest?
 What do you think God is working on in your life?

Wrap up questions:

 Is there anything we can be doing better at Saddleback to support you and your
family?
 How can I be praying for you?

Offer to pay – but 9 out of 10 times, the member will treat you ��.
Always send a follow up text or note thanking them for their time and for treating you to
coffee/breakfast and telling them that you will be praying for what ever they asked for prayers
for.
Thank them for making an earthly and eternal difference.
A couple Don’ts:
If they are group leaders with means, never ask for anything for yourself. These folks have
many assets, vacation homes, boats etc.
Don’t forget to follow up on anything they mentioned. Something you said you would send
them or someone you promised to introduce them to.
Don’t make a commitment that you may not be able to keep such as get Andy to attend
their kid’s 1 st birthday party ��.
Don’t start on your agenda (hard data) but their agenda (soft data)

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In this episode, Steve Gladen breaks down 5 areas where ministry leaders can re-imagine how they do coaching for their groups ministry. The following is what will specifically be covered in this show:

History of Coaching

Staff or volunteers
Serve in one Help in another
Saddleback’s history—building upon, keeping best of…
- 1.0 version (1998)
  - 1:5—I could recruit faster than our growth
- 2.0 version (2005)—why it changed, it was broken
  - 1:25 paid
  - Introduced not equal care, but strategic care
  - 4 Buckets and Reactive/pro active
  - Name changed from Coaches to CL’s because of paradigm shift
  - Care 70% Administration, training, connecting 30%,
  - Get in for right reason, but get out for right reason
  - CL Retreats
- 3.0 Version (2009)—why it changed, it couldn’t scale financially
  - 1:25 volunteered, above same
  - Introduced any span of care a CL could do
- 4.0 Version (2014) why it changed, they weren’t sure what to do
  - Introduced the “Starbuck’s” green apron more developmental
  - FRIEND
  - LEADER
  - COACH
  - Hard and Soft data collection
  - Skip Level, Trust but Verify
- 5.0 Version (2017) why it changed, we discovered other factors not giving maximum alignment
  - Introduced the Village concept
  - Alignment
- 6.0 Version (2021) why it changed, discovered different types of CL’s
  - HOST to Leader to CL to Minister
  - CL Course
  - Training Modules
  - Track training (next gen beyond Starbuck’s green apron)

5 Areas to Reimagine Coaching

The Ethos (the environment the CL lives in)
- the family system (w/o parents it is risky)
- How’s the family (you, coaches and Group leaders)
- Do you know what you are producing—the end in mind
The Reason (for the CL)
- Directive Disciple MAKING—management and guidance, Space flight PSGWP page 201
- Tom Landry quote
- Baseline, Know the health metrics HA & GHA
- How will you give course corrections (ideas, curriculum, encouragement, etc.)
The Process (finding CL’s)
- The Group Leader pathway HOST to Leader to CL (P3) to Minister
- Competency and Capacity
- Retreats
- Introductory Course
The Pathway (growing the CL)
- The Coach engagement pathway to the HOST; FRIEND—LEADER—COACH
- The Coach’s pathway of growth for them
  - SGP guidance
  - Modules Training
  - Course(s)
  - Retreats
The Influences (that help the CL)…what I call the Village
- Share the Village, who’s in helping? Who surrounds the Small Group speaking health?
- People (primary)
  - Small Group Point Person
  - CL or Coach
  - Senior Pastor
Processes (secondary)
- Training Pathway for the leader
- Tools (HA and GHA)
- Training Pathway for the CL
- Newsletter
- Small Group Weekend Table connection
- Small Group Website home page
- Weekend services
- Leader Retreats and SGH
- Streaming content (curriculum and training)
- Social Media
- Testimonies
- FAQ’s

Shownotes:

smallgroupnetwork.com/smallgroup

https://sb-web.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/saddleback.com/connect/smallgroups/9958-SmallGroupsCL-Booklet_Interior_Interactive_092101.pdf

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Join ALL ACCESS! Are you ready to unlock your ministry's potential? Our ALL ACCESS plan includes

courses from Steve Gladen and leading small group pastors from across the country.
workshops
quarterly coaching
premium articles
live digital events.

All for the price of $49 a month or $490 annually.

You even get half off in person events like the LOBBY and ACCELERATE

And to make it an even better deal, that one low price is a churchwide license. Everyone at your church is included. PLUS your WHOLE team gets half off the events. Meaning with this plan, your church can SAVE money and get your whole team trained and equipped.

Check it out today at https://smallgroupnetwork.com/allaccess ... your community, unlocked!

From the Lobby Gathering in 2019, Pastor Rick Warren shares his heart on Small Groups and what is to come.

ALIGN + ACCELERATE July 11-13, 2023

ALIGN is the small groups ministry essentials workshop. Perfect for people new to groups or who are considering launching groups at their church.

ACCELERATE is a 2 day intensive workshop for a small group point person who wants to develop an 18 month strategic plan for growth or revitalization.

Your team can attend ALIGN or ACCELERATE or get a discounted rate for attending both. For those attending all 3, lodging and lunches are included in the price! And don't forget, ALL ACCESS members always get 50% off all events.

We'll see you there! https://smallgroupnetwork.com/conferences/

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On June 10th, the Faith at Work Summit at Saddleback Church is hosting Fortune 500, Christian executives from Target, Disney, Cisco Systems, Metronic and Capital Group. Each of these speakers are passionate about the integration of faith and work. They are seeing God move in their companies, specifically through Christian fellowships and Small groups in the workplace that they are leading.

Are you interested in workplace small groups or fellowship with business-minded Christians? Do you or any of your small group leaders lead a group at their workplace? Then join participants from across the US for this Faith at Work Summit, on Saturday, June 10th.

If you’re in Southern California you can join this event in-person. It’s also simulcasted via zoom and you can watch it live online. You can register for this event at https://Saddleback.com/FaithAtWork

Steve Gladen, Global Small Groups Pastor at Saddleback Church, pulls from his 20+ years of small group ministry experience to encourage and equip listeners to lead healthier, growing and more effective small group ministries. In this episode, Steve is joined by co-host Derek and special guest Christina Dawson (Life Groups Director at the Woodlands Church in Texas to talk about 7 ways data can help you and your small group ministry. In this episode we discuss:

How accurate data is critical
How the number one rule with data is use it yourself
How do diligence with data isn’t enough
Sales commission structure & how it works
How setting achievable exceptions is a must
How group health & corporate training are essential
What to do before you meet your people

Christina Dawson Bio:

Christina loves to serve people and has been doing so professionally for 19 years. After
graduating from high school she took on numerous sales roles in both restaurant and
retail settings. It was here that she learned the necessities of user experience and
customer engagement.
In 2012, while working in a furniture store, one of her customers, who happened to be
the CEO of a Canadian manufacturing company, was so impressed with her service, he
hired her as as his Executive Assistant. While taking on numerous roles within the
company, Christina discovered a strong passion for workforce development.
In the spring of 2014, she was selected to manage and develop a two-year pilot
workforce program by the Bowling Green Kentucky Area Chamber of Commerce.
After completing her contract, she continued her mission for economic development by
starting her own workforce communications and marketing firm, Southern Kentucky Jobs.
Worldly success in entrepreneurship left her exhausted and disappointed.
In early 2020, the Lord miraculously gave Christina the opportunity to serve overseas.
She sold everything she had and traveled across the globe where she would contribute
to the growth and development of a children's hospital. After living, working, and sharing
Jesus with orphans in rural Africa, Christina has new eyes and a grateful heart.
A Kentucky native, Christina currently resides in Houston, Texas, where she is serving the
Life Groups Team at Woodlands Church. She continues to work as a company culture
consultant in the manufacturing industry.

CRM & UX Outline

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Steve Gladen, Global Small Groups Pastor at Saddleback Church, pulls from his 20+ years of small group ministry experience to encourage and equip listeners to lead healthier, growing and more effective small group ministries. In this episode, Steve & co-host Deek talk about 20 ways that you can honor and celebrate the leaders in your ministry this holiday season.

Show Notes:

smallgroupnetwork.com/lookbook

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Steve Gladen, Global Small Groups Pastor at Saddleback Church, pulls from his 20+ years of small group ministry experience to encourage and equip listeners to lead healthier, growing and more effective small group ministries. In this episode, Steve & co-host Deek talk about 20 ways that you can honor and celebrate the leaders in your ministry this holiday season.

Show Notes:

smallgroupnetwork.com/lookbook

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Description:Steve Gladen, Global Small Groups Pastor at Saddleback Church, pulls from his 20+ years of small group ministry experience to encourage and equip listeners to lead healthier, growing and more effective small group ministries. In this episode, Steve talks about the third Leadership Pipelines You Must Have In Your small group ministry: the small group member pathway.

Shownotes:Part 1

Part 2

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Description:Steve Gladen, Global Small Groups Pastor at Saddleback Church, pulls from his 20+ years of small group ministry experience to encourage and equip listeners to lead healthier, growing and more effective small group ministries. In this episode, Steve talks about the third Leadership Pipelines You Must Have In Your small group ministry: the small group member pathway.

Shownotes:Part 1

Part 2

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Part 1

https://open.spotify.com/episode/6v5K4Qx54JVRwJYvNvKLUR?si=IzSx5CoyRPeQUrxPtTIqjA

5 Ways to Reimagine Coachinghttps://open.spotify.com/episode/4yMNGT61KXKMAqiNtRehA7?si=XJeq4nbfTASKreJNwpLnRg

CL Development Pathway

CL Village

Description:Steve Gladen, Global Small Groups Pastor at Saddleback Church, pulls from his 20+ years of small group ministry experience to encourage and equip listeners to lead healthier, growing and more effective small group ministries.

In this episode, Steve talks about the 3 Leadership Pipelines You Must Have In Your small group ministry: the group leader pathway, the community leader pathway and the group member pathway.

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Part 1

https://open.spotify.com/episode/6v5K4Qx54JVRwJYvNvKLUR?si=IzSx5CoyRPeQUrxPtTIqjA

5 Ways to Reimagine Coachinghttps://open.spotify.com/episode/4yMNGT61KXKMAqiNtRehA7?si=XJeq4nbfTASKreJNwpLnRg

CL Development Pathway

CL Village

Description:Steve Gladen, Global Small Groups Pastor at Saddleback Church, pulls from his 20+ years of small group ministry experience to encourage and equip listeners to lead healthier, growing and more effective small group ministries.

In this episode, Steve talks about the 3 Leadership Pipelines You Must Have In Your small group ministry: the group leader pathway, the community leader pathway and the group member pathway.

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For more information on Ruth Haley Barton check out her website at https://www.ruthhaleybarton.com/ and learn more about the Transforming Center at https://transformingcenter.org/

Embracing Rhythms of Work and Rest: From Sabbath to Sabbatical and Back Again

Early Release from IV Press: https://www.ivpress.com/embracing-rhythms-of-work-and-rest
Amazon (Oct 11): https://www.amazon.com/Embracing-Rhythms-Work-Rest-Sabbatical/dp/1514002639

This episode really just took a surface level look at Sabbath and barely even introduced the topic of sabbatical. If you want to go deeper, check out Ruth Haley Barton's book, Embracing Rhythms of Work and Rest by winning a copy from us or by purchasing an early release copy directly from Intervarsity Press. Or you can wait for the regular release in October and buy it from Amazon.

We will be giving out a pair of the books and their are two different ways to enter. We will choose the winners via a random drawing on September 7th. The first method of entering is to leave a review for this podcast on your podcast player of choice. It doesn't even have to be a good review, it can be any review. Just take a screenshot of your review and send it to me at info@lumivoz.com

The second method is to find lumivoz on Facebook and leave a comment on the contest post with your favorite or best sabbath tip.

You can enter both ways and as many times as you link in order to win. Good luck! I can't wait to talk with you on the next 5th Wednesday!

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Embracing Rhythms of Work and Rest: From Sabbath to Sabbatical and Back Again (Transforming Resources)

Steve Gladen, Global Small Groups Pastor at Saddleback Church, pulls from his 20+ years of small group ministry experience to encourage and equip listeners to lead healthier, growing and more effective small group ministries.

In this episode, Steve talks about the 3 Leadership Pipelines You Must Have In Your small group ministry: the group leader pathway, the community leader pathway and the group member pathway.

Host Development Pathway
Nick and Dave Photo

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Steve Gladen, Global Small Groups Pastor at Saddleback Church, pulls from his 20+ years of small group ministry experience to encourage and equip listeners to lead healthier, growing and more effective small group ministries.

In this episode, Steve talks about the 3 Leadership Pipelines You Must Have In Your small group ministry: the group leader pathway, the community leader pathway and the group member pathway.

Host Development Pathway
Nick and Dave Photo

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Steve Gladen, Global Small Groups Pastor at Saddleback Church, pulls from his 20+ years of small group ministry experience to encourage and equip listeners to lead healthier, growing and more effective small group ministries.

In this episode, Steve talks about how you can grow your small group ministry by 300%! You can do this by using Saddleback Church's secret sauce of ministry - the church-wide-campaign. Steve and Derek will break down the following:

1 Know the compelling question.
2 Align Children’s, Student and Adult ministries.
3 Stick to the principles and apply your own methodologies.
4 Language matters - host strategy
5 Employ various avenues of learning.

6 Once a year is enough
7 Provide a clear start and end date.
8 Expect high intensity for staff, volunteers, and members
9 Remember and celebrate.
10 Plan for after the Campaign
11 Give people an “out” after the Campaign.
12 Budget to remove financial obstacles

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Steve Gladen, Global Small Groups Pastor at Saddleback Church, pulls from his 20+ years of small group ministry experience to encourage and equip listeners to lead more effective small group ministry.

In this episode, Steve answers the question "should small groups meet over the summer?" He then proceeds to share some of the pros and cons of summer small groups as well as share some of the things he typically heres about why small groups do not meet over the summer.

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Steve Gladen, Global Small Groups Pastor at Saddleback Church, pulls from his 20+ years of small group ministry experience to encourage and equip listeners to lead more effective small group ministry.

In this episode, you will here an audio recording of Rick Warren talking to the Saddleback church staff about his 10 Principles of Exponential Thinking. Steve Gladen will then breakdown how you can apply these 10 principles to your small group ministry. The following is what will specifically be covered in this show:

First – exponential growth is possible.

Second – exponential growth is the New Testament model.

Third – exponential growth brings honor to God.
Fourth – exponential growth captures the attention of the unbelieving world.
Fifth – exponential growth is caused by God.
Sixth – exponential growth is the result of God’s blessing on your life.
Seventh – exponential growth makes God smile…in fact, He rewards it.
Eighth – the only barrier to exponential growth is our own unbelief.
Ninth – the secret of exponential growth is believing God for big things.
Finally, Tenth – exponential growth begins with exponential thinking.

Choosing Growth over Control
The Book of Acts is one of the best resources we have to understand the growth of the church during its formative years. A brief read through of this section of Scripture can quickly show us that the church preferred growth over control as they would preach to thousands and then baptize them shortly afterward. As witnessed throughout Acts, explosive growth was a good problem to have, for it established a foundation upon which its teachings could stand upon. Similarly, we too must be okay with the mess that new small groups may create. Instead of focusing primarily on if a new small group leader is maintaining sound theological discourse within their very first meeting, we are challenged to celebrate the fact that Jesus is being discussed at all and that members are coming together to form community. But doesn’t bad theology and misinformed teaching create more complication for the kingdom of God? Yes, however just as we see in the Bible, doctrine and teaching was provided shortly after Acts through the writings of the Epistles. Just as how Paul conducted “on-the-job” training via letters to the churches he was mentoring, we too can choose growth first and then later practice the approach of surgically addressing any theological concerns through a consistent roll-out of bite-size trainings.

A Culture of Groups
While we all wish our congregants would be fully devoted followers of Christ who are consistently serving, attending a small group, and in-the-know of the church calendar at all times, the reality is that many of our churchgoers only step foot onto church grounds for Sunday service (or online for virtual Sunday service). In other words, Sunday morning may in fact be the only shot we have to help promote small groups and/or explain the benefits of small groups. If our churches only mention small groups twice a year at the times when there are coordinated group launches, then this means that the typical church attendee only will hear about small groups 4% of the year (even less if they miss one or both of those two services!). If the church’s leadership agrees that small groups are one of the most important ministries within the community, then we become challenged to display the fact that small groups are indeed a part of our church’s DNA. To help execute this, some strategies can include: (1) head pastor buy-in (where the senior pastor becomes one of the most vocal proponents of small group ministry and even attends a group themselves); (2) Church calendar events that strategically funnel individuals into newly created groups (and/or church events that don’t interfere with the weekdays on which small groups typically meet); or (3) Consistent small group promotion from the pulpit (Not every message needs to be a small group sermon, but every message can contain a shout-out or a 30 second tie-in to small groups).

Lowering the Barriers
In a post-Covid world, small group ministries have found themselves challenged to embrace new methods in facilitating and nurturing community. While meeting in-person will always be the ideal method of meeting in groups, what we do know is that the concept of virtual groups is here to stay. During this time that we find ourselves in, what type of group is easy to duplicate, is able to meet both online and in-person, is easily sustainable, and also is easy to lead? As we arrive on the other side of the widespread disruption that Covid-19 had brought with it, sermon discussion groups may very well be the perfect type of “growth over control” group to launch within our church’s small group ministry. A sermon discussion guide is not only able to empower anyone to host a group and facilitate engaging conversation, but it also allows what Steve and Dave encouraged us all to practice during last year’s Lobby: rather than simply telling our groups what to do, we instead provide for our groups the destination we want them to reach while utilizing the values we want them to use in order to arrive there. Even though a model of sermon discussion groups chooses growth over control, it does so within a framework that provides its groups a set of guardrails within which to operate. In other words, groups are not grown without oversight, but instead are grown within a model that becomes quite appealing to a post-Covid world where both in-person and online groups are meeting on a regular basis.

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We are excited to announce some big changes to Reading Lenz, our monthly podcast by Nick Lenzi. Nick's show is graduating to its own channel and changing its name! Search for The Group Takeaways With Nick Lenzi in your favorite podcast app or go to https://share.transistor.fm/s/480a2b74. And don't forget to subscribe at its new home. We're excited for the upcoming season of Group Takeaways and can't wait to share it with you!

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Exciting news, everybody! Bill Search's podcast "Leadership Journey" has moved! It is now its own podcast on its own channel. Go to https://share.transistor.fm/s/b7e1a4de or search for "Leadership Journey with Bill Search in your favorite podcast app. This week, Bill interviews John Ortberg, the author and pastor on his leadership and legacy. Check it out and don't forget to subscribe and leave a review. it is an invaluable way to support Bill and our volunteers!

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If you're looking for the latest episode of Here To There with Carolyn Taketa, it has moved! Carolyn's show has grown enough to get it's own channel. Just head over to https://share.transistor.fm/s/b7677a39 or search for Here To There With Carolyn Taketa in your favorite podcast app. And don't forget to subscribe and leave a review. Reviews are an incredible way to support our volunteers!

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In this episode, Steve Gladen breaks down 5 areas where ministry leaders can re-imagine how they do coaching for their groups ministry. The following is what will specifically be covered in this show:

History of Coaching

Staff or volunteers
Serve in one Help in another
Saddleback’s history—building upon, keeping best of…
- 1.0 version (1998)
  - 1:5—I could recruit faster than our growth
- 2.0 version (2005)—why it changed, it was broken
  - 1:25 paid
  - Introduced not equal care, but strategic care
  - 4 Buckets and Reactive/pro active
  - Name changed from Coaches to CL’s because of paradigm shift
  - Care 70% Administration, training, connecting 30%,
  - Get in for right reason, but get out for right reason
  - CL Retreats
- 3.0 Version (2009)—why it changed, it couldn’t scale financially
  - 1:25 volunteered, above same
  - Introduced any span of care a CL could do
- 4.0 Version (2014) why it changed, they weren’t sure what to do
  - Introduced the “Starbuck’s” green apron more developmental
  - FRIEND
  - LEADER
  - COACH
  - Hard and Soft data collection
  - Skip Level, Trust but Verify
- 5.0 Version (2017) why it changed, we discovered other factors not giving maximum alignment
  - Introduced the Village concept
  - Alignment
- 6.0 Version (2021) why it changed, discovered different types of CL’s
  - HOST to Leader to CL to Minister
  - CL Course
  - Training Modules
  - Track training (next gen beyond Starbuck’s green apron)

5 Areas to Reimagine Coaching

The Ethos (the environment the CL lives in)
- the family system (w/o parents it is risky)
- How’s the family (you, coaches and Group leaders)
- Do you know what you are producing—the end in mind
The Reason (for the CL)
- Directive Disciple MAKING—management and guidance, Space flight PSGWP page 201
- Tom Landry quote
- Baseline, Know the health metrics HA & GHA
- How will you give course corrections (ideas, curriculum, encouragement, etc.)
The Process (finding CL’s)
- The Group Leader pathway HOST to Leader to CL (P3) to Minister
- Competency and Capacity
- Retreats
- Introductory Course
The Pathway (growing the CL)
- The Coach engagement pathway to the HOST; FRIEND—LEADER—COACH
- The Coach’s pathway of growth for them
  - SGP guidance
  - Modules Training
  - Course(s)
  - Retreats
The Influences (that help the CL)…what I call the Village
- Share the Village, who’s in helping? Who surrounds the Small Group speaking health?
- People (primary)
  - Small Group Point Person
  - CL or Coach
  - Senior Pastor
Processes (secondary)
- Training Pathway for the leader
- Tools (HA and GHA)
- Training Pathway for the CL
- Newsletter
- Small Group Weekend Table connection
- Small Group Website home page
- Weekend services
- Leader Retreats and SGH
- Streaming content (curriculum and training)
- Social Media
- Testimonies
- FAQ’s

Shownotes:

smallgroupnetwork.com/smallgroup

https://sb-web.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/saddleback.com/connect/smallgroups/9958-SmallGroupsCL-Booklet_Interior_Interactive_092101.pdf

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The Small Group Network is celebrating its 15th anniversary! Steve Gladen and James Browning look at the history of the small group network and what things that are currently happening that could make a big difference for you or your ministry.

Check out our Year In Review to find out just how big of an impact members of the network made last year: https://smallgroupnetwork.com/articles/2021-small-group-network-year-in-review/

Crawl: Have an small group ministry idea? Share it with us and we will crowd source a ministry ideas book! Not only will you get a copy of the fun and helpful ideas book but you'll also be entered to win an iPad. Now that's a great idea! https://smallgroupnetwork.com/ideasbook/
Walk: We are excited to be launching the Group Talk podcast network. What does that mean? First of all, it means the Group Talk podcast is breaking up and everyone is getting their own show. So make sure to subscribe to each show individually:
Here To There With Carolyn Taketa: https://share.transistor.fm/s/5ec5fb80
Leadership Journey With Bill Search: https://share.transistor.fm/s/205fa92d
and our newest member of the network Why God Why? from Peter Englert at Browncroft Church: https://share.transistor.fm/s/4f738575
Run: Help us create GROUP Method curriculum! Stay tuned to the small group network website for details on that or join the livestream at 10am Pacific time on April 13th https://fb.me/e/4bLc3Iczt

Our future prediction is that big things are coming from even smaller places. Plus, now is the time to join a huddle. Share your small group predictions for the next 15 years in the reviews section on your favorite podcast app or in our facebook group!

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Each of us sets out to be successful but who defines what it means to be successful? How do we get there? The answer may surprise you. In this episode of Reading Lenz we learn from Hall of Fame basketball Coach John Wooden, winner of 10 national championships who would be the first to tell you it wasn’t his championships that determined his success.

Tune in as host Nick Lenzi and guest Peter Englert, host of the Why God Why podcast cover the book Wooden: A Lifetime of Observations and Reflections on and off the Court by legendary basketball coach John Wooden.

Show Notes:

The Pyramid of Success - https://www.thewoodeneffect.com/pyramid-of-success/

About our guest Peter Englert:

Peter Englert serves as the Adult Ministries Director at Browncroft Community Church. He married Robyn and along with their daughter Hayley, they reside in Rochester, NY. Peter graduated from the University of Valley Forge with a B.A. in Pastoral Ministries and an M.A. of Theology. He is the co-host of the hit podcast Why God Why?

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Show Notes:
The Art of Gathering: How we meet and why it matters by Priya Parker

The Essential Guide for Small Group Leaders by Bill Search
Why does a group get tired?

•Leader begins to coast
•Meeting becomes routine
•Relationships hit a plateau
•Purpose is lost
#1 Leader Coasting

Am I practicing “Generous Authority”?

– [Priya Parker]

“’Chill’ is selfishness disguised as kindness.”

Priya Parker

Generous Authority Serves others by:

1.Protecting group members
2.Equalizing group members
3.Inter-Connecting group members

We practice Generous Authority by:1.Practicing good MANNERS in the group
2.Reminding all of the “RULES”
3.Encourage “Sprout” Speeches not “Stump” Speeches

Now What?
1. Re-affirm Covenant

Have tough conversations
Re-up as the leader or get out
Share Leadership

#2 Meeting Routine

“The room is doing 80% of the job” – Jerry Seinfeld

Venue Matters

1.The space should be a symbol of reason for meeting

2.The space should bring out desired behaviors and discourage those you don’t

3.Consider density

Format Matters

1.Mix it up
2.Curtail the dull parts
3.Try different curriculum

Now What?
1. Rotate Hosting

Share testimony
Serve together
Choose an unlikely meeting place

#3 Relationships Plateaued

Why does this happen?

1.We stop being curious about others
2.We decide how far we will go relationally
3.Potential conflict zones are avoided
4.We don’t feel safe

What can you do about it?

1.Don’t avoid the awkward – embrace it

2.Utilize GOOD ice-breakers
3.Encourage people to share what no one in the group would guess/ know about them
4.Talk about the forbidden subjects of politics, sex, and religion
5.Don’t stop conflict but guide it
6.Navigate underlying conflicts

Now What?
1. Split by gender

Subgroup for prayer
Retreat
Day trip, local restaurants, or local tourism

#4 Lost Purpose

“A good gathering purpose should be ‘disputable’”
– The Art of Gathering by Parker

Start by asking “WHY are we meeting?”

1.First, ask the church leadership
2.Reverse engineer current meeting

and compare to stated goal
3.Who is this for?

Second ask “Why are WE meeting?”

1.Is our goal the same as the leadership’s goal?

2.Do we have a different goal?

Third, re-state and re-affirm your purpose

1.Discuss the purpose as a group
2.Arrive at consensus
3.Everyone has to re-up

That didn’t work. Now what?

How to End Your Group

(Page 87, Essential Guide for Small Group Leaders)
1.Understand all groups come to a natural end
2.Get input from group members
3.Ask everyone to make a personal plan
4.Plan a final meeting and put it on the calendar
5.End the group in a prayer circle
6.Don’t forget to tell your pastor or small group coach that your group has ended

Recommended Resources:

Dare to Lead by Brene Brown
The Art of Gathering By Parker
Essential Guide for Small Group Leaders by Search Questions?

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What are younger generations looking for from churches, small groups, and leaders? What are some unique markers of this generation? What does it look like for them to deconstruct their faith? Join us for this conversation with Saddleback's Development Pastor Dave Alford, who has worked with younger generations for decades both in ministry and higher education to learn how we can better care for, minister to, and engage young adults in our lives, in our churches, on our staffs, and in our communities.

Bio:

Dave Alford Is Pastor of Leadership Development at Saddleback Church where his team oversees small groups, next steps, interns, and ministries to men, women, and singles. Dave’s background includes experience in business, pastoral ministry, and higher education. Dave also writes, coaches, and speaks about leadership. Dave has a Bachelors degree from UC Davis, an MBA from USC, and a doctorate in Organizational Leadership from Pepperdine University.

Show Notes:

Contact Dave at dalford@saddleback.com

For this topic, Dave recommends: The Coddling of the American Mind by Greg Lukianoff and Jonathan Haidt (2018)

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In each "Inside Saddleback" Group Talk Podcast episode we feature four unique segments: Saddleback Scoop, Network Nugget, Leadership Learning and the Trending Topic. In this exciting new episode, we cover the following insightful topics:

Saddleback Scoop: Year 2022 oof!
SGPP Vision—focus TRUST—Truth, resilience, Unity, Stewardship, Teachability rolled out
CL Launch—Retreat moved to April 8/9, but each campus rolled it out
You—moved to short term goals (100 days)

Network Nugget: Year 15 is a wrap
Lobby recap, celebrated our 15th year!
Podcasts 6800 downloads last month/250k since 2015
FB Group 13.4k
FB Page followers 116k
Twitter followers 4.5k
Articles 992
Website visitors 9k unique/month
SGN Ideas Book Link - /ideasbook
Group Talk Podcast Network launched Link
G.R.O.U.P. Method Bible
ATTAIN (for small group leaders) launched, ALIGN and ACCELERATE!

Leadership Learning: Yester Year
How are you learning? Read what God has done in History
0 to 1500 AD
Last 500 Years
Last 50 years
Current
All leaders are learners…research, ask those you respect, look into areas you need to stretch

Trending Topic: Year 2040? Remember when 2020 seemed so far off?
This year the Pew Research Center asked innovators, developers, business and policy leaders, researchers, and activists to consider what life will be like in 2025 in the wake of the pandemic and other crises. The broad—and nearly universal—view from more than 915 respondents may not seem all that surprising...

What do we get from this research?
The small group will need to embrace technology…think phone
Groups are the answer to diversity and helping
Great opportunity for groups to help in the social need areas
Volunteers available as work is flexible
Groups need to focus on tech advances to serve community
Now is the time to pray and plan for the future (Acts 13:2—"appoint Barnabas and Saul for the special work to which I have called them”) of small groups and how we communicate the good news about Jesus to an increasingly wired (tech) and suspicious world.

Shownotes:http://www.smallgroupnetwork.com/IdeasBook

http://www.smallgroupnetwork.com/lobbywelcome

https://www.smallgroupnetwork.com/events

https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2021/02/18/experts-say-the-new-normal-in-2025-will-be-far-more-tech-driven-presenting-more-big-challenges

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When faced with an enviable challenge, how can we best use community to drive us to unity instead defaulting back to our standard of individuality?

Join us on this rewind episode we are going back to an impactful book Tribe:On Homecoming and Belonging by award winning wartime journalist Sebastian Junger. In this episode modernity is affecting community and how groups are in a prime position to fight for what are heart actually desires.

More About Tommy Carreras:

Tommy never had any intention of being in ministry. Jesus found him at 17 and after 6 years figuring out what in the world that meant, he packed everything moved to Ventura CA with his wife, Lauren to work at Mission Church where they served for eight years. Earlier this year they moved to Tennessee to be close to family and work alongside Michael and Cathy Dye implementing and updating The Genesis Process (https://www.genesisprocess.org/).

Tommy is also a contributor to the Small Group Network blog and podcast.

Tommy's Website → https://tommycarreras.com

Former Shows Referenced:

Extreme Ownership ►►https://grouptalksgn.libsyn.com/reading-lenz-extreme-ownership

Canoeing the Mountain ►►https://grouptalksgn.libsyn.com/reading-lenz-canoeing-the-mountain-w-kiersten-telzerow

Lighting Round References:

Mission's Change Workshop (Michael Dye's recovery content)

► missionventura.com/changeworkshop

Unhindered: Aligning the Story of Your Heart

► https://www.amazon.com/Unhindered-Aligning-Story-Your-Heart/dp/1950718743

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Unhindered: Aligning the Story of Your Heart

Show Notes:
The Art of Gathering: How we meet and why it matters by Priya Parker

The Essential Guide for Small Group Leaders by Bill Search
Why does a group get tired?

•Leader begins to coast
•Meeting becomes routine
•Relationships hit a plateau
•Purpose is lost
#1 Leader Coasting

Am I practicing “Generous Authority”?

– [Priya Parker]

“’Chill’ is selfishness disguised as kindness.”

Priya Parker

Generous Authority Serves others by:

1.Protecting group members
2.Equalizing group members
3.Inter-Connecting group members

We practice Generous Authority by:1.Practicing good MANNERS in the group
2.Reminding all of the “RULES”
3.Encourage “Sprout” Speeches not “Stump” Speeches

Now What?
1. Re-affirm Covenant

Have tough conversations
Re-up as the leader or get out
Share Leadership

#2 Meeting Routine

“The room is doing 80% of the job” – Jerry Seinfeld

Venue Matters

1.The space should be a symbol of reason for meeting

2.The space should bring out desired behaviors and discourage those you don’t

3.Consider density

Format Matters

1.Mix it up
2.Curtail the dull parts
3.Try different curriculum

Now What?
1. Rotate Hosting

Share testimony
Serve together
Choose an unlikely meeting place

#3 Relationships Plateaued

Why does this happen?

1.We stop being curious about others
2.We decide how far we will go relationally
3.Potential conflict zones are avoided
4.We don’t feel safe

What can you do about it?

1.Don’t avoid the awkward – embrace it

2.Utilize GOOD ice-breakers
3.Encourage people to share what no one in the group would guess/ know about them
4.Talk about the forbidden subjects of politics, sex, and religion
5.Don’t stop conflict but guide it
6.Navigate underlying conflicts

Now What?
1. Split by gender

Subgroup for prayer
Retreat
Day trip, local restaurants, or local tourism

#4 Lost Purpose

“A good gathering purpose should be ‘disputable’”
– The Art of Gathering by Parker

Start by asking “WHY are we meeting?”

1.First, ask the church leadership
2.Reverse engineer current meeting

and compare to stated goal
3.Who is this for?

Second ask “Why are WE meeting?”

1.Is our goal the same as the leadership’s goal?

2.Do we have a different goal?

Third, re-state and re-affirm your purpose

1.Discuss the purpose as a group
2.Arrive at consensus
3.Everyone has to re-up

That didn’t work. Now what?

How to End Your Group

(Page 87, Essential Guide for Small Group Leaders)
1.Understand all groups come to a natural end
2.Get input from group members
3.Ask everyone to make a personal plan
4.Plan a final meeting and put it on the calendar
5.End the group in a prayer circle
6.Don’t forget to tell your pastor or small group coach that your group has ended

Recommended Resources:

Dare to Lead by Brene Brown
The Art of Gathering By Parker
Essential Guide for Small Group Leaders by Search Questions?

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Guests: Rex & Andrea Minor

Intro:

How has your marriage been impacted by working at a church? How are you navigating the unique stressors of vocational ministry and its influence on your marriage? What are some ways we can build and sustain a healthy marriage that helps us thrive in ministry? In honor of the upcoming Valentine’s Day, this episode focuses on how you can maintain and grow a healthy marriage when you work in ministry.

Bios:

Rex Minor: Over the last 30 years, Rex has been involved in various pastoral positions in the areas of discipleship, spiritual formation, small groups, support/recovery groups and as an executive pastor. He has served in senior leadership roles in large churches in several states. Rex is currently on staff at Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, CA in the area of care and support ministries,

Andrea Minor: Andrea has been in vocational ministry for over 25 years in large churches in Illinois, Colorado and California. She has led in the areas of children’s ministries, women’s ministries, creative arts, weekend experiences, and also served as a small groups pastor. Currently she is a minister on the 301 team at Saddleback Church, helping others find and use their spiritual gifts in the life of the church.

Rex and Andrea have been married for 40 lovely years and have three married grown children and four adorable grandchildren.

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In each "Inside Saddleback" Group Talk Podcast episode we feature four unique segments: Saddleback Scoop, Network Nugget, Leadership Learning and the Trending Topic. In this exciting new episode, we cover the following insightful topics:

Saddleback Scoop: 3 Keys to Unity

Success is never a solo entity. You need Mentors, Models, Partners and friends
The older I get, it’s not so much the place, but the people I am doing life & ministry with.
Love always wins out.

Key Scriptures on unity from Rick Warren's message you can take deeper:
YOUR LOVE
“My dear friends, we always have good reason to thank God for you, because your faith in God and your love for each other
keep growing all the time!” 2 Thes. 1:3

“ Love is more important than anything else. It is what ties everything completely together.” Col. 3:14

YOUR FAITH
“We always thank God for you all ... for how you put your faith into practice...” 1 Thess. 1:2-3

YOUR GENEROUS SPIRIT
“They were extremely generous in their giving ...giving even more than they could afford.”

Network Nugget—Diversity.

Diversity depends on your area, but also depends on proximity in these areas.
1. You
2. Your small group & small group ministry
3. Your leadership
4. Your church

Leadership Learning—Civility

How to be civil? Try these 7 guidelines:

Listen with your eyes (don’t roll your eyes) acknowledge their view
Sleep and hungry—know the right time
Social media news vs. Good news
Neither side may trivialize or dismiss the concerns of the other.
Neither side should define the “other” according to one single characteristic or identity marker.
Both sides should aim to help each other understand their own experience and perspective using a type of speech (words and tone) that can be heard by the other.
Both sides should accept the fundamental ground rule of life in a free society: the essence of

Liberty is the right to be different and to act wrongly in the eyes of others—you will need to agree to disagree. Look at the fundamental role of fear in situations of public conflict that we end up facing in our culture, politics, and law and can I add our small groups:
- The fear of being excluded from full participation in public discourse or public life;
- The fear that the other side is trying to coerce change of my side’s core identity
- The fear that the other side will use the power of law to force my side’s conformity with beliefs and practices that we find vile; and
- The fear of losing or betraying deeply valued relationships of love, either with the Divine or with people, or both. Fear is your greatest enemy in being civil. Presidential deranged syndrome. Focus on doing Jesus stuff
and BELIEVING Jesus has everything in control
Now these three things, are essential to understanding the Trending Topic

Trending Topic—Where the Groups needs to shine
Why do we think laws are going to change people’s hearts?
Too often we get sucked into a battle that is a lose/lose because we forget, the church is the answer.
Look at the big topics at a super high level: abortion, sexual identity, racism and socialism. Laws don’t change hearts.

Abortion

Health care
Community around...will have baby
Religious and married—can’t afford, don’t think they will have the support—they made one mistake, the church needs to help them not make another.

Racism:

The most segregated hour in America is Sunday mornings. We like unity, struggle with diversity

Socialism
- Broken society
- Broken family systems
- Never had a parent, happy to look to the government (why not the church)

Sexual Identity
- Most church’s not an open conversation
- Don’t know how to love and not condone or approving (divorce)
- Preston Sprinkle

How to not get sucked into the wrong argument? Temptation—Lead us not into temptation - Sermon of the Mount.
1. Yes to God, get in the right place
2. Watch and pray, you will do dumb things
3. Put down roots, authentic community, God’s Word
4. Remember your purpose, why are you on this planet.

https://share.transistor.fm/s/09f048a7 - Your Small Group's Role Against Racism
https://share.transistor.fm/s/7e0d9d0f - Developing an Anti-Racist Culture in Your Small Group

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Why are habits the best way to build consistency inside your groups? Join us for this month's episode of Reading Lenz as host Nick Lenzi is joined by Amber Walker to breakdown the New Times #1 Best Seller Atomic Habits by James Clear. This book has sold over 5 million copies, tune into to hear what you should know about this book and the takeaways we are bringing into our groups.

Episode Highlights:

Atomic Habits Intro (8:35)

Difference between a habit and a goal (12:40)

Make it obvious (17:30)

Make it attractive (21:50)

Make it easy (28:40)

Make it satisfying (37:05)

Lightning Round (42:00)

More About Our Guest Amber Walker:

Amber is the Director of Engagement at The Bible Chapel in Pittsburgh, PA where she has been for 2 ½ years. Prior to moving home to Pittsburgh, she was working in New York City doing marketing for American Express. When she's not creating community, you can find her cheering on the Steelers and seeking out good eats around town.

About the Host Nick Lenzi:

Nick has been helping people belong as the Community Director at Hoboken Grace Church in Hoboken, NJ since 2009. Prior to joining Hoboken Grace full time, he was an analyst on Wall Street at an investment bank. He is also the host of the show Reading Lenz which airs on the Group Talk Podcast on the 4th Wednesday of each month.

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Do you "want to want to read the Bible?" Do you or your groups struggle to incorporate Bible reading as a regular habit? We talk with Tara-Leigh Cobble, host of the Bible Recap, a short digest of a daily bible reading. With millions of downloads, Tara Leigh has been enormously influential in helping people love to read and understand the Bible. She also believes that the Bible is best understood in the context of community, alongside one another in groups. So Tara-Leigh founded and leads D-Groups to deepen Biblical understanding, community, and accountability, and she shares how these discipleship groups can work in any church or community environment.

Links:

https://www.taraleighcobble.com/

https://www.thebiblerecap.com/

https://www.taraleighcobble.com/d-group

https://www.mydgroup.org/church

★ Support this podcast ★

In each "Inside Saddleback" Group Talk Podcast episode we feature four unique segments: Saddleback Scoop, Network Nugget, Leadership Learning and the Trending Topic. In this exciting new episode, we cover the following insightful topics:

Saddleback Scoop: Your Vision Casting
Getting you ready

The moment we are in doesn’t pause the mission we are on! - Ed Stetzer
Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a KNOWN God. - Corey Ten Boom
SGPP Vision—focus TRUST—Truth, resilience, Unity, Stewardship, Teachability
CL Launch--Retreat
You need to set the tone and set it fast!

Network Nugget: Your Ability to TAKE, GIVE and WIN
What are you most excited about for the SGN in 2022?

TAKE:
Physical Lobby February 22 to 24, 2022 - this event will serve YOU
- 15 Year Anniversary—everyone attending gets our commemorative coin
- New Format: Tracks—New, Veterans, church size
- 2 challenge talks for groups you aren’t thinking about
ATTAIN (for small group leaders) launching 2022 in DC/Baltimore area, Nashville, Dallas, Hawaii and Orlando
GIVE/ TAKE / WIN:

SGN Ideas Book
Win an iPad, Get a course
How to enter
Each idea and if on mailing list

Leadership Learning: Your Thoughts on who can lead
Could I challenge you? Three easy steps to get Leaders:
- Crawl: Subgrouping to figure out who’s next… 3 S’s…no one does apprenticing well
- Walk: Raise a leader at a Connection Event—Chapter 16 SGWP
- Run: 2 Friends Strategy. Follow me to die for me. What is the highest qualification for leadership—followers (friends). Now we have a structure in place to make sure groups don’t drive off the road! Example of a person going to church talking after lunch

Trending Topic: Your Perspective on YOU
How do you maximize 2022?
The High-Performance Pyramid

You (Corporate Athlete)
Physical, Your Body, desires, how you feed it
Emotional, Positive Emotions—spiritual disciplines, what goes in…SM?
Mental, cognitive—Align, Accelerate!, podcasts
Spiritual, deepest values and defining a strong sense of purpose, health assessment, improvement, growth area
Ministry, Long term vision, short term vision—short term crisis helps shape long term outcomes
SMALL GROUP MININSTRY—Accelerate! course
Greatest Task of Leadership—Clarify Your SGM Purpose
Greatest Task for Your Leadership—Clarify Your Purpose

Shownotes:

www.smallgroups.net/themes

https://www.smallgroupnetwork.com/lobby-gathering-small-groups/
http://www.smallgroupnetwork.com/IdeasBook
https://hbr.org/2001/01/the-making-of-a-corporate-athlete

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Has your life been changed by a small group? Do you know someone else who has been transformed? Love God Greatly is a ministry that creates and translates Bible studies in 40 different languages. James Browning interviews Viola Bolbas and Angela Perritt about how God has been using their Bible studies and groups to impact women across the globe. Throughout the interview you'll also hear stories from the women in the groups from several different countries.

If you are interested in groups ministry or if you are a seasoned small group point person, hearing the testimonies of those who are impacted will never stop renewing your heart.

To find out more about Love God Greatly, just visit https://lovegodgreatly.com/

And to learn more about the Small Group Network, head over to https://smallgroupnetwork.com/ or join our facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/SGNContact

#bible-study #smallgroup #womensministry

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On this final episode of the year we pause to reflect on our learnings and takeaways from the 12 episodes we did this year. Below you can find all episodes from this past year: January - Creativity Inc. - https://bit.ly/3qfRpeJ February - Never Split the Difference - https://bit.ly/3yLVXxa March - E-Myth - https://bit.ly/3edS7Ud April - How to Lead When Your Not in Charge - https://bit.ly/3mpOfnt May - Silos Politics and Turf Wars - https://bit.ly/3H2gfp7 June - Art of the Gathering - https://bit.ly/32rpVe0 July - Ted Lasso - https://bit.ly/32oREvI August - Hero Maker - https://bit.ly/32s2IIk September - The Other Half of The Church - https://bit.ly/3mow2Xk October - Made to Stick - https://bit.ly/3H0XAdp November - Hospitality - https://bit.ly/3Fj3AxL December - Live No Lies - https://bit.ly/3qjtefm★ Support this podcast ★

Lobby Gathering 2022 - Don't forget promo code grouptalk for your $100 off!

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Join us for an honest and engaging conversation about NY Times bestseller, "Live No Lies, Recognize and Resist the Three Enemies that Sabotage Your Peace." Author and pastor John Mark Comer says "the problem isn't that we've been told lies, it's that we end up believing them." So what are some lies about God, ourselves, other people, church, and ministry that we believe? How are these lies forming or "deforming" our character and life with God? Comer tackles the three sources of lies (devil, flesh, world), challenges us to combat the various lies, and gives some practices to win the battle and live daily in the truth of the Kingdom of God. No More Lies Book Lobby Gathering 2022 - Don't forget to use promo code grouptalk to get your $100 off!★ Support this podcast ★

Live No Lies: Recognize and Resist the Three Enemies That Sabotage Your Peace

In each "Inside Saddleback" Group Talk Podcast episode, we feature 4 unique segments: Saddleback Scoop, Network Nugget, Leadership Learning and the Trending Topic. In this exciting new episode, we cover the following insightful topics: Saddleback Scoop: Get ready for 2022--DiscipleMAKING Group Launch (onramp)—DiscipleMAKING - Is it small group or discipleship? - Cost of DiscipleMaking CL Launch--Retreat SGPP Vision—focus TRUST—Truth, resilience, Unity, Stewardship, Teachability Network Nugget: Lobby Gathering 2022 Our personal look back of the SGN this year Physical Lobby Gathering February 22 to 24, 2022 - 15 Year Anniversary - New Format: Tracks—New, Veterans, church size - 2 challenge talks for groups you aren’t thinking about ATTAIN (for small group leaders) launching 2022 in DC, Nashville, Dallas and Hawaii SGN Ideas Book Leadership Learning: 6 questions to survive attackers (within and outside) - What do you do when supporters are your enemies? - 6 questions to ask to survive attackers—2022 will bring tons! - Who am I looking to for support? - Have I prayed about the problem? - Have I thanked God for the solution? Trending Topic: 2 acts of Leadership 2 Duties of Leadership—Clarify Purpose and Saying Thank You - Why Gratitude is important? - How to show Gratitude Shownotes: 2022 Lobby Gathering BOTH SCRIPTURE & SCIENTIFIC STUDIES SHOW HAVING A MINDSET OF GRATITUDE YIELDS GREAT BLESSINGS Gratitude improves your brain and physical health Gratitude creates happiness Gratitude helps you sleep better Gratitude is the antidote to toxic emotions Gratitude improves relationships Gratitude opens the door to people and opportunities Gratitude is the evidence of maturity Gratitude pleases God and brings his blessing How to show Gratitude Be Specific Using a name says you are important. 48 times Nehemiah uses a personal name. You are important. Focus on the details of what they have done. What you did was important. Be Sensitive Move past the surface and the heart. Recognize the heart when you notice their character. Humility, generosity Be searching Reminder to do it. We get too busy. We think more about how I should be appreciated. If you are unappreciated, appreciate someone. Studies show you get new energy and happiness when you appreciate someone! ★ Support this podcast ★

Do you remember your first night at group? Do you remember the message you talked about? Or do you remember how they made you feel?

We often overlook how we are intentionally welcoming those new to our community and into our groups. On this episode we are joined by hospitality expert, Sarah Neral, who will share with us practical ways we can impact our groups through biblical hospitality.

ABOUT OUR GUEST

Sarah Neral is the Associate Director of Community at Hoboken Grace in Hoboken, NJ. One of Sarah’s biggest joy comes from building community and helping people get connected. A North Carolina native, she joined Hoboken Grace in 2011 when she moved to the NY/NJ area and joined staff in 2015. Prior to Hoboken Grace, Sarah worked in Wealth Management and Philanthropic Solutions with US Trust. When she’s not exploring Hoboken with her husband, CJ, and daughter, Lela Rose, you can find her immersed in a great book, planning a party or hosting a friendly gathering.

SAMPLE EMAIL

Hi NAME,

We are so excited you decided to join our small group. This will be a great opportunity for you to meet others just like you, who are looking for a space to connect, to talk, to listen and to become closer to God.

We will come together every WEEK DAY from ENTER TIME. We'll be meeting SHARE DETAILS.

Please feel free to invite others to join our group. Amazing things happen when we come together.

I left my number below if you have any questions.

See you next WEEK DAY!

Thanks,

YOUR NAME

555-555-5555

SAMPLE TEXT

Hey THEIR NAME — This is YOUR NAME. Just sent you an email about our group. If you have need anything don’t be afraid to text.

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Join us for Lobby 2022! Sign up today!

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Guest: Allen White Bio: Allen White has led small group and discipleship ministries for over 30 years. He has coached over 1,500 churches and is the author of four books including his latest book, Leading Online Small Groups: Embracing the Church's Digital Future. He works with churches through individual coaching, online courses, consultations as well as providing resources through his blog, a free email newsletter, and occasional videos. https://allenwhite.org/ Sign up for Lobby Gathering 2022 today!★ Support this podcast ★

In each "inside Saddleback" Group Talk Podcast episode, we feature four unique segments: Saddleback Scoop, Network Nugget, Leadership Learning and the Trending Topic. In this exciting new episode, we cover the following insightful topics: Saddleback Scoop: Fall Learnings Update * Group Launch (Update) * + Rick video and small group testimony + Customizing Campuses + Learnings + Sharpen communication + Stop distractions + Empower the campus creativity…kind of Picture + Innovation was off the charts + GROUP Method IBS born * CL Launch (Update) * + 5 modules + - Module One: Being an Intentional Shepherd - Module Two: Intentional Shepherding and Spiritual Presence - Module Three: Graceful Conversations - Module Four: Asking Insightful and Inspired Questions - Module Five: Resources to help you + All Day training at the Ranch…starting push to train all 350 CL’s

Network Nugget: Growth Spurt * Growth Page over 50k, FB Group approaching 10k, * + UPDATE Virtual Lobby going global in 2022 + New course to follow: Leadership Essentials * Physical Lobby February 22 to 24, 2022 * + 15 Year Anniversary—everyone attending gets our commemorative coin + New Format: Tracks—New, Veterans, church size + 2 challenge talks for groups you aren’t thinking about * ATTAIN (for small group leaders) launching 2022 in DC, Nashville, Dallas and Orlando

Leadership Learning: What’s the Path? * Leadership Development—follow me to die for me * Leaders—Engaging Phase to Equipping Phase to Empowering Phase to Energizing Phase * + HOST Today + Leader Tomorrow + Minister Forever * CL’s—FRIEND to be a LEADER to be a COACH * Staff—Push the Residence thought with Intern Program and course

Trending Topic: 3 Must Have Answers 1. Do we have enough groups? 2. How is our customer service? 3. How is the spiritual health of our individuals and groups?

The 4 helpful list from Tom Patterson’s Organization. With the pandemic subsiding, now is a good time to get perspective on where your existing and new groups are at regarding health and continuity of where you want to go with groups. Ask their story before you begin
What’s healthy in small groups?
What’s unhealthy? (needs to change)
What’s confusing (needs clarity)
What’s missing (needs to be added)
Health Assessment
New Leadership Course
Lobby Gathering 2022
Small Group Leadership Training Kit
Small Group Network Internship
Social Justice, CRT article
Small Group Testimony Video
Pastor Rick's Request Video

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As groups people we are always faced with the challenge to communicate ideas, tips, and hacks to help our people lead to the best of their abilities. So how do we communicate those ideas so that they will stick? What is it that makes it memorable so that those we are leading take an actionable step? This month’s episode of Reading Lenz with @Nick Lenzi is joined by @JW Hilliard from @Southside Church in Peachtree City, GA - tune in as they break down the book Made to Stick by Chip and Dan Heath and learn why some ideas thrive and others die.

TODAY’S BOOK

Made to Stick by Chip and Dan Heath.

SHOW NOTES

The Six Principles of Success

Simple
Unexpected
Concrete
Credible
Emotional
Stories

ABOUT OUR GUEST

Passionate about empowering others to live boldly for Jesus through biblical community, JW serves as a Groups Director at Southside Church in Peachtree City, GA. He enjoys hiking, coffee, good books, and great conversations. He's blessed to serve Jesus through the local church and to share life with his amazing wife Melissa and two awesome sons Cade and Zechariah.

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Join us February 22-24, 2022 at our Lobby Gathering!!

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Couples groups are uniquely positioned to positively influence individuals and strengthen marriages as marital issues are shared in an environment of grace and trust. What are tips for leading couples groups that build safe and meaningful spaces? How can group members come alongside one another to strengthen their marriages? What are the landmines to avoid when leading a couples group? Pop in and listen to veteran group leaders Rick (psychologist) and Sheri Blackmon (Bible teacher and pastor), married for 40+ years, share their wisdom and experiences from leading young marrieds to empty nester groups.

Guests: Rick Blackmon, PhD in Clinical Psychology and Sheri Blackmon, MDiv Fuller Theological Seminary

Rick Blackmon PhD (Fuller Theological Seminary) is a clinical psychologist in private practice for 35+ years. He specializes in working with adults, marriages, and clergy on their own emotional and spiritual growth. Rick taught a course at Fuller Theological Seminary for 22 years on clergy growth and has led many seminars on marital issues throughout his career.

Sheri Blackmon has BAs in English Literature and Religious Studies from Westmont College and an MDiv degree from Fuller Theological Seminary. She was ordained as pastor in the Presbyterian Church (USA) where she served for 15 years mainly as Associate Pastor, which included small groups ministry. Sheri moved into Christian education at an independent college preparatory 6-12 school for 19+ years as founding member, chaplain, department chair, and teacher. She blogs about “finding your footing and purpose in a life disrupter” at https://lifeafterwhy.com/

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In each "inside Saddleback" Group Talk Podcast episode, we feature four unique segments: Saddleback Scoop, Network Nugget, Leadership Learning and the Trending Topic. In this exciting new episode, we cover the following insightful topics: Saddleback Scoop: New Fall Group Launch Ideas * Group Launch * + Rick's email + Customizable Campuses + - each of the 19 campuses doing their own October emphasis. - Felt need THEN find curriculum--relevant * Community Group Launch * + 5 modules + - Module One: Being an Intentional Shepherd - Module Two: Intentional Shepherding and Spiritual Presence - Module Three: Graceful Conversations - Module Four: Asking Insightful and Inspired Questions - Module Five: Resources to help you + All Day training at the Ranch * SGP Growth * + New Leadership Development Pathway + Listen to Reading Lenz….

Network Nugget: Networking 101 * Virtual Lobby is Back! Leadership Development (October 7th) * + Go through each speaker + Go over the breakouts * smallgroupnetwork.com/virtuallobby * New course to follow: Leadership Essentials (share details) * Physical Lobby February 22 to 24, 2022. * + 15 Year Anniversary—everyone attending gets our commemorative coin + New Format: Tracks—New, Veterans, church size + 2 challenge talks for groups you aren’t thinking about

Leadership Learning: Dreams Post Pandemic * How to Manage a God Give Dream coming out of the pandemic. * Develop disciplined * Choose Service to serve others * Remember who owns the dream * Learn to forgive * Tests and Responses * What to do at the point of change—retreat or move forward * Plan for the future * Dream Inhibitors * + 3 Trends Shaping the Post-Pandemic Church + Feel like 2021 has been harder than 2020 on you as a leader? You're right. Here's why

Trending Topic: The Bible is Hot! * Uncertainty and Unrest Cause Major Shifts. From the online church revolution, to socially-distanced small groups, the landscape of Christian faith and worship in America has been deeply disrupted in the past year…in a good way! The strain of the ongoing pandemic and civil unrest in our nation continues to alter every aspect of life including personal relationships, church participation, and engagement with Scripture.   However, despite the troubles we are experiencing, there are signs of hope and great opportunity when it comes to the Bible. * Great opportunity for 40 Days in the Word—January 2022!!!! LINK

Show Notes: Pastor Rick's Email Reading Lenz Virtual Lobby Lobby Gathering 2022 3 Trends Shaping the Post-Pandemic Church Feel like 2021 has been harder than 2020 on you as a leader? You're right. Here's why 40 Days in the Word Bonus: Was Sodom Destroyed by a Meteor?★ Support this podcast ★

Are you a small group leader? Or considering becoming a small group leader? Whether you have years of experience or you've been asked to give church groups a try for the first time, this is our miniseries on How To Be A Small Group Leader.

Each episode shares insights and tips from small group pastors and point people around the country, sharing the training that they give their own small group leaders. Learn from experienced leaders on how to build a lasting discipleship community that will transform each member, more into the image of Christ, and build lifelong relationships.

For more information on being a groups leader or even a groups point person, visit smallgroupnetwork.com and best of all of, for quick answers, fun ideas, and a community of people just like you, visit our facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/SGNContact

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Are you a small group leader? Or considering becoming a small group leader? Whether you have years of experience or you've been asked to give church groups a try for the first time, this is our miniseries on How To Be A Small Group Leader.

Each episode shares insights and tips from small group pastors and point people around the country, sharing the training that they give their own small group leaders. Learn from experienced leaders on how to build a lasting discipleship community that will transform each member, more into the image of Christ, and build lifelong relationships.

For more information on being a groups leader or even a groups point person, visit smallgroupnetwork.com and best of all of, for quick answers, fun ideas, and a community of people just like you, visit our facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/SGNContact

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Are you a small group leader? Or considering becoming a small group leader? Whether you have years of experience or you've been asked to give church groups a try for the first time, this is our miniseries on How To Be A Small Group Leader.

This is the third of five episodes and each episode shares insights and tips from small group pastors and point people around the country, sharing the training that they give their own small group leaders. Learn from experienced leaders on how to build a lasting discipleship community that will transform each member, more into the image of Christ, and build lifelong relationships.

For more information on being a groups leader or even a groups point person, visit smallgroupnetwork.com and best of all of, for quick answers, fun ideas, and a community of people just like you, visit our Facebook group by searching for small group network.

★ Support this podcast ★

Are you a small group leader? Or considering becoming a small group leader? Whether you have years of experience or you've been asked to give church groups a try for the first time, this is our miniseries on How To Be A Small Group Leader.

This is the second of five episodes and each episode shares insights and tips from small group pastors and point people around the country, sharing the training that they give their own small group leaders. Learn from experienced leaders on how to build a lasting discipleship community that will transform each member, more into the image of Christ, and build lifelong relationships.

For more information on being a groups leader or even a groups point person, visit smallgroupnetwork.com and best of all of, for quick answers, fun ideas, and a community of people just like you, visit our Facebook group by searching for small group network.

★ Support this podcast ★

Are you a small group leader? Or considering becoming a small group leader? Whether you have years of experience or you've been asked to give church groups a try for the first time, this is our miniseries on How To Be A Small Group Leader.

Each episode shares insights and tips from small group pastors and point people around the country, sharing the training that they give their own small group leaders. Learn from experienced leaders on how to build a lasting discipleship community that will transform each member, more into the image of Christ, and build lifelong relationships.

For more information on being a groups leader or even a groups point person, visit smallgroupnetwork.com and best of all of, for quick answers, fun ideas, and a community of people just like you, visit our Facebook group by searching for small group network.

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This month we cover the breakout book, The Other Half of The Church, which has taken the Small Group Network by storm. Join our host Nick Lenzi and guest Tommy Carreras as they help us understand how we can activate our full brain when it comes to our spiritual development inside our group. We learn why we tend to lean into left brain discipleship and four ingredients necessary to develop and maintain a vibrant transformational community. Those 4 are: Joy - True joy found through connection and relationships Attachment - The love of securely attached communities Group Identity - Group identity based on the character of Christ Healthy Correction - A culture of uplifting, healthy correction More About Tommy Carreras: Tommy never had any intention of being in ministry. Jesus found him at 17 and after 6 years figuring out what in the world that meant, he packed everything moved to Ventura CA with his wife, Lauren to work at Mission Church where they served for eight years. Earlier this year they moved to Tennessee to be close to family and work alongside Michael and Cathy Dye implementing and updating The Genesis Process (https://www.genesisprocess.org/). Tommy is also a contributor to the Small Group Network blog and podcast. Tommy's Website → https://tommycarreras.com Mission Ventura Group Statement Hoboken Grace Discussion Guidelines Tommy's Next Read Next Month's Reading Lenz Book, Made to Stick by Chip and Dan Heath Sign up for Virtual Lobby Today!★ Support this podcast ★

Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die

A lot has changed since Creating Community, by Andy Stanley and Bill Willits was published 16 years ago describing the North Point Church's vision and strategies for group life. New realities, cultural shifts, technological changes, sociological dynamics, and organizational challenges have caused us to reevaluate our assumptions and strategies about small groups ministries. Listen to Bill share North Point's learnings and how we can adapt strategically and creatively for a thriving small groups ministry today.

Guest: Bill Willits is the Executive Director of Adult Ministry Environments for North Point Ministries (NPM). One of the founding staff members of North Point, Bill is a graduate of Florida State University and Dallas Theological Seminary. He is also the co-author of the book, Creating Community with Andy Stanley, which was re-released in an updated and expanded edition in July, 2021. He and his team have helped connect thousands of adults into the benefits of group life.

NOTES:

North Point Small Group Resources

Why God Why Podcast

Virtual Lobby

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Saddleback Works
Small Group Network Virtual Lobby
The Other Half of Church Book

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The Other Half of Church: Christian Community, Brain Science, and Overcoming Spiritual Stagnation

Being someone in ministry the desire is in all of us to be the one that rescues others, provides them the support, and gives them care they deserve. But in the books, we cover this month on Reading Lenz we discover that being the hero might not be the best way to get our people where we them to be. Join this month's guest Allen White and host Nick Lenzi as they breakdown two hit books Buidling a Storybrand by Donald Miller and Hero Maker by Dave Ferguson and Warren Bird.

Register for our Virtual Lobby Event today!

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Register for the Small Group Network Virtual Lobby Today!

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How can we help people integrate their faith and build community in their workplaces? What is the role of work in our lives? Why is workplace ministry a strategic way to reach people? What are workplace groups, how do they function, and how do we start them? Guest: Ron Kelleher Ron Kelleher worked for Procter & Gamble for 36 years in a variety of roles and then transitioned into ministry. He earned a Master of Arts in biblical studies and theology from Talbot seminary and was ordained as a minister in 2012. He’s been serving in various ministries at Saddleback which has been his home church since 1991. Ron founded and led Inspired Leadership Inc which equips and encourages Christian leaders to live out their faith in the marketplace as well as Cross Work Consulting. In 2020, he became the volunteer director of Saddleback’s workplace ministry. www.saddleback.com/works Ronk@saddlebackvolunteer.com Register for our fall Virtual Lobby today! ★ Support this podcast ★

This week Kevin Lee joins Inside Saddleback. Contact Kevin at KevinL@saddleback.com

The New Digital Edge Article

2021 Connections Retreat

(Marks of a Good Shepherd)

From Jesus in John 10

By Rick Warren

GOOD SHEPHERDSGIVE PERSONAL ATTENTION TO INDIVIDUALS

“The good shepherd calls his own sheep by name...” John 10:3

GOOD SHEPHERDSLEAD BY EXAMPLE

“After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them,...”

John 10:4a

GOOD SHEPHERDSDEVELOPS TRUST THROUGH RELATIONSHIPS

“The sheep follow the good shepherd because they recognize his voice. They won't follow a stranger.” John 10:4-5

GOOD SHEPHERDSSACRIFICE FOR THOSE THEY LEAD

‘The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” John 10:11

GOOD SHEPHERDSSTAY WITH THE FLOCK IN TOUGH TIMES

“A hired hand will run away when he sees a wolf coming. He will abandon the sheep because they aren't his and he isn't their real shepherd. So the wolf attacks and scatters the flock, but a hired hand runs away because it’s only a job, and he has no real concern for the sheep.” John 10:12-13

From Other Scriptures

GOOD SHEPHERDSFEED & LEAD WITH LOVE

“He will feed his flock like a shepherd. He will carry the lambs in his arms, holding them close to his heart. He will gently lead the mother sheep with their young.” Isaiah 40:11 (NLT)

“When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd.” Mark 6:34

GOOD SHEPHERDSKEEP GROWING IN KNOWLEDGE & SKILL

“I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will lead you with knowledge and understanding.” Jeremiah 3:15 (NIV)

“David shepherded them with integrity of heart; with skillful hands he led them.” Psalm 78:72 (NIV)

GOOD SHEPHERDSHELP THE HURTING

"Prophesy against the shepherds of Israel. Give them this message from God: Shouldn't shepherds take care of their sheep?…But you have NOT strengthened the weak. And you have NOT supported the sick. And you have NOT bandaged the broken.” Ezekiel 34:2+4

GOOD SHEPHERDSGO AFTER THE LOST

“You have not gone looking for those who have wandered away and are lost… So I (the Lord) will hold you responsible for what has happened to my flock.” Ezekiel 34:4b + 10 (NLT)

GOOD SHEPHERDSSERVE JOYFULLY

“Care for the flock of God entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly--not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God. Don't lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your good example. And when the head Shepherd comes, your reward will be a never-ending share in his glory and honor.” 1 Pet 5:2- 4 (NLT)

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Description: This month we take a break from reading to tackle the breakout TV show Ted Lasso. We have so much to learn from Ted Lasso. He’s the ideal small group point person. He’s humble, curious, and timely. My guest, Ben Reed, and I break down three key lessons we've learned from the show and how they are shaping our leadership and small groups.

Lesson One - Seeing the Best in Everyone (17:47)

Lesson Two - Be Curious (36:18)

Lesson Three - Better Together (48:23)

Get your SGN Coffee today!!

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How do we move from a homogenous church or group to one that welcomes full participation of people from different ethnicities? Why is it so important for churches to reflect their communities and be ethnically integrated as a reflection of the full Gospel? What can we do in our small groups to help create safe spaces for people to discuss issues related to ethnicity and socioeconomic differences as part of our discipleship? Listen as Dr. Derwin Gray envisions and calls churches to "grow out of ignorance, classism, racism, and greed into the flourishing, vibrant, and grace-filled communities of believers that God intended."

Guests: Dr. Derwin Gray & Kristel Avecedo

Bio:

Dr. Derwin L. Gray, a former NFL player, is the founding and lead pastor of Transformation Church (TC). Transformation Church is a multiethnic, multigeneration, mission-shaped community in the Charlotte, North Carolina area. Derwin and Vicki have been married for twenty-eight years and have two adult children. Derwin is the author of Building a Multiethnic Church: A Gospel Vision of Love, Grace, and Reconciliation in a Divided World and the host of Marinate on That Podcast

Kristel Acevedo serves at Transformation Church as a Content Creator and also works in small groups ministry. She writes transformational discipleship resources in English and Spanish and is passionate about helping people get connected to God and each other.

LINKS:

https://www.derwinlgray.com/

https://www.kristelacevedo.com/

https://transformationchurch.tc/

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Saddleback Small Groups Website

Small Group Network Events

10 Things that for easy engagement ANY Small Group Pastor can do1 Being on Time 2 Work Ethic 3 Effort 4 Body Language 5 Energy 6 Attitude 7 Passion 8 Being Coachable 9 Doing Extra 10 Being Prepared

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How aligned in your small groups ministry with the rest of your staff? Many in ministry struggle with "buy-in" from senior leadership. But James Browning takes a fairly deep dive into the idea that small group point people would benefit from buying into other ministries in their church. In particular we look at the role of church communication leaders and how to align small groups ministry with church comms.

Our guest on this episode is Shawn Gendall.

Shawn was born and raised on the Canadian plains, but – following a few years in Arizona – met and married Kelly, a Los Angeles native. Shawn and Kelly have served in student and family ministries for 18 years, all on the Westside. They are grateful parents to Delaney (’03), Caden (’06), and Peyton (’08). The Gendalls typically spend their free time on the bike paths and in the basketball gyms of this beautiful city.

Shawn holds a Master of Divinity from Denver Seminary and is currently completing his Doctor of Ministry in Pastoral Leadership.

This episode is for anyone who is a student of church leadership, wants to take a deeper dive into the small groups world, or even fans of Carey Neuhoff or Thom Rainer and just want to explore church development.

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Our small group gatherings shouldn't be repetitive and predictable but rather places where our members and guest can be known and flourish. his month's Reading Lenz features an insightful discussion regarding the book "The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why it Matters" by Priya Parker with Andrew Camp, Carolyn Taketa, and Nick Lenzi

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Guests: From Calvary Community Church in Westlake Village, CA Britt Vargas, High School Ministry Director - brittany.vargas@calvarywestlake.org Connor Johnson, Middle School Pastor - connor.johnson@calvarywestlake.org https://calvarywestlake.org/middle-school/ https://calvarywestlake.org/high-school/ How do we disciple the next generation through small groups? * Why have student small groups? * What do you look for in student group leaders? * How do you train leaders of various ages and life experiences? * How to connect and develop effective student groups? * How do you handle complicated messy life issues that affect students such as the LGBTQ issues and self-harming behaviors?

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saddleback.com/talkitover smallgroupnetwork.com/basecamp

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Do you ever feel the ministry you run and the church you work for are on different pages? Or maybe your small groups and care group are fighting for the same leaders? Join us this month as we welcome Nick Schonlau from Third City Christian Chruch in Grand Island, Nebraska to break down the book Silos, Politics and Turf Wars by Patrick Lencioni. It's only a matter of time until you'll find yourself in a silo. Listen in to hear how you can take steps to identify silos and prevent yourself and your groups from finding yourself in one. Lightning Round Books: Emotionally Healthy Leader by Peter Scazerro Canoeing the Mountain by Tod Bolsinger★ Support this podcast ★

The Emotionally Healthy Leader: How Transforming Your Inner Life Will Deeply Transform Your Church, Team, and the World

Canoeing the Mountains: Christian Leadership in Uncharted Territory

Guest: James Browning Bio: James Browning is the new Pastor of Small Group Network Development. He has over 10 years of marketing and digital evangelism experience both in the church world and the corporate space. He is married to Hannah and has two daughters, Eliza and Eleanor.★ Support this podcast ★

Covid-19 Small Group Stories Amazon Information Small Group Network Conferences★ Support this podcast ★

This month Andrew Camp rejoins Reading Lenz to break down the book How to Lead When You Are Not in Charge by Clay Scroggins Next month's book Silos, Politics and Turf Wars by Patrick Lencioni Small Group Network Facebook Group★ Support this podcast ★

Steve Curran has been involved in leading small groups for more than 20 years. Currently, he is the Community Pastor at Compassion Christian Church, a multisite church in the Savannah, Georgia area, focusing on discipleship and groups ministry. Steve was in the Navy for 23 years and fought actual pirates off the coast of Somalia. He has served the SGN as a huddle leader, regional leader and blogger.

You can reach Steve on SGN FB page or scurran@compassionchristian.com Small Group Network Huddles - FIND ONE TODAY!★ Support this podcast ★

Upcoming Small Group Network Events

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We're back again this week with Reading Lenz and guest Chris High of Hoboken Grace for part 2 of the book E-Myth Revisted by Michael Gerber. In this episode we talk about organizational structure for the core team that will help you lead your group system. We'll also talk about the benefits of role descriptions.

Click here to register for Small Group Network events

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This week we have on Lead Pastor Chris High of Hoboken Grace Community Church in Hoboken, NJ. Together we breakdown the book E-Myth Revisited by Michael Gerber. Join us as we share about our journey as a church plant in one of the densest cities in the United States and how this book helps guide our way towards a stronger small group system.

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Small Group Network Events

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Guest: Greg Anderson Greg is originally from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and has been in full-time church-based ministry since 1996 as a small group pastor, most recently at Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale. He has been involved with SGN from the early days of its launch, and currently serves as the Southeast Regional Representative for the Small Group Network. Greg is currently on staff with The Fellowship of Christian Athletes in Palm Beach County Florida.

Along with beginning a recovery ministry at his church in South Carolina, He also has served as the National Training Coach for Celebrate Recovery in 2002, southeast regional director in 2003, and eventually became the first National Director for Celebrate Recovery in 2004.

SHOW NOTES

Reach Greg via email: ganderson@fca.org Greg's website for Men's recovery group: mysafegroup.org ★ Support this podcast ★

Care Team Conferences Courses SGN Team ★ Support this podcast ★

Description: This month's guest is Peter Englert from Browncoft Church in Rochester, NY. Peter serves as the Adult Ministries Director and is a blogger for the Small Group Network. Together we tackle the book Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss a former FBI negotiator. Listen in as we share what we learned from the FBI to improve how we lead within our lives, leadership, and small groups. Lightning Round Reads: One Blood by John Perkins Be the Bridge: Pursuing God's Heart for Racial Reconciliation by Latasha Morrison Next Month's Reading Lenz Book: E-Myth Revisited by Michael Gerber ★ Support this podcast ★

One Blood: Parting Words to the Church on Race and Love

The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don't Work and What to Do About It

Be the Bridge: Pursuing God's Heart for Racial Reconciliation

Small Group Network Events

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Bio: Since 2017, Bart has been serving at Traders Point Christian Church, a multi-site congregation in Indianapolis, IN with 5 campuses, as their Lead Groups Minister, Campus Pastor for their 2000+ site, and on their Leadership Team. Prior to that, he ministered for 12 years as a Discipleship and Teaching pastor in Northern Indiana. Bart has served in smaller, midsize churches with Sunday school models as well as small groups and is now at a church of 10K+ with 450 small groups. He’s also a certified life coach and trained in 3DM discipleship ministry.

Show Notes: Traders Point Christian Church Resources

https://tpcc.org/

https://tpcc.org/group-leaders National survey from Disciplship.org and Exponential on the state of discipleship in the U.S: https://discipleship-org.s3.amazonaws.com/text/ebooks/Final+2020_National_Study_Report.pdf?ck_subscriber_id=134266632 Lobby Conference - Feb 23-24 2021 https://www.eventbrite.com/e/virtual-lobby-gathering-2021-tickets-130297863417★ Support this podcast ★

Abortion stats
Top 10 SGN highlights of 2020
Pastor Rick's Sermon Notes
https://grouptalksgn.libsyn.com/your-small-groups-role-against-racism
https://grouptalksgn.libsyn.com/developing-an-anti-racist-culture-in-your-small-group
7 Civilities
Listen with your eyes (don’t roll your eyes) acknowledge their view
Sleep and hungry—know the right time
Social media news vs. Good news
Neither side may trivialize or dismiss the concerns of the other.
Neither side should define the “other” according to one single characteristic or identity marker.
Both sides should aim to help each other understand their own experience and perspective using a type of speech (words and tone) that can be heard by the other.
Both sides should accept the fundamental ground rule of life in a free society: the essence of liberty is the right to be different and to act wrongly in the eyes of others—you will need to agree to disagree.

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This month SGN's own Daniel Thomas joins the show to breakdown the book Creativity, Inc.: Overcoming the Unseen Forces That Stand in the Way of True Inspiration by Edward Catmull. Edward is the co-founder of Pixar makes of hit movies such as Toy Story, Monster Inc. Finding Nemo and much more. In this episode we will touch on topics of embracing change, seeking the best in your small groups, perfectionism, and the importance of honesty and candor. Next Month's Book: Never Split the Difference: Negotiating As If Your Life Depended On It by Chris Voss★ Support this podcast ★

Never Split the Difference: Negotiating As If Your Life Depended On It

Bill discusses author and pastor Mel Lawrenz’s newest book and how to have a much better 2021.

Virtual Lobby Gathering 2021 - Save 30% by using promo code SAVECASH

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How engaged is your senior pastor in the small groups ministry? When senior leadership is on board and talking often about groups from the platform, the church is likely to make groups a higher priority and will have more groups, more leaders, and more impact on discipleship. So how do you get your senior pastor more engaged? What are some practical steps you can take to align the groups' ministry with your senior leadership?

Allen White has led small group and discipleship ministries for over 30 years. He is a pastor, a ministry consultant, and an author. He has coached over 1,500 churches and is the author of four books including his latest book, Leading Online Small Groups: Embracing the Church's Digital Future.

"Should I stay or should I go?"

https://grouptalksgn.libsyn.com/should-i-stay-or-should-i-go-podcast

"Five things not to do when coaching small groups"

https://grouptalksgn.libsyn.com/top-5-things-not-to-do-when-coaching-small-group-leaders-podcast

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Rick Warren Part 2

Virtual Lobby 2021

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Virtual Lobby Gathering Event

Don't forget the promo code SAVECASH to save 30%

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This month Erin Burton from Downtown Community Church in Jersey City, NJ stops by to breakdown the book Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain. Tune in as we share how we can best lead and care for the introverts in our small group communities. Lighting Round Books: The Power of Proximity: Moving Beyond Awareness to Action We Should Get Together: The Secret to Cultivating Better Friendships Next Month's Book: Creativity, Inc.: Overcoming the Unseen Forces That Stand in the Way of True Inspiration★ Support this podcast ★

Creativity, Inc.: Overcoming the Unseen Forces That Stand in the Way of True Inspiration

We Should Get Together: The Secret to Cultivating Better Friendships

The Power of Proximity: Moving Beyond Awareness to Action

It’s that time of year when we look forward to new possibilities. Some call them “resolutions.” At some point as 2020 wraps up and we look forward it’s natural to consider how the next year could be different. How can we grow, deepen, and develop? Bill offers “Ten Commitment” that with spur on new personal and professional growth.

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Since 2014, Peter Clow has served as a bi-vocational Discipleship Pastor at Emmanuel Baptist Church in New Hampshire. He oversees the small groups ministry and also serves on the Senior Leadership Pastoral team, assisting in the teaching and preaching, and in the growth and vision of the church. Peter is an Air Force veteran who works full-time for BAE Systems, a leading defense and aerospace company as a manufacturing supervisor. Since 2018, Peter has been involved with the Small Group Network as a blogger and is currently the SGN NH State Leader. ★ Support this podcast ★

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-crime-and-justice-doctor/202008/crisis-fatigue-and-the-covid-19-pandemic https://hbr.org/2001/01/the-making-of-a-corporate-athlete ★ Support this podcast ★

Show Notes: This month on Reading Lenz we cover Tribe by Sebastian Junger. Join us as we learn how modernity is affecting community. Our guest Tommy Carreras from Mission Ventura will be with us helping break down this fantastic book. Former Shows Referenced: Extreme Ownership Canoeing the Mountain Lighting Round References: Mission's Change Workshop (Michael Dye's recovery content) ► missionventura.com/changeworkshop Unhindered: Aligning the Story of Your Heart ► https://www.amazon.com/Unhindered-Aligning-Story-Your-Heart/dp/1950718743★ Support this podcast ★

Unhindered: Aligning the Story of Your Heart

SHOW NOTES:

Kids Small Groups

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Topic: Here are some questions we address in this episode: What is learning theory and how does it apply to small groups? What needs to be in place for group learning to be effective? How do you tailor curriculum and leadership training to different generations and various types of learners? Guest: Josh Rose, PhD Josh Rose has led small groups for nearly 20 years and has served as a small groups pastor for 15 years. He currently serves as Group Life Pastor at Rush Creek Church, a multi-site church in the DFW area and also serves on Rush Creek’s strategic leadership team. In addition, Josh serves as an adjunct professor of Christian Education at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Dallas Baptist University, and B.H. Carroll Theological Institute. Recently, Josh began a new part-time role at Southwestern Seminary as Program Director for the new Doctor of Education degree. SHOW NOTES 6 Habits of Groups That Actually Learn ((6) min or less vlogs)

https://rushcreek.org/six-habits-of-groups/

6 Habits of Groups That Actually Learn (part 1 is (20) min podcast, part 2 is bite-sized, application only from part 1 (8) minutes or less)

https://rushcreekgroups.podbean.com/

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Courses

Conferences

Crisis Fatigue Article

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This month on Reading Lenz we cover Canoeing the Mountain by Tod Bolsinger. Join us as we learn how to navigate uncharted territory of small group ministry. To help carry the canoe over the mountain, this week's guest Small Group Network's own Northeast Regional Leader Kiersten Telzerow. Kiersten is also the Groups Director at National Community Church in our nation's capital. ★ Support this podcast ★

The leadership journey requires a clear destination, otherwise we aren’t on a journey we’re just wandering around. Small groups have always been portrayed as an integral part of making discipleship. But what does that even mean? We use words like, “disciple” and “discipleship” but most of the time it’s surrounded by haze. It’s cluttered with feeling and impressions but without strong definition. Where did we even get the “D" word? As we explore the development of the term we’ll ask ourselves if this is the best we can do?

Small Group Network Events

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Dr. David Wang is a licensed psychologist and associate professor of psychology and pastoral counseling at the Rosemead School of Psychology, at Biola University. He is the editor of the Journal of Psychology and Theology and serves on the editorial board for Spirituality in Clinical Practice (an APA journal). He also leads research funded by the John Templeton Foundation and the Lilly Foundation investigating the spiritual and character/virtue development of seminary students. Dr. Wang teaches and speaks internationally, maintains a small clinical practice in Fullerton, CA and is the pastor of spiritual formation at One Life City Church

https://www.drdavidcwang.com/about-dr-wang For Dr. Wang's sermons on Lament: https://www.onelifecitychurch.org/sermons Online Small Groups Training★ Support this podcast ★

New Online Small Group Course

2021 Training Events

Saddleback Small Groups

SOCIOLOGIST STUDY:

Following the turn of the century, sociologist Chaeyoon Lim, Ph.D., University of Wisconsin at Madison, and his associate, political scientist Robert Putnam, Ph.D., Harvard University, demonstrated that religious people are more satisfied with their lives than nonreligious people. Surprisingly however they found that it’s not the relationship with God or spiritual factors, like Bible reading, that makes the devout happier. Instead, the satisfaction boost comes from closer ties to others who are sharing the experience. The social aspect of religion, rather than the theological or spiritual aspects of religion, is what made people more satisfied with their lives, because of their social networks within their faith community.

As congregational affiliation [“attendance”] plummeted in the U.S., Lim and Putnam followed up their initial study with another study that went even deeper. The results of that study is reported in "American Grace: How Religion Divides Us and Unites Us" (Lim|Putnam Simon & Schuster). That study found that the deepest life satisfaction could not be attributed to spiritual factors like going to church, Bible reading, individual prayer, the strength of belief, or subjective feelings of God's love or presence. Instead, the deepest life satisfaction has to do with the fact that you meet with a group of close friends on a regular basis and participate in shared activities that are meaningful to the group, sharing a certain social identity, and have a sense of belonging to a moral faith community.

Belonging to a secular group of friends that engages in meaningful activities and shares a social identity also boosts life satisfaction, but not as much as within the context of a moral faith community.

As life becomes more digitally-rooted, the need to connect with others and have what we at the DXM™ Institute have called AHIs [authentic human interactions] grows exponentially. Small groups where people come together and connect over all kinds of things are one of the largest social movements ever.

A central outcome of our BCX for participants will be to make possible life’s deepest satisfaction through meeting with a group of close friends on a regular basis [“belonging”], participating in shared community service activities that are meaningful to the group [“meaning”], sharing a common social identity [e.g. “Midtown Village Changemakers”], and having a sense of belonging to a moral faith community.

According to another Harvard study, the social pleasure of shared experience outweighs the joy of doing something extraordinary on your own.

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10 Commandments for Talking Politics in Small Groups

Small Group Network Events

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This month on Reading Lenz we are covering the book Extreme Ownership by two former Navy SEALS, Jocko Willink and Leif Babin. Jocko and Leif share their experiences and leadership lessons learned on the most violent battlefields of Iraq. To help break down this book and prepare you for the battlefields you face in ministry, this week's guest is Steve Curran, a twenty-three year Navy veteran turned Community Pastor at Compassion Christian Church. Small Group Network Events★ Support this podcast ★

Guests: Nick & Marjorie Allan, pastors at The Well Sheffield, England and authors of the new book The XYZ of Discipleship: Understanding and Reaching Generations Y & Z.

Nick and Marjorie have served churches in England for more than 20 years. With their hearts for the younger generation, they share their experiences investing in tomorrow’s leaders. We hear a lot about the younger generation. What’s true and what will help us reach them, disciple them, and develop them - especially when it comes to small groups!

Small Group Network Events - Don't forget to use the code FLASHSALE on your Lobby Gathering 2021 registration!

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We talk with the authors of a compelling new book, "Leading Small Groups that Thrive: Five Shifts to take your group to the next level." Based on extensive research, this book provides insights and practical how-tos on building small groups that are healthy, effective, and transformational.

https://thrivinggroups.com/

Jason Sniff is the pastor of small groups at Eastview Christian church in Normal, Illinois, and a licensed professional counselor with over 15 years of experience in developing group life within the private and public sectors.

Courtney Davis has a PhD in Organizational Communication. She is the Associate Professor of Communication Management at Azusa Pacific University, where she teaches organizational, small group, and professional communication.

Small Group Network Events

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Small Group Network Events

Use Promo Code AZ70 for $70 off your Accelerate! registration! Promo Code good until Sept 8th.

6 Things To Remember When I Feel Empty

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This month's Reading Lenz features an insightful discussion regarding the modern classic "Daring Greatly" by Dr. Brene Brown. Host Nick Lenzi joins special guests Carolyn Taketa and Andrew Camp to discuss how the courage to be vulnerable transforms the way we run our small groups. Other book talk episodes with Nick, Carolyn, and Andrew: * Free to Focus by Michael Hyatt * We Need to Talk by Celeste Headlee * The Art of Gathering by Priya Parker

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TOPIC: With so many churches still unable to host large gatherings in person, creating a robust online training is both a necessity and a wise strategy. So what are the elements of an effective online training model? Will Johnston is from the Chicago-area and, after graduating from Wheaton College with a degree in theology, moved to Washington DC and started working on Capitol Hill. He then joined the team at National Community Church where he served as the small group pastor, and he is now the adult ministries pastor at Eastside Christian Church in Anaheim, CA, where he oversees small groups along with a few other ministries. Eastside New Leader Training Eastside Leadership Pipeline Modules NCC New Leader Training NCC Training Library★ Support this podcast ★

Guidelines for Getting Together For Saddleback Church Small Groups

Gathering together in large groups is still in the future. The natural question at this stage of the COVID-19 crisis is, "Can we begin to gather in small groups?"

Sadly, infections are currently increasing at a rapid rate. Our recommendation is that you will continue to meet online as your primary venue, whenever possible and appropriate. However, we recognize the importance of face-to-face gatherings and the desire we all have to be in proximity with one another. So, if you decide to hold physical gatherings, please follow these guidelines:

Check the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention and California Department of Public Health websites frequently for the most up-to-date safety guidelines and recommendations, as they are changing often. (www.CDC.gov https://www.cdph.ca.gov )
For the safety of our communities, we suggest there should be no inside gatherings at this point in time. If gathering, we suggest meeting outdoors in groups of 12 or less, wear a mask, and maintain 6' social distancing. Why? GREAT question! Because we have all experienced firsthand the challenges of maintaining proper social distancing, even with best intentions and best efforts. These guidelines will ensure that gatherings reflect our very best effort to keep everybody safe and healthy during this health crisis.
If you have children under the age of 18 (SK/SSM) in your small group, by choosing to hold an in-person gathering, you are agreeing to hold everybody in attendance accountable to the above guidelines.

McKinsey Leadership Resource

Leading as Pastors in a Pandemic

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Small Group Network Conferences

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Small Group Network Huddles

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TOPIC: What’s next for our small groups ministries? How do we go from all the uncertainty of this time - "here" - and move to where we want to go -“there?” How do we hold tight to the mission and values while reimagining groups in this new normal context? Guest: Ben Reed is a Pastor at Mission Community Church just outside of Phoenix, AZ. At Mission, he oversees adult ministries: small groups, care and recovery, local missions, global missions, baptism, and a brand new ministry they’ve launched called Thrive. He is the author of the book, Starting Small, and blogs at BenReed.net. http://www.benreed.net/exploring-uncertainty/ http://www.benreed.net/starting-small-the-ultimate-small-group-blueprint/ https://missionaz.org/thrive★ Support this podcast ★

https://www.instagram.com/tv/CBNfFetAfc3/?igshid=1wfz90x66m23r&fbclid=IwAR2lGEW75Pd5vySCWM7bXnmDjC3pSvQFKZqShhhzd92DAW2wYKupGuFM4G4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=64viEf0DCEg

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4 Shows, 1 Podcast! Listen as we meet new hosts for our new shows!

Align Small Group Course

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Align: Learning Small Group Ministry Essentials - this new online training course is now open for enrollment!

7 COVID re-entry Musts for the Small Group Point Person

Reflect on the COVID season a. What loses—needs to stop b. What was temporary—was good for COVID c. What got discovered—part of the new normal d. What is Core—welcome back
What’s the Vision—it can’t be just virtual to physical
Clarify success—end in mind
Expect high emotion—racial, political, COVID—don’t explain away what’s going on. Presence is more important. Psalm 27:13
Understand your governmental rules—CDC, Fed, State, County
Think through your guidelines
Pray—read Ephesian 6:10-12

Saddleback's Guidelines for Small Group Gatherings During COVID 19

Group Size—Limit group gatherings to no more than 10

Larger groups should sub-group and meet in different places or at different times.

Location—Meet only in places where you can safely distance

Meeting outside is encouraged when possible. Hosts should be prepared to clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that are frequently touched both before and after group (Door handles, chairs, restrooms, etc.).

Protection—Wear masks

This is especially important when people are arriving and socializing. Once group members are safely distanced, masks may be removed at the discretion of the leader and participants.

Greetings—Greet from a distance

As much as we may want to greet each other with hugs and handshakes, for now the loving thing to do is to avoid physical contact.

Snacks—Bring your own snacks

We are big proponents of food at small group gatherings, but during this season we are recommending that groups not eat together. If you do choose to eat, encourage members to bring their own beverage and snack.

Digital Option—Offer a digital option

Not everyone will feel comfortable attending in person at first so consider setting up a computer in your meeting area and using Zoom or some other application so that all group members can participate. As we start to gather together in small groups, remember you can mix it up every once in a while, and meet virtually again.

Childcare—Leave children at home

Due to the challenge of distancing with young children, at this time we are asking groups not bring children to meetings.

Illness—Stay at home if you are sick

Group members should stay home if they or anyone in their household is sick. If you have a temperature of 99.5 F, please stay at home regardless of how you feel. If you have been in contact with someone with COVID-19, quarantine yourself for 14 days.

High Risk Individuals – Stay home if you are in a high-risk category

Those who are 65+ or who have serious underlying health conditions should join online rather than in-person. Groups comprised largely of high-risk individuals are encouraged to continue meeting virtually.

Expect high emotion—racially, politically and COVID

Don’t explain away what’s going on. Presence and listening skills are more important now more than solutions. Psalm 27:13-- Yet I am confident I will see the Lord’s goodness while I am here in the land of the living. Listen, know who is in control and understand everyone is at a different place in each category.

Fellowship – Enjoy making a healthy small group

Regardless if you meet virtually or Physically, Christ’s command is that we build healthy small groups by balancing the five Biblical purposes in our groups and our lives—Fellowship, Discipleship, Serving, Evangelism and Worship. So, stay healthy physically and spiritually!

Pray – Remember that this is a spiritual battle

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Ephesian 6:10-12

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Amber has an educational background in Sociology and Cultural Anthropology. She has been working in Group Life on staff at the Church at Severn Run in Maryland for 5 years. Four years ago, Amber joined a SGN huddle, then became a huddle leader, and now is the SGN state leader for Maryland and moderates our Facebook page as part of the social media team.

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A Faith That Plants Seeds Of Peace" with Pastor Rick Warren
Undivided
Racism: How Should Christians Respond?
Dr. Tony Evans Speaks From His Heart About Social Injustice
ONENESS EMBRACED WITH TONY EVANS
4 One-Another’s to Promote Unity in Your Groups Ministry

A Few Truths We Can Affirm as the Body of Christ

by Scott Sager

In these difficult days, we at Lipscomb are praying for all our churches, that we might be those Ezekiel spoke of who repair the breach and stand in the gap. We realize it is difficult to know what to do, what to say, and how to say it. This can often paralyze us into saying and doing nothing. However, we need to know that saying nothing in a time like this can appear to others as though our silence is a symptom of unconcern. So with great humility and a belief that prayer and the Spirit will give each congregation the right way to "speak the truth in love" we offer these thoughts in the hope they can do some good:

Think Christian-ly. It is easy to see a crisis through the lens given you by the media or some other outside organization. But we are to have "the mind of Christ" (I Cor. 2: 16). This means we "take every thought captive to make it obedient to Christ" (2 Cor. 10: 5) so that we "do not conform to the pattern of this world, but are transformed" through minds renewed by the Spirit (Rom. 12: 2). Resolve to think through this situation as Jesus would if physically present.
Affirm the Divine Image in Every Person.The first chapter of Genesis affirms that each of us is created in the very image of God. We are each divine image-bearers. Jesus once told us, "Render unto Caesar the things that are in Caesar's image" but we are to render unto God the things made in God's image. Every person is a divine image of God regardless of age, color, or capacity. We each belong to God.
Affirm that Breath Comes from God and Returns to God.Again it is God who “breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being" (Gen. 2: 7). The word "breath" and the word "Spirit" come from the same word. Thus when Jesus cried out from the cross, "Into your hands I commit my Spirit" (Luke 23: 46) he was likewise returning his breath to the One from whom it came. There is a sanctity to life that comes from God.
We Should Treat People as We Want to be Treated.The rule on the streets today might be "Don't do to others what you don't want to be done to you." But Jesus holds us to a higher standard: “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets” (Matt 7: 12). We should always be asking, "How would I feel if this happened to me?" Of all the places on earth, the church should most strive to treat people right.
Jesus is the Most Oppressed Person from the Most Oppressed People Group of All Time. I cannot possibly know what it is like to be part of a cultural group with story after story after story of abuse and oppression at the hands of a government system. But Jesus can. The prophet Isaiah spoke of Jesus and said, “He was oppressed and afflicted yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent so he did not open his mouth. By oppression and judgment he was taken away, yet who of his generation protested?” (Isa. 53: 7-8). No one protested at the oppression of Jesus, but he did it all for us. Jesus knows what people are going through today, and he cares.
Nothing Escapes God's Notice.Every person will one day bow their knee and admit that "Jesus is Lord" over all of creation. At that time we will be called to give an account for the things we did and didn't do while upon this earth. Jesus' own brother James reminds each of us, "If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them" (James 4: 17). God is watching and nothing escapes his notice.
One Day We WIll be Part of a Multitude from Every Tribe and Tongue. John's apocalypse shares this vision: "After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, 'Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!'" (Rev. 7; 9-10). One day we will all gather united around the throne, and the Lordship, of Jesus Christ. It is our privilege to beginnowmaking this vision a reality.

There are Things Each of Us Can Do:

Pray: That God will raise up leaders who will build us up, and stand in the gap to bring healing and reconciliation. Ask that you might be a part of that solution!
Listen: I have been amazed and overwhelmed by the accounts I am hearing from godly friends who have experienced abuse and injustice at the hands of our government systems. These stories are real and need to be heard no matter how painful it is to discover our moral failures as a society. Listen and reflect, and don't make excuses--just listen. And then pray for us all.
Encourage: One of my best friends is a Dallas police officer. He is the worship leader at the congregation where I served for fifteen years. There is no finer man. Unfortunately, there is a danger today that we will start profiling police officers, letting the bad apples spoil our view of the ones sacrificing so much for us. Let someone know you still believe in them.
Address: Think Christian-ly about your congregation and how this wake up call for America might make your congregation a healthier place as well. Then begin prayerfully to take steps to live into what Jesus is showing you.

This is a time for much grace and peace my friends.

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How to Cast Vision for Small Groups During Quarantine

Vision For Breakthrough In Your Small Group Ministry

What’s Your Vision Coming Out of COVID-19

COVID-19 Small Group Resources

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COVID-19 Small Group Resources

Facebook group

Huddles

10 Commandments for Your Small Groups During Covid-19

1 Show grace to myself & others in my small group

2 Start & end each day refueling your soul

3 Set & stick with a routine for your small group

4 Stop political or dividing conversations in your small group

5 Touch base with group members between meetings

6 Share your feelings with your group members instead of stuffing them

7 Seek advice from group members before making major decisions

8 Pace your small group time

9 Serve those who are suffering

10 Control what’s controllable. Trust God for the rest

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COVID-19 ResourcesSG

SGN Facebook Page

SGN Huddles

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Patterns of Stress

https://www.neurosequential.com/covid-19-resources

Small Group Network COVID-19 Resources

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In our "new normal" during this Covid-19 pandemic, we are spending many hours online, staring at screens. With all our small group gatherings, leader trainings, staff and ministry meetings, and family times all happening through video-conferencing, we are becoming screen fatigued. In this conversation, we discuss practical tips to overcome "Zoom fatigue" so that we can still be fully present and effective in video meetings. BIO: Chris Surratt is a ministry consultant and coach with more than twenty years of experience serving the local church. He is the Discipleship and Small Groups Specialist for LifeWay Christian Resources and the author of Small Groups for the Rest of Us, Gospel-Centered Small Groups, and Leading Small Groups: How To Gather, Launch, Lead, and Multiply Your Small Group. COVID-19 Resources Small Group Network Website SGN Facebook Group★ Support this podcast ★

Leading Small Groups: How to Gather, Launch, Lead, and Multiply Your Small Group

COVID-19 Resources

Emotional Wellness Worksheet

www.blesseveryhome.com

Understanding The Elements Of Stress In Job Loss

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Bio: Dr. Susan Cha is a licensed clinical psychologist with thirty years of experience working in various settings: university counseling centers, hospitals, and community mental health agencies. She is currently in private practice, specializing in depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, relational difficulties, and spiritual development. She is the author of Developing Restorative Connections, a manual on lay church counseling ministries. Susan also has a Master’s degree in theology from Fuller Seminary and has been leading the lay counseling ministry for the past decade in her local church as well as training support group and small group leaders. You can email her at drsohcha@gmail.com

God, give me grace to accept with serenity the things that cannot be changed, Courage to change the things which should be changed, and the Wisdom to distinguish the one from the other. Living one day at a time, Enjoying one moment at a time, Accepting hardship as a pathway to peace, Taking, as Jesus did, This sinful world as it is, Not as I would have it, Trusting that You will make all things right, If I surrender to Your will, So that I may be reasonably happy in this life, And supremely happy with You forever in the next.

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Learn How To Use Zoom In 5 Minutes For Online Small Groups

7 Childcare Solutions For Your Small Group

Rick Warren’s “Care Calling” Script

Hi, this is (first name) from Saddleback Church. I’m a Care Caller for Pastor Rick.

Rick asked me to call you and find out how you are doing during this Virus Crisis.

Because our church family isn’t able to meet together right now, we’ve started a number of new ministries to help people who are confined to their homes.

For instance, we have a Tech Support Ministry that help you watch the weekend service and even connect to your small group online.

We also have a Care Kit Ministry that can bring food or essential supplies to your door.

We also have an Emotional Support Ministry that you can call to get encouragement. So I’m calling to ask

Is there any way we can we help you? Do you need anything right now?

If they need tech support- give their name to….

If they need food or supplies, give their name to…

If they need emotional support- give them care hotline #

You know, most of our members are connected to a small group for support.

Would you like me to help you get connected to a small group for support? (assume they are NOT in one)

If they say “I’m already in one” Say “Oh That’s great! Rick would like to add you to the small group roster.

Who is the leader or host of your group and when do you meet?” (Record the answer)

Thanks so much! I’d like to pray for you, but first, let me ask-

Is there anything you’d like for me to pass on to Pastor Rick from you?

Let me Pray for you: (include this in your prayer)

Dear God, I thank you for (first name) and I thank you that they are a part of our Saddleback Church family. Help them to feel your love and our love too. I’m so grateful that we don’t have to go through this crisis alone – but we have each other to depend on and care for each other. I pray you will keep (name) safe and healthy, and we look forward to the day that we can join together again in our church family. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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Saddleback Church

Saddleback Kids Ministry

Saddleback Student Ministry

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Guests: Nick Lenzi and Andrew Camp

Andrew Camp is currently the Spiritual Growth Pastor at Mountain Life Church in Park City, Utah, where he has served since 2016 and contributes monthly to the Small Group Network blog.

Nick Lenzi is the Dinner Group Director at Hoboken Grace Community Church in Hoboken, New Jersey. Nick serves the Small Group Network as our finance director.

Small Group Network Events

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Show notes:

Lobby Gathering 2020 Highlights & Soundbites

Spiritual Health Assessment

Meet our Small Group Network Team!

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Saddleback Land Recap

5 Ways To Become A Recruiting Machine

Planning Small Groups With Purpose

SGN Job Board

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Do you want to increase your self-knowlege and empathy for others? How can we use this popular personality typology tool to know ourselves and others better? Listen to Enneagram "enthusiast" Chris converse with Carolyn about how to use this tool in your ministry and your groups. Chris Surratt is a ministry consultant and coach with more than twenty years of experience serving the local church. Chris served on the Executive Teams at Cross Point Church in Nashville, TN., and Seacoast Church in Charleston, S.C., prior to becoming the Discipleship and Small Groups Specialist for LifeWay Christian Resources., He is the author of Small Groups for the Rest of Us, Gospel-Centered Small Groups, and the recently released, Leading Small Groups: How To Gather, Launch, Lead, and Multiply Your Small Group

The Road Back To You

The Sacred Enneagram

The Enneagram Institute

Small Group Network Facebook Group

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The Road Back to You: An Enneagram Journey to Self-Discovery

The Sacred Enneagram: Finding Your Unique Path to Spiritual Growth

Leading Small Groups: How to Gather, Launch, Lead, and Multiply Your Small Group

Small Group Network Events

Small Group Network Huddles

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Small Group Network Events

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On this brand new GroupTalk format, Steve Gladen talked about the 5 Benefits of Belonging. Make sure you check out the links below for the great blog that goes along with it.

Don't forget to register for Lobby 2020 as well!

Top 10 SGN Highlights of 2020

Small Group Network Events

5 Benefits of Belonging

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New and exciting things are coming to GroupTalk in 2020! Listen as Steve Gladen shares his heart for the new GroupTalk show.

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https://www.smallgroupnetwork.com

Steve Gladen is the Global Pastor of Small Groups at Saddleback Church since 1998. He oversees the strategic launch and development of over 7,000 adult small groups on multiple campuses. He has authored Small Groups With Purpose, which has been translated into eight languages to date, and Leading Small Groups With Purpose. He frequently speaks at conferences and consults with church leaders both in the United States and around the world. He has a driving passion to see each church attendee connected to a qualified shepherd and become an integral part of their church body, living purposefully for Christ. Steve is also the Founder of the Small Group Network (SGN) giving influence and oversight to all the SGN initiatives. He earned a Masters of Divinity from Fuller Theological Seminary in 1985, and a B.A. in Biblical Studies, with minors in Greek and Philosophy in 1982, from Evangel University. Steve and Lisa have been married since 1989 and have two children, Erika and Ethan.

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Derek serves as pastor of small group network development at Saddleback church in Lake Forest, CA. He has been active in leading small group ministry for youth, young adults and adults since 2004. Derek is a native of the Pacific Northwest and loves coffee, droning, and enjoying the outdoors and visits to Disneyland with his wife and four year old daughter.

Small Group Network Events

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Bio:

Derek serves as pastor of small group network development at Saddleback church in Lake Forest, CA. He has been active in leading small group ministry for youth, young adults and adults since 2004. Derek is a native of the Pacific Northwest and loves coffee, droning, and enjoying the outdoors and visits to Disneyland with his wife and four year old daughter.

Small Groups with Purpose Christmas Promotion

Small Group Network Events

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Rev. David Myles is the Life Groups & Leader Development Pastor at New Hope Church in New Hope, MN. David is passionate about the expository preaching of the Word of God, ministering through the Word, and training leaders. He has a pastor-theologian heart and a passion for God’s gospel heart through the Revelation 7:9 multiethnic church.

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Guest: Will Johnston Bio: After graduating from Wheaton College with a degree in theology, Will moved to Washington DC and started working on Capitol Hill. He then joined the team at National Community Church where he served as the small group pastor. Since 2016, Will has been the adult ministries pastor at Eastside Christian Church in Anaheim, CA, where he oversees small groups and other ministries.

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Guest: Will Johnston

After graduating from Wheaton College with a degree in theology, Will moved to Washington DC and started working on Capitol Hill. He then joined the team at National Community Church where he served as the small group pastor. Since 2016, Will has been the adult ministries pastor at Eastside Christian Church in Anaheim, CA, where he oversees small groups and other ministries.

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Guests on the Panel:

Bill Search is the author of Essential Guide for Small Group Leaders and Simple Small Groups. Currently serving as Executive Pastor of Ministries at Crossings Community Church in Oklahoma City.

Heather Lee has served on staff at Crossroads Church in Manteca, California for 12 years and as the Groups Director for the last 4 years. She also serves on the SGN team as the Northern California Regional Leader.

Danny Bias is the Life Groups Champion at Newbreak Church in San Diego since 2014. Currently an blogger/author for the Small Group Network.

Click here to start your huddle today!!

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We all need time away to recharge and be filled by God. Retreats with your staff and/ or key volunteers are a great way to value and invest in the souls of your team members. Part 1 discusses why retreats are helpful, how to develop a goal for your retreat, logistics on planning a retreat, and the essential "must do's." Part 2 will focus on recommended tools, resources, and tips on activities that are effective in helping your team be restored, refreshed and energized. Amy Jackson is founder and director of The Perch, located in Aurora, Illinois. The Perch provides space and skills for soul care so you can live the healthy, thriving life of purpose you were created for. Amy is a former publisher with Christianity Today, overseeing several church resources including SmallGroups.com, and she holds a Master's in Christian Formation and Ministry from Wheaton College. www.theperchplace.com @theperchplace (Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter) Sign up for an Accelerate! today!★ Support this podcast ★

We all need time away to recharge and be filled by God. Retreats with your staff and/ or key volunteers are a great way to value and invest in the souls of your team members. Part 1 discusses why retreats are helpful, how to develop a goal for your retreat, logistics on planning a retreat, and the essential "must do's." Part 2 will focus on recommended tools, resources, and tips on activities that are effective in helping your team be restored, refreshed and energized. Amy Jackson is founder and director of The Perch, located in Aurora, Illinois. The Perch provides space and skills for soul care so you can live the healthy, thriving life of purpose you were created for. Amy is a former publisher with Christianity Today, overseeing several church resources including SmallGroups.com, and she holds a Master's in Christian Formation and Ministry from Wheaton College. Sign Up For Accelerate Today!★ Support this podcast ★

Do you want to have conversations that matter? Conversations are critical to our ministry and our lives. But how effective are you at engaging, listening, empathizing, focusing, learning, and caring for people during conversations? What are bad conversational habits we easily fall into? What are practical strategies to help us improve our conversational skills at home, at work, and in our small groups? Listen to Carolyn, Andrew, and Nick discuss a bestselling book, "We Need to Talk" by Celeste Headlee, based on the wildly popular TED talk with more than 16 million views. https://www.ted.com/talks/celeste_headlee_10_ways_to_have_a_better_conversation?language=en Andrew Camp is currently the Spiritual Growth Pastor at Mountain Life Church in Park City, UT, and contributes monthly to the Small Group Network blog. Nick Lenzi is the the Dinner Group Director at Hoboken Grace Community Church in Hoboken, NJ. Nick serves the Small Group Network as our finance director.

SGN Events

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Pastor Rick Warren was this year’s keynote speaker at the “Lobby Gathering,” one of the nation’s premier small group training events. To listen to part 2 of this 2 part exclusive podcast, just click the play button at the top of this post to enjoy this insightful discussion! To subscribe to our Group Talk Podcast, click HERE

SMALL GROUP NETWORK EVENTS

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Pastor Rick Warren was this year’s keynote speaker at the “Lobby Gathering,” one of the nation’s premier small group training events. Enjoy part 1 of this 2 part exclusive podcast.

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A panel discussion on how to overcome the typical barriers of getting new leaders, and how to identify, invite, and recruit new people to lead groups. Group Talk Podcast Panelists: Bill Search - Author of "Essential Guide for Small Group Leaders" and "Simple Small Groups" and serves as Executive Pastor of Ministries at Crossings Community Church in Oklahoma City, OK Mark Kendall - Small Groups Pastor at Grace Church in Eden Prairie, MN and also serves as the North Central Regional Leader for the Small Group Network. Tommy Carreras - Tommy oversees care and community at Mission Church in Ventura, CA and helps to lead the Ventura County Small Group Network "Huddle." Just click the play button at the top of this post to enjoy this insightful discussion! To subscribe to our Group Talk Podcast, click HERE★ Support this podcast ★

Between people marrying at older ages or never marrying, co-habitation, and divorce rates, there is a large increasing population of singles in our churches spanning several decades. Yet, singles often report feeling lonely, isolated, or stigmatized in the church which typically focus on marriages and families. So how can we serve singles better and help them connect and grow through small groups?

Amanda Reyes has been on staff at Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California since 2016 and currently serves as a Small Groups Minister, caring for Singles Small Groups.

Just click the play button at the top of this post to enjoy this insightful discussion! To subscribe to our Group Talk Podcast, click HERE

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This podcast focuses on some key decisions that will have a critical impact on shaping the values, strategies, and culture of your groups ministry for years to come.

Steve is the Global Pastor of Small Groups at Saddleback Church since 1998. He oversees the strategic launch and development of over 7,000 adult small groups on multiple campuses. He has authored Small Groups With Purpose, which has been translated into eight languages to date, and Leading Small Groups With Purpose. He frequently speaks at conferences and consults with church leaders both in the United States and around the world. He has a driving passion to see each church attendee connected to a qualified shepherd and become an integral part of their church body, living purposefully for Christ. Steve is also the Founder of the Small Group Network (SGN) giving influence and oversight to all the SGN initiatives. He earned a Masters of Divinity from Fuller Theological Seminary in 1985, and a B.A. in Biblical Studies, with minors in Greek and Philosophy in 1982, from Evangel University. Steve and Lisa have been married since 1989 and have two children, Erika and Ethan.

Just click the play button at the top of this post to enjoy this insightful discussion! To subscribe to our Group Talk Podcast, click HERE

Enjoy the warm beaches of SoCal, learn the cutting edge trends in small group ministry & network with the brightest small group point people from around the nation at the Lobby Gathering Small Group Conference in San Juan Capistrano! Register HERE ★ Support this podcast ★

Guest: Reid Smith

Topic: How did you do? Year-end review of your church, ministry, and self.

Why reflect on the past year what to evaluate?
Measuring progress - hard versus soft data
How do you know if group life and community is in the culture of the church?
What are some measures to evaluate the fruit of your groups ministry in the past year?
How did you grow (or not) in your own discipleship and leadership?

Bio: Reid Smith has been equipping leaders for effective discipleship making in churches of all sizes and stages of growth since 1996. He currently serves as the Groups Pastor at Christ Fellowship in Palm Beach, Florida and has been working in various discipleship ministries at that church since 2008. He is a contributing author for Christianity Today’s smallgroups.com and Lifeway’s Ministry Grid. Reid is also a consultant, speaker and SGN's Director of Communities of Purpose. www.reidsmith.org.

Just click the play button at the top of this post to enjoy this insightful discussion! To subscribe to our Group Talk Podcast, click HERE

A message from Santa Steve: “Give yourself a Christmas gift that will not only strengthen your leadership, but your small group ministry as well! Lock in early bird price by Dec 31st, HERE!“

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Everyone enters a new small group with spoken and unspoken expectations. Small group agreements or covenants are a helpful tool to discuss and establish the primary goals of the group as well as important guidelines for group members. We will discuss the process of establishing an agreement and the essential elements which need to be included.

Tracey Ware is a pastor in Melbourne, Australia with many years’ ministry experience in both NSW and Victoria. Tracey has a passion for small group ministry which goes back to her teenage years because it was in a small group that she was mentored, challenged and encouraged in her Christian faith. She serves as the volunteer Australian Leader of the Small Group Network, contributes monthly to SGN blog, started the first SGN huddle in Australia, and organized two Small Groups with Purpose Conferences with Steve Gladen in 2018.

Just click the play button at the top of this post to enjoy this insightful discussion! To subscribe to our Group Talk Podcast, click HERE

Grow as a leader, strengthen your team & accelerate the health & growth of your small group ministry by attending one of our “Accelerate!” Small Group Workshops! For more info & to lock in EARLY BIRD RATES click HERE!

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This month's group talk podcast features an insightful discussion regarding the book "The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why it Matters" by Priya Parker. Host Carolyn Taketa joins joins special guests Nick Lenzi (Dinner Group Director) & Andrew Camp (Former chef) to discuss the art of gathering.

Andrew Camp is currently the Spiritual Growth Pastor at Mountain Life Church in Park City, UT, where he has served since 2016. Previously, he worked as a professional chef. Andrew has a masters degree in spiritual formation and soul care from Talbot Seminary. He is also a blogger for the Small Group Network.

Nick Lenzi: Nick is the Dinner Group Director at Hoboken Grace Community Church in Hoboken, NJ. He is a former Wall Street financial analyst. Nick currently serves asÂ the Small Group Network Finance Director and his team prayerfully seeks to increase our financial resources so we can equip more small group point leaders in building biblical communities all over the world. He is also the Mid-Atlantic Regional Leader for the Small Group Network.

Just click the play button at the top of this post to enjoy this insightful discussion! To subscribe to our Group Talk Podcast, click HERE

Grow as a leader, strengthen your team & accelerate the health & growth of your small group ministry by attending one of our “Accelerate!” Small Group Workshops! For more info & to lock in =EARLY BIRD RATES click HERE!

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The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters

Topic: A question we frequently field from our small group leaders is, "What should we study?" There is an overwhelming range of materials and topics to choose from and it is critical to choose curriculum wisely. What a group chooses to study has a significant impact on group dynamics and spiritual growth. On this podcast, we discuss some issues to consider when choosing small group curriculum.

Guest: Chris Surratt

Chris Surratt is a ministry consultant and coach with more than 24 years of experience serving the local church. Chris served on the Executive Team at Cross Point Church in Nashville, Tennessee, and Seacoast Church in Charleston, South Carolina, prior to becoming the Discipleship and Small Group Specialist for LifeWay Christian Resources. chrissurratt.com.

Just click the play button at the top of this post to enjoy this insightful discussion! To subscribe to our Group Talk Podcast, click HERE

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This month, we take a look inside one of the most innovative "teaching churches" in America, National Community Church in Washington DC. They are well-known for establishing "Free market groups," semester-based groups, and effectively reaching millennials in a transitory urban environment.

Guest: Laura Holland

Bio: Laura Holland has been serving as the small groups pastor for three years at National Community Church, a multi-site church in Washington, DC. She spent the first ten years of her professional life working on Capitol Hill and for the Department of Defense, where the need for a job that allowed her to talk to other people became abundantly clear.

Just click the play button at the top of this post to enjoy this insightful discussion! To subscribe to our Group Talk Podcast, click HERE

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Who do you want on your team? And how do you recruit people to join you? Small groups ministry cannot be done by yourself. We all need a team of people with different personalities, gifts, and skills to build a thriving groups ministry. Listen to Steve share the top ten things he considers when he recruits a team. Guest: Steve Gladen Bio: Steve Gladen has been the pastor of small groups at Saddleback Church since 1998 and serves as an elder of the church. He oversees the strategic launch and spiritual development of more than 7,000 adult small groups on multiple campuses. He is the author of Small Groups with Purpose, Leading Small Groups with Purpose, and brand new release, "Planning Small Groups with Purpose." Steve is also the founder and leader of the Small Group Network and a tireless advocate for healthy small groups ministries. Just click the play button at the top of this post to enjoy this insightful discussion! To subscribe to our Group Talk Podcast, click HERE★ Support this podcast ★

Since evangelism is critical part of discipleship, it is typically a high value for our churches. However, practically speaking, many of our groups do not engage regularly in intentional outreach to nonbelievers. In this episode with Joel Comiskey, we focus on why evangelism helps small groups thrive and how we can empower groups to engage in relational evangelism.

Joel is the founder of Joel Comiskey Group and has written numerous books on cell groups-based churches. Joel consults with churches, coaches pastors in small group ministries around the world, and actively leads a life-giving small group. Joel recently published a book with co-author Jim Egli titled, “Groups that Thrive: 8 Surprising Discoveries About Life Giving Small Groups.”

Just click the play button at the top of this post to enjoy this insightful discussion! To subscribe to our Group Talk Podcast, click HERE

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Pioneer of small groups ministry in the United States, Carl George has been an influential voice in churches for decades. Here, Carl shares his thoughts on the small groups movement over the years including trends, concerns, and the future of small groups ministry in the current cultural context. Carl George, an internationally recognized church consultant, has helped congregations and leaders in over 100 denominations to increase their effectiveness. An experienced Pastor, Church Growth Institute director, and author, Carl has guided small group ministry design in many influential churches. Just click the play button at the top of this post to enjoy this insightful discussion! To subscribe to our Group Talk Podcast, click HERE★ Support this podcast ★

The New Group Talk Podcast Welcome to the new "Group Talk Podcast!" In this month's episode you will notice these exciting new updates...

An updated intro featuring new music and the new voice of Mike Kozlowski
New Producer Jason Banzhoff highlighting upcoming SGN Events
A new outro highlighting the purpose and power of SGN "Huddles" as well as how to connect with the Small Group Network online

A big thank you to Host Carolyn Taketa, Producer Jason Banzhoff and Mike Kozlowski for lending his voice to make all of these exciting new updates possible!

This Month's Podcast Most small group ministry leaders would agree that Bible study is a significant part of a small group. Yet, do our groups engage meaningfully with Scripture or are they just bouncing off verses during meetings?

How well do we train our group leaders on working through a passage of the Bible and helping members interpret and understand God's Word for themselves?
What can we do to increase our engagement with God's Word in groups?

Rev. Dr. Roberta Hestenes: As a pastor, Fuller seminary professor, Christian college president, international speaker, senior pastor and author, Rev. Dr. Roberta Hestenes has been a pioneering leader in Christian ministry 50+ years. She is the author of numerous books and publications including “Using the Bible in Groups” and a Bible commentary on 2 Corinthians and Galatians. She has lectured at more than 60 universities and seminaries and has received 8 honorary doctoral degrees. During her 15+ years on the theology faculty at Fuller Seminary, she initiated courses on small groups, women in ministry, and how to teach the Bible. She is an an ordained Presbyterian minister who currently serves as a teaching pastor at Bayside Granite Bay Church, near Sacramento.

Just click the play button at the top of this post to enjoy this insightful discussion! To subscribe to our Group Talk Podcast, click HERE

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Pastor Steve Gladen answers questions submitted from the 2018 SoCal "Lobby Gathering" participants on a variety of small groups ministry issues such as... * Leadership development * Group leader coaching * Creating a small groups church culture * Leading up * Group multiplication * Soul care * Future of group life.

Guest: Steve has been Global Pastor of Small Groups at Saddleback Church since 1998. He oversees the strategic launch and development of over 7,000 adult small groups on multiple campuses. He has authored Small Groups With Purpose, which has been translated into eight languages to date, and Leading Small Groups With Purpose. Just click the play button at the top of this post to enjoy this insightful discussion! To subscribe to our Group Talk Podcast, click HERE★ Support this podcast ★

We would all agree that small group leaders need the support, mentoring, and care that a coaching system can provide, but it continues to be an area of ministry that is challenging, and often a source of confusion and frustration. In this exclusive interview, Host Carolyn Taketa talks with Allen White about issues related to coaching, especially the top 5 common mistakes for small group point people to avoid! Allen White coaches churches in launching exponential groups. In over 25 years of ministry, he has served on staff at two churches: New Life Christian Center in Turlock, CA and Brookwood Church in Simpsonville, SC. He has coached over 1,500 churches across North America. Allen is the author of Exponential Groups: Unleashing Your Church's Potential.

Just click the play button at the top of this post to enjoy this insightful discussion! To subscribe to our Group Talk Podcast, click HERE★ Support this podcast ★

Q Do you ever wonder if the issues in your small groups ministry are unique to your environment? Q Are you curious to know if others are dealing with the same challenges? In this podcast, host Carolyn Taketa interviews special guest Amy Jackson where they survey the landscape of small groups ministry by looking at the top issues that arose in 2017 as well as the ongoing popular issues that come up year after year. Amy is the associate publisher of SmallGroups.com, a publication of Christianity Today which has over 875,000 visitors each year and specializes in providing resources for small-group point people. She has been a small-group leader for over 14 years and has served in small groups ministry as a director, minister, trainer, speaker, and coach. Just click the play button at the top of this post to enjoy this insightful discussion! To subscribe to our Group Talk Podcast, click HERE Take your small group ministry to the next level by attending the "Lobby Gathering" 2018 in sunny Southern California March 13-15th! Register HERE!★ Support this podcast ★

Q Do you serve as a Small Group Point Person in your local church? Would you like to learn how to maximize your small group ministry budget for this new year? If your answer is yes, then you've come to the right place! In this exclusive Group Talk Podcast episode, host Carolyn Taketa interviews Pastor Steve Gladen regarding the following topics and more.... * The framework to understand before crunching the numbers * How to do more with less * How to prioritize budget items * The best ways to ask for more money

Founder and leader of the Small Group Network, Pastor Steve Gladen has been the small groups pastor at Saddleback Church since 1998. A widely respected voice in small groups ministry, Steve has been an expert resource for small groups point people for decades. His books, Small Groups with Purpose and Leading Small Groups with Purpose which has now been translated into eleven languages to date.

Just click the play button at the top of this post to enjoy this insightful discussion! To subscribe to our Group Talk Podcast, click HERE

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Are you dealing with any sticky issues within your small group ministry? If so, you've come to the right place!

With more than 20 years of small groups ministry experience, Bill Search has led the discipleship charge in churches from the Midwest to California ranging in size from 1000 to 20,000. He's a frequent contributor to Smallgroups.com and RightNow Media. He has written 2 books: Simple Small Groups and the recently released Essential Guide for Small Group Leaders.

Part 1: Top 5 Sticky Issues in Small Groups (Click HERE to Listen) * Politics * Sex * Non-essential issues * Gossip /complaining * Alcohol/ substances

Part 2: Top 5 Sticky Issues for Small Groups Pastors and Directors. (Click HERE to Listen)

Relationship with senior leadership
Drawing from new trends
Defining small group
Underpromise and overdeliver
Managing your time

To subscribe to our Group Talk Podcast, click HERE

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Have you ever wished that there was a miracle formula for small groups ministry? A silver bullet that would guarantee that everyone in your church would be in a biblical Acts 2 kind of small group where people would grow to love God deeply, where lives would be radically transformed, the marginalized would be served, and non-Christians all around them would come to faith in Christ every day? As anyone who has been in ministry for longer than a day knows, there are no quick fixes. In fact, Daniel wrote a terrific new book called, “No Silver Bullets” which lays out 5 microshifts that can produce macro changes, lasting movement in the right direction for your groups ministry and church.

Bio: Daniel Im is the Director of Church Multiplication for NewChurches.com and LifeWay Christian Resources since 2014. He serves as Teaching Pastor at The Fellowship, a multisite church in Nashville, TN. Daniel is also the co-author of Planting Missional Churches: Your Guide to Starting Churches that Multiply with Ed Stetzer. He has an M.A. in Global Leadership and has served in groups ministry and pastored in three countries, six cities, and churches ranging from 100 to 50,000.

Click HERE for more resources from the Small Group Network

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Have you ever wished that there was a miracle formula for small groups ministry? A silver bullet that would guarantee that everyone in your church would be in a biblical Acts 2 kind of small group where people would grow to love God deeply, where lives would be radically transformed, the marginalized would be served, and non-Christians all around them would come to faith in Christ every day? As anyone who has been in ministry for longer than a day knows, there are no quick fixes. Our guest Daniel Im, wrote a terrific new book called, “No Silver Bullets” which lays out 5 microshifts that can produce macro changes, lasting movement in the right direction for your groups ministry and church. Daniel Im is the Director of Church Multiplication for NewChurches.com and LifeWay Christian Resources since 2014. He serves as Teaching Pastor at The Fellowship, a multisite church in Nashville, TN. Daniel is also the co-author of Planting Missional Churches: Your Guide to Starting Churches that Multiply with Ed Stetzer. He has an M.A. in Global Leadership and has served in groups ministry and pastored in three countries, six cities, and churches ranging from 100 to 50,000 Just click the play button at the top of this post to enjoy this insightful discussion! To subscribe to our Group Talk Podcast, click HERE★ Support this podcast ★

Q Do you serve in a local church ministry? Are you a small group point person? Are you doing groups in a multisite context? If your answer is yes to any of these questions, then this Small Group Network podcast is for you as it will encourage and equip you regarding general ministry principles, leadership & groups in a multisite context!

Jason Williams is a Texan, born and bred. He earned an MBA from University of Texas at Dallas and worked for 10 years in oil & gas and healthcare IT field. Jason joined Chase Oaks Church staff in Plano, TX for 8 years as part of the executive team, teaching team, and was responsible for developing groups ministry across all campuses, including launching a new campus. In fall 2016, Jason joined Saddleback’s staff as the Campus Groups Development Pastor. In 2010, Saddleback started their first multisite campus and currently has 18 campuses with a 19th one in the works for December. Jason develops and oversees the leadership of groups ministry on all campuses.

In this exclusive "Group Talk" podcast, Host Carolyn Taketa interviews Jason regarding groups in a multisite context as well as general ministry principles that will apply to any ministry leader.

Just click the play button at the top of this post to enjoy this insightful discussion! To subscribe to our Group Talk Podcast, click HERE

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If we were to ask you, “what are your top 3 challenges in your small groups ministry?” One of your answers would probably be related to getting new leaders or starting new groups! Whether you are launching a new small groups ministry at your church or growing an existing one, it can only happen when you have new people stepping up to lead or host a group. So what are some practical strategies we can use to start new groups and get new leaders?

Adam Workman is the Discipleship Pastor at Sandals Church, a multi-site church in Riverside, CA where he has been serving for 3 years. Previously, he was in groups ministry in Maryland and Pennsylvania. He has been a groups pastor for 14 years. Adam is also the Southern California and Hawaii Regional Leader for the Small Group Network.

Host Carolyn Taketa asks Adam the following questions and more in this exclusive interview…

What are some practical strategies we can use to start new groups?
What are some practical strategies we can use to get new leaders?

Just click the play button at the top of this post to enjoy this insightful discussion! To subscribe to our Group Talk Podcast, click HERE

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Q Are you feeling burnt-out as a ministry leader? Q Do you know other ministry leaders who are on the edge of burn-out? If so, you've come to the right place...

The greatest gift you can give those you lead is your own healthy soul. So often, as pastors and Christian leaders, we get weary and depleted behind the scenes even while our ministries are thriving and successful. The statistics on pastors struggling with depression, anxiety, and burnout are alarming.

Lance Witt is the founder of a ministry called REPLENISH, which has been around for 10 years. It is dedicated to helping people live and lead from a healthy soul. Prior to starting Replenish, Lance served 20 years as a senior pastor and another 7 years as an Executive/Teaching pastor at Saddleback Church in Southern California. He led Saddleback’s small group Campaigns, such as 40 Days of Purpose and 40 Days of Community. Currently, along with speaking, consulting and training, Lance does Life Plans, individual coaching, and staff training and development. He has published a book called Replenish and is currently working on a new book on High Impact teams to be released in 2018.

Host Carolyn Taketa asks Lance the following questions and more in this exclusive interview...

So how do we care for ourselves in such a way that we minister from a healthy soul?
What are the warning signs to look for?
What spiritual disciplines and practical activities help us replenish our souls and keep us flourishing both in ministry and in our personal lives?

Just click the play button at the top of this post to enjoy this insightful discussion! To subscribe to our Group Talk Podcast, click HERE

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"What will our groups study?" This is a common question in groups ministry and one that is critically important in shaping the dynamics and discipleship process of a group. The sermon based model has been increasingly popular over the past decade and can be a valuable tool to helping groups get into Scripture with one another in practical, life-changing ways. In this conversation with Dave Ennes, we unpack the what, why, and how of the sermon-based model.

Dave has been on staff at North Coast Church (the Sticky Church) since 1990 and is the lead pastor of their Small Groups Ministry. He oversees a team of 25 staff, 1,500 lay leaders and over 7,000 who attend their home groups. Under Dave’s leadership, North Coast remains well-known for maintaining over 80% adult participation in weekly home groups. He has also played an integral role in helping North Coast grow from 700 to now over 12,000 weekend attendees. Given Dave’s decades of experience, his coaching and training has been valuable for small group leaders and veteran ministry leaders around the country, no matter the size or type of ministry. Host Carolyn Taketa asks Dave the following questions and more in this exclusive interview!

What are the basic aspects of the sermon based small group model?
What are the advantages of using sermon based curriculums for small groups?
What are the challenges of the sermon based model?

Just click the play button at the top of this post to enjoy this insightful discussion! To subscribe to our Group Talk Podcast, click HERE

Are you a member of our Facebook Group? Benefits include connecting with other small group ministry leaders world-wide, sharing ideas, asking questions and receiving insightful resources! To join this amazing community, click HERE

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Words are powerful. As small group pastors and directors, a critical part of our role is to use words to shape vision, empower, encourage, and connect with people. But, is the terminology you are using in your ministry inadvertently creating barriers, limiting vision, and miscommunicating expectations?

Andrew Mason is the Small Groups Pastor at Real Life Church in Sacramento, CA and the founder of SmallGroupChurches.com. Andrew also serves as the Small Group Network's NorCal Regional Leader and has started multiple "Huddles." Listen to this engaging conversation between Host Carolyn Taketa and Andrew as they tackle common words (e.g., leader, coach, training) used in Small Group ministries and examine the intended and unintended consequences of those words!

Just click the play button at the top of this post to enjoy this insightful discussion! To subscribe to our Group Talk Podcast, click HERE

Are you a member of our Facebook Group? Benefits include connecting with other small group ministry leaders world-wide, sharing ideas, asking questions and receiving insightful resources! To join this amazing community, click HERE

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What does it take for women to flourish in ministry? If you or anyone on your team are asking these questions, then you’ve come to the right place!

Host Carolyn Taketa interviews Awana CEO and SGN Lobby Conference speaker, Valerie Bell on her insights based on decades of ministry in various leadership settings. This lively conversation addresses a variety of issues concerning women in leadership such as leading through influence rather than title, mentoring, gaining credibility, timing and opportunities, responding to God's calling, the Billy Graham rule, the spiritual practice of "Christ between us," balancing work and parenting, and other challenges.

Just click the play button at the top of this post to enjoy this insightful discussion! To subscribe to our Group Talk Podcast, click HERE

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Steve Gladen has served as the Global Pastor of Small Groups at Saddleback Church since 1998. He oversees the strategic launch and development of over 7,000 adult small groups on multiple campuses. Steve has authored “Small Groups With Purpose,” which has translated into eight languages to date, and “Leading Small Groups With Purpose.” Steve is also the Founder of the Small Group Network (SGN) giving influence and oversight to all the SGN initiatives.

This special episode of "Group Talk" was recorded live at "The Lobby" conference in SoCal in early March with a live audience. Host Carolyn Taketa sits down with Steve Gladen and asks him an array of questions ranging from broad ministry philosophy to specific small group strategies. There are many moments of humor throughout that you will not want to miss!

Just click the play button at the top of this post to enjoy this insightful discussion! To subscribe to our Group Talk Podcast, click HERE

We’ve noticed that most of the practical learnings and best practices you bring home from a Small Group conference were shared “in the lobby” with other Small Group Ministry Leaders rather than from the main stage. It’s in the Lobby that you can engage in an in-depth conversation about real-life issues in your Small Group Ministry. The Small Group Network One Day Lobby Gathering – Tennessee will intentionally facilitate these types of interactions. REGISTER

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Q What are the emerging trends in small group ministry? How are millennials viewing small group ministry? What are wholistic small groups? If you or anyone on your team are asking these questions, then you’ve come to the right place!

Mike Mack has been involved in discipleship and small group ministry for more than 25 years, most recently at Northeast Christian Church in Louisville, KY. He founded SmallGroups.com in 1996 and has led small group training seminars across the US as well as in Canada and Brazil. He is a consultant and leads a ministry called small group leadership and is the author of eight books about small groups and discipleship, most recently, “World’s Greatest Small Group.” He is currently an adjunct professor at Cincinnati Christian University and teaches a class on Small Group Ministry & Discipling.

In this month’s “Group Talk” podcast, host Carolyn Taketa discusses the following topics with Michael in this exclusive interview…

How millennials are viewing small groups in today's culture
How to leverage the connections you already have in your life to do groups
Train and trust: how to have a balanced leadership structure in ministry
Wholistic groups and emerging trends in small group ministry
How to have the worlds greatest small group

Just click the play button at the top of this post to enjoy this insightful discussion! To subscribe to our Group Talk Podcast, click HERE

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In this episode, Eric Falcinella asks Steve a very important question while he was sitting alone drinking a coffee at Starbucks. It was a great impromptu conversation. Enjoy!

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Three Seasons of Ministry: What I Wish I Had Known

Part 3: Sustaining

Steve Gladen has served as the Global Pastor of Small Groups at Saddleback Church since 1998. He oversees the strategic launch and development of over 7,000 adult small groups on multiple campuses. Steve has authored “Small Groups With Purpose,” which has translated into eight languages to date, and “Leading Small Groups With Purpose.” Steve is also the Founder of the Small Group Network (SGN) giving influence and oversight to all the SGN initiatives.

In part 3 of this 3 part “Group Talk” podcast series, host Carolyn Taketa interviews Steve on the following topics in this exciting interview about 5 things to pay attention to in each season of ministry.

How to build a board of directors that can help navigate & sustain life & ministry
How to pour into & equip other churches & leaders
Learning to trust, yet verify
How to be aware of tunnel vision
How to stay hungry for the long haul

Just click the play button at the top of this post to enjoy this insightful discussion! To subscribe to our Group Talk Podcast, click HERE

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Three Seasons of Ministry: What I Wish I Had Known

Part 2: Stabilizing

Steve Gladen has served as the Global Pastor of Small Groups at Saddleback Church since 1998. He oversees the strategic launch and development of over 7,000 adult small groups on multiple campuses. Steve has authored “Small Groups With Purpose,” which has been translated into eight languages to date, and “Leading Small Groups With Purpose.” Steve is also the Founder of the Small Group Network (SGN) giving influence and oversight to all the SGN initiatives.

In part 2 of this 3 part “Group Talk” podcast series, host Carolyn Taketa interviews Steve on the following topics in this exciting interview about 5 things to pay attention to in each season of ministry.

Learning to understand and flow with your church culture
Creating a blue-print for your ministry and knowing what to focus on
Stopping drift and staying true to your metrics
Remembering your calling and overcoming insecurities
Growing your volunteer leadership team

Just click the play button at the top of this post to enjoy this insightful discussion! To subscribe to our Group Talk Podcast, click HERE

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Three Seasons of Ministry: What I Wish I Had Known

Part 1: Starting

Steve Gladen has served as the Global Pastor of Small Groups at Saddleback Church since 1998. He oversees the strategic launch and development of over 7,000 adult small groups on multiple campuses. Steve has authored “Small Groups With Purpose,” which has been translated into eight languages to date, and “Leading Small Groups With Purpose.” Steve is also the Founder of the Small Group Network (SGN) giving influence and oversight to all the SGN initiatives.

In part 1 of this 3 part “Group Talk” podcast series, host Carolyn Taketa interviews Steve on the following topics in this exciting interview about 5 things to pay attention to in each season of ministry.

The main objectives to focus on in year one of being a new small group point person.
Building trust with your senior leadership (Listen to Steve discuss this more.)
Taking time to develop a blue-print for your ministry
Staring out with small steps
The 5 phases of changing church culture
Building relationships & finding the right mentors to support you

Just click the play button at the top of this post to enjoy this insightful discussion! To subscribe to our Group Talk Podcast, click HERE

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This is a special episode provided to us by the Northeast Regional Leader, Chip Kelly. To set this up, Chip Kelly hosted an online Huddle where he invited other leaders along with Steve Gladen to discuss topics and issues about small group ministry leadership.

Enjoy!!

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Q How do you measure the fruitfullnes of small group ministry? How do you decide what metrics to you use? If you or anyone on your team are asking these questions, then you’ve come to the right place!

Bill Willits is the Executive Director of Ministry Environments for North Point Ministries. NPM is the parent organization of six Atlanta churches (Including North Point Community Church) as well as twenty-three strategic partner churches around the world. Bill is one of the founding staff members of North Point and the architect of its influential small groups ministry model. He is also the co-author of the book, "Creating Community" with Andy Stanley. His passion for community along with his amazing team has helped them connect just over 80,000 children, students and adults into the benefits of group life.

In this month’s “Group Talk” podcast, host Carolyn Taketa interviews Bill and asks him the following questions and more in this exciting interview…

How do we know if someone is actually growing in their relationship with Jesus?
What are the measurable wins that help us understand if we are really making progress?
How do we get people from the rows into circles?
What is the typical retention rate for small group leaders?

Just click the play button at the top of this post to enjoy this insightful discussion! To subscribe to our Group Talk Podcast, click HERE

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Q Do you desire to be the best leader you can be? Would you like to strengthen the weaker areas of your leadership? Do you want to influence people like never before and help elevate your team to new heights? If your answer is "Yes," then you’ve come to the right place!

Jenni Catron is the author of several books including "The 4 Dimensions of Extraordinary Leadership." She is also a leadership coach who consults churches and non-profits to help them lead from their extraordinary best. Jenni has also served as an executive leader at both Menlo Church in Menlo Park , CA with senior pastor John Ortberg and Cross Point Church in Nashville TN with senior pastor Pete Wilson. Jenni blogs at JenniCatron.com and has recognized by Outreach Magazine as one of the thirty emerging influencers reshaping church leadership. Take Jenni's "4 Dimensions Assessment" HERE

In this month’s “Group Talk” podcast, host Carolyn Taketa interviews Jenni and asks her the following questions and more in this exciting interview…

How do we be the best leaders we can be?
What differentiates someone from being an ordinary leader versus an extraordinary leader?
What are the 4 dimensions of extraordinary leadership?
How can leaders sync their leadership strengths within their church staff leadership culture?

Just click the play button at the top of this post to enjoy this insightful discussion! To subscribe to our Group Talk Podcast, click HERE

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The Four Dimensions of Extraordinary Leadership: The Power of Leading from Your Heart, Soul, Mind, and Strength

Q As a small group point person, how am I cultivating my own relationship with the Lord?

Q How do I create a culture of discipleship within my small group ministry?

If you or anyone on your team is wrestling with these questions, you’ve come to the right place!

Reid Smith has been equipping group leaders for effective disciple-making since 1996. He was a part of the Small Group Network from the beginning, serving as the Area Leader for the Northwest, and then South Florida in 2008 when he began serving in the discipleship ministries at Christ Fellowship church in Palm Beach, FL. Reid has served churches as a pastor, consultant, trainer, and author for such publishers as Christianity Today’s smallgroups.com and ministrygrid.com

If you missed part 1 of this podcast, you can find it HERE

In part 2 of this month’s “Group Talk” podcast, host Carolyn Taketa interviews Reid and asks him the following questions and more in this exciting interview…

How can small group point people ensure that their leaders are being equipped & experiencing community with other leaders?
When a group seems to get stuck or seems unhealthy, how much of that falls on the group leader?
What advice would you give to pastors and coaches who manage groups that are stagnant?

Just click the play button at the top of this post to enjoy this insightful discussion! To subscribe to our Group Talk Podcast, click HERE

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Q How do you define discipleship? How do you know that people are actually being discipled through small groups? If you or anyone on your team is wrestling with these questions, you’ve come to the right place!

Reid Smith has been equipping group leaders for effective disciple-making since 1996. He was a part of the Small Group Network from the beginning, serving as the Area Leader for the Northwest, and then South Florida in 2008 when he began serving in the discipleship ministries at Christ Fellowship church in Palm Beach, FL. Reid has served churches as a pastor, consultant, trainer, and author for such publishers as Christianity Today's smallgroups.com and ministrygrid.com

In part 1 of this month’s “Group Talk” podcast, host Carolyn Taketa interviews Reid as he addresses the following topics in this exciting session…

What are the core components of discipleship?
Why are small groups essential environments to cultivate discipleship?
What are the indicators that show people are actually being discipled through small groups?

Just click the play button at the top of this post to enjoy this insightful discussion! To subscribe to our Group Talk Podcast, click HERE

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Q How do you change culture & lead effective small group ministry when your lead pastor or senior leadership may not be entirely on board? How can you align your small groups (House to house movement) to compliment your weekend services (Temple courts)? If you or anyone on your team is wrestling with these questions, you've come to the right place!

Steve Gladen has served as the Global Pastor of Small Groups at Saddleback Church since 1998. He oversees the strategic launch and development of over 7,000 adult small groups on multiple campuses. Steve has authored "Small Groups With Purpose," which has been translated into eight languages to date, and "Leading Small Groups With Purpose." Steve is also the Founder of the Small Group Network (SGN) giving influence and oversight to all the SGN initiatives.

In this month’s “Group Talk” podcast, Host Eric Falcinella interviews Steve as he answers the above questions and addresses the following topics in this exciting interview…

How to lead with humility not entitlement
How to develop a reputation for responsibility
How not to be deceptive or manipulative
How to choose the right time, place & words to engage your pastor
How to appeal to your pastors goals & interests
How to trust God even if your pastor rejects your ideas
How to know your calling

Just click the play button at the top of this post to enjoy this insightful discussion! To subscribe to our Group Talk Podcast, click HERE

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Q What is the difference between small groups and support groups? How do we care for the people in our small groups in ways that are healthy without becoming therapists for them? How do we keep small groups on track for their intended purpose? If you or anyone on your team is wrestling with these questions, you've come to the right place!

Jon Noto serves as Community Life Pastor at one of Willow Creek Community Church’s regional campuses. Jon coordinates discipleship and pastoral care, bringing his insights as a therapist to unite both ministries. Prior to serving at Willow Creek, Jon was a clinical therapist in a variety of settings, including Christian private practice and community mental health. Jon also writes for a number of online publications including the Small Group Network, smallgroups.com, along with his own website, theunwavering.com

In part 2 of this month’s “Group Talk” podcast, Host Carolyn Taketa asks Jon the following questions and addresses the following topics in this exciting interview…

How do you council leaders to handle broken & hurting people?
Knowing when group members should give special care to someone in the group
How long is an appropriate period of time to deal with a crisis during a group?
The three categories of "Needy" people

Just click the play button at the top of this post to enjoy this insightful discussion! To subscribe to our Group Talk Podcast, click HERE

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Q What is the difference between small groups and support groups? How do we care for the people in our small groups in ways that are healthy without becoming therapists for them? How do we keep small groups on track for their intended purpose? If you or anyone on your team is wrestling with these questions, you've come to the right place!

Jon Noto serves as Community Life Pastor at one of Willow Creek Community Church’s regional campuses. Jon coordinates discipleship and pastoral care, bringing his insights as a therapist to unite both ministries. Prior to serving at Willow Creek, Jon was a clinical therapist in a variety of settings, including Christian private practice and community mental health. Jon also writes for a number of online publications including the Small Group Network, smallgroups.com, along with his own website, theunwavering.com

In this month’s “Group Talk” podcast, Host Carolyn Taketa asks Jon the following questions and more in this exciting interview…

How would you define a support group?
How can small groups help people differently than support groups can?
What do support groups do well that we can apply to small groups?

Just click the play button at the top of this post to enjoy this insightful discussion! To subscribe to our Group Talk Podcast, click HERE

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Daniel Thomas is the Campus Pastor & Director of Adult Ministries at Highlands Fellowship Church in Abingdon, Virginia. Prior to that role, Daniel served as Highland's Small Groups Director and Leadership Development Pastor. He is the Small Group Network Regional Leader for the Atlantic Coast.

In this month’s “Group Talk” podcast, Host Carolyn Taketa talks with Daniel about the following topics in this exciting interview…

The differences between small group models & finding the right one that fits your church culture
What essential qualities to look for in prospective leaders
Thinking differently & changing your methods to find new leaders
The value of being connected to a network of small group point people
The importance of creating easy on ramps when recruiting new leaders

Just click the play button at the top of this post to enjoy this insightful discussion!

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If you are interested in learning about how online groups can help you & your church fulfill its mission of reaching the un-churched & making disciples, then you've come to the right place!

Jay Kranda is the Online Campus Pastor at Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, CA. The Online Campus includes over 20,000 people every week and 1,800 small groups, of which 40% are online. Jay is also the author of "Social Media Made Easy: Inexpensive Online Marketing Guide for Non-Profits" and hosts the podcast, "Social Media Church."

In this month’s "Group Talk" podcast, Host Carolyn Taketa talks with Jay about the what, why & how of online small groups! Jay hits on the following topics in this exciting interview…

How online groups can be used to reach millennials.
The primary benefits of having online groups.
When churches should consider launching online groups.
How to use Facebook groups to begin experimenting with online groups.
What platforms & software to use for online groups.

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The world is becoming increasingly complex, while at the same time becoming increasingly interconnected. The reality is that with each revolution the planet Earth makes around the sun, our countries, cities and communities look less and less like they used to. The world is a very different place than it was 50 years ago. There is a great migration taking place in many parts of the world, and the beautiful thing about these changes is how much smaller the world has become in the process. Exponential urban and immigration growth has given us unprecedented exposure and access to diversity, varied ethnicities and cultures and with it all, opportunities to learn from one another.

Increasingly, the churches in our cities are becoming microcosms of the cities themselves. Along with the beautiful array of culture and diversity can also come challenges in terms of meeting the wide range of ministry needs for diverse people groups, understanding other cultures and serving those we may not completely understand.

In this month’s Group Talk, Carolyn Taketa welcomes Mark Nam, to talk about these challenges and opportunities. Does your ministry have a plan and system to welcome and minister to refugees, foreign domestic workers and diverse ethnicities? How can your church address issues of justice and reconciliation? Is your church even a place where those of different cultures would feel welcome to worship and experience community? These are all questions that must be addressed by the 21st century church that desires to grow and thrive in today’s culture. Because this isn’t the world that we used to know.”

Mark Nam is the Community-Life Pastor at The Vine Church, an international church in Hong Kong. He is originally from the UK where he graduated from the University of Wales with an honours in law. Mark began working at The Vine as a worship pastor in 2007, recording three albums with Integrity Music under The Vine Band and was instrumental in establishing Worship Central Asia, a school of worship originating from Holy Trinity Brompton in London.

Since 2013, Mark has been responsible for the spiritual-development and care of The Vine’s Small-Group communities, that meet across Hong Kong, Kowloon, New Territories and out-lying islands. He also spearheads Family-Life, a ministry of The Vine that aims to bring practical teaching and training focused on Christian values.

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Diversity is a beautiful thing. People, cultures, perspectives and ideas come in all shapes, sizes, colors and variations, adding tremendous depth and value the tapestry of life we're all part of. And just like people, cultures, perspectives and ideas, personalities also come in all shapes, sizes, colors and variations. This, too, is a beautiful thing, However, problems tend to surface when we fail to understand and appreciate the diversity of personalities and how that diversity impacts and adds value to our environments, relationships and leadership styles.

In this month's Group Talk, Carolyn Taketa talks with Amy Jackson and Tom Kang about learning to understand and appreciate the diversity in personality types and how finding value in the nuances of the various temperaments can help you shape effective ministry environments and experiences.

Amy Jackson is a managing editor at Christianity Today and oversees the websites SmallGroups.com, ChristianBibleStudies.com, and Gifted for Leadership. She has served as a small group minister and has a M.A. in Christian Formation and Ministry from Wheaton College. Smallgroups.com is a widely used resource for small group ministry leaders with 2.5 million page views per year. You can connect with Amy on Twitter @AmyKJackson.

Tom Kang is the Men’s Pastor at Saddleback Church where he provides point leadership for the men at their central campus in Lake Forest, CA. He was originally born and raised in NJ and most recently served as a Teaching Pastor & Campus Pastor at Liquid Church, before coming to Saddleback in 2015. You can connect with Tom on Twitter @kangsta and TheManlyMinute on YouTube.

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Millennials... Flaky. Inconsistent. Non-Commital. Inauthentic. Insert your own adjective here _______. All terms frequently used when the millennial generation enters the conversation. However, even for as much as there may be threads of truth woven into stereotype personas, the reality is many millennials are quite the opposite of how they are often portrayed. Many are dependable, consistent and crave authenticity. The secret lies in learning how to crack the code and speak the cultural language of the millennial, serving them where they are and challenging them to new levels of life and spiritual growth.

In this month's Group Talk, Carolyn Taketa talks with millennial pastors Tommy Carreras and Jennifer Ip about their experiences, insights and perspectives on reaching, impacting and developing the millennial generation.

Tommy Carreras has been on staff for 2 ½ years at Mission Church in Ventura CA, a four and a half year old church plant, leading small groups and new guest connections. He loves the challenge of designing and implementing strategy around people’s real stories. He says, "my bio would be longer but I am only 25 years old."

Jennifer Ip is the Lifegroups Director at Mariners Church in Irvine, CA. Prior to that role, Jen was on staff with CRU, formerly known as Campus Crusade for Christ as the director of CRU City Millennials in LA. Jen is also a life coach, specializing in working with millennials.

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Albert Einstein once said, "everything must be made as simple as possible, but not simpler." When it comes to designing and implementing systems for your church's Small Groups Ministry, you'd be hard pressed to find truer words spoken. Whether you're a groups ministry veteran or brand new to the groups world, the constant challenge at every level of your ministry will not necessarily be "what" you do, but "how" you do it. Small Groups systems and strategies are not one-size-fits-all, and having a balanced perspective on how your church does groups is crucial to a healthy ministry.

In this month's Group Talk, Carolyn Taketa talks with Will Johnston about understanding small groups systems, determining the best fit for your church and why that is important.

Will Johnston is an author, speaker, and consultant on small group ministry, specializing in building and troubleshooting small group systems. He previously served as the groups pastor at National Community Church, a multi-site congregation in Washington DC. You can connect with Will at willfjohnston.com and on Twitter @willjohnston.

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Building a team. Developing a playbook. Identifying wins. All fundamentals of any effective football team. But would you believe they're also some of the same foundational principles that will greatly determine success in small group ministry?

In this month's Group Talk, Carolyn Taketa talks with Small Group Network Founder, Steve Gladen, about the core strategies that are crucial on both the football field and in your small group ministry.

Steve Gladen has been a small groups pastor for 25+ years. Since 1998, he has been the Pastor of Small Groups at Saddleback Church where he oversees the strategic launch and development of 5,000+ adult small groups on multiple campuses. The founder of the Small Group Network, he has also authored Small Groups With Purpose, which has been translated into seven languages to date, and Leading Small Groups With Purpose. Connect with Steve on Twitter: @stevegladen

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Neil Sedaka was right. Breaking up IS hard to do. But sometimes, breaking up is necessary. While Neil probably didn't have your small group in mind when he wrote his deceptively sweet heart break anthem in the 60's, he very well could have! Sometimes, the question isn't "if" you should end your small group, but rather "how". What are some indicators that it is time to break up? What if people don't want to break up? If you decide to end, how do you go do it in a healthy, relationally honoring way? If you've found yourself singing the words of another blast-from-the-past Small Group anthem, "Should I Stay or Should I Go?", then this month's group talk is for you!

In this month's Group Talk, Carolyn Taketa talks with Allen White about the delicate topic of knowing when it's time to break up with your group, good and bad reasons to end a group and practical tips on how to transition well.

Allen has devoted the last 25+ years to helping people find Christ, make meaningful connections, grow in their faith, and find fulfillment in ministry. He has successfully launched hundreds of groups at two churches as the Associate Pastor: New Life Christian Center, Turlock, CA for 15 year and Brookwood Church, Simpsonville, SC for 4 years. Additionally, Allen has had the privilege of coaching over 1,500 churches of all sizes and denominations over the last 11 years. Allen currently lives in Greenville, South Carolina and is a huddle leader for SGN. You can connect with Allen online at allenwhite.org and on Twitter @allenwhite.

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Because we are all Small Groups Ministry practitioners on some level, it is easy to unwittingly assume that everyone else is just like... "us". They value what we value, think how we think, want what we want and respond how we respond. The truth is, most of us are sitting on the proverbial front row, with rows and rows of "them" behind us... different personalities, different experiences, different perspectives, waiting to be engaged, waiting to be included, and most of the time just waiting on... "us".

In this month's Group Talk, Carolyn Taketa talks with Chris Surratt, author of Small Groups For The Rest Of Us, about designing your small groups so that everyone, from the front row to the fringes, are invited into thriving, Christ-centered community.

Chris is the Discipleship Specialist for Smallgroup.com at Lifeway Christian Resources, a ministry consultant with The Unstuck Group and author of the new book, Small Groups For The Rest of Us: How To Design Your Small Groups To Reach The Fringes. Most recently, he was the Pastor Of Ministries at Cross Point Church in Nashville, Tennessee, where he oversaw and helped guide small groups and global and local good across five campuses. Before coming to Cross Point in 2009, Chris was on staff at Seacoast Church in Charleston, South Carolina, for fifteen years, serving as a worship arts pastor, campus pastor and on the directional leadership team. You can connect with Christ on Twitter @ChrisSurratt and on his website ChrisSurratt.com.

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Small Groups for the Rest of Us: How to Design Your Small Groups System to Reach the Fringes

Challenging seasons of life are inevitable. It is never a question of "if" they will occur, but rather "when". When life gets tough, it is often how we respond to the challenges we're faced with that shape us more than the situation itself. Particularly as a leader, it is in those times when living with vulnerability and authenticity can have the biggest impact on leading with vulnerability.

In this month's Group Talk, Carolyn Taketa talks with Laura Copeland about what it means to live and lead authentically in the tough seasons and when life hurts.

Laura Copeland has been serving on staff at churches, mostly in small groups ministries for almost 10 years, and she has a desire to see honest, authentic community where people are being transformed by the truths of God. She has an MA in New Testament Studies from Talbot School of Theology and recently joined the small groups team at Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, CA. Laura also serves on the SGN Communications team, overseeing the SGN Facebook page.

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Summer is a time when is seems like everyone’s schedule gets turned upside down, making it hard for your groups to meet consistently. However, with just a little creativity and planning, the Summer months could present your groups with a unique opportunity to focus on outreach and connect with the local community in extremely effective ways

An effective outreach strategy could very well be lying right in the middle of your current groups and their relationships. In this month’s Group Talk, Nick Lenzi shares some creative strategies his groups recently used to make a significant impact in reaching their community, as well as practical ideas for how your groups can do the same.

Nick Lenzi is the Groups Director at Hoboken Grace in Hoboken, NJ. Prior to moving into full time ministry, Nick worked on Wall Street as a Trade Support Analyst. He spends his free time with his wife Erika of 4 years, together they enjoy attending comedy shows, concerts and people watching in New York City. Nick has a passion for seeing people get connected into authentic biblical community and helping them take their next step. He is also currently serving as the Mid Atlantic Regional Director for the Small Group Network. You can connect with Nick on Twitter @nicklenzi

BONUS: (links to articles mentioned in the podcast) 10 Best Summer Ideas For Your Group 10 Ways To Live Sent This Summer

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Kay Warren is the co-founder of Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, CA with her husband Rick Warren as well as the founder and advocate of the HIV & AIDS initiative at Saddleback and around the world. She is an international speaker, best selling author, and bible teacher. Kay’s latest book, “Choose Joy, because happiness isn’t enough” was published in 2012.

After their son, Matthew, took his life in 2013, the Warrens revealed that Matthew had a lifelong struggle with mental illness. Since then, Rick and Kay are committed to raising awareness about mental illness, reducing the stigma many experience and equipping local churches, groups, and families to effectively minister to those living with mental illness.

Conference: The Gathering on Mental Health and the Church (Oct. 7-9, 2015) http://mentalhealthandthechurch.com/

blog: kaywarren.com

Twitter: @kaywarren1

Facebook: Kay Warren

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Many of us have stepped into existing small groups ministries to add new support, leadership and vision to what was already there. But what about creating a groups ministry at a church where one didn’t necessarily already exist?

Ministry buzzwords are a dime a dozen, but actually having to implement ideas and vision to relaunch a groups ministry can be a real challenge. It’s crucial to get your finger on the pulse of a particular church’s culture enough to define reality, contextualize vision and properly frame the conversation around shared desires and goals. But how do you do that?

This month, Andrew Mason breaks down the process he used in relaunching a groups ministry from “ground zero”, sharing practical concepts and actionable strategies that can be scaled for any size church or ministry.

Andrew Mason oversees Small Groups at Real Life Church, a multi-site family of churches in Northern, CA. Andrew is the Northern CA Regional Leader for the Small Group Network and founded the website, SmallGroupChurches.com. He resides in Sacramento, CA with his wife Camile and their two sons. You can connect with Andrew on Twitter @_AndrewSMason.

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Are you looking for the silver bullet for your groups ministry? Then keep looking, because this isn't the Group Talk for you. But if you're willing to sit and listen, learn, and digest, this edition of Group Talk will help you think outside of your box. You have something to learn from the Mid-Sized Community movement. Get your notepad ready.

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The sage prophet Benjamin Franklin once said "a failure to plan is a plan to fail." Every day of every year, teams and leaders across the world read that perennial quote in bewilderment, wondering "how did he KNOW?!?" If you've ever been there and felt the weight of the failure to plan, this month's Group Talk is for you!

The million dollar question is always "how do I establish goals, plot my path there and keep my team excited, engaged and moving toward them?" This month, Steve Gladen, Global Small Groups Pastor at Saddleback Church and Founder of Small Group Network, shares practical strategies on how to do just that. From tips on carving out ministry goals to actionable steps to staying focused to accomplishing them, this month's Group Talk is packed full of wisdom on how to prepare your team for a year of effective ministry! Connect with Steve on Twitter @stevegladen.

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Listen to the host of Group Talk, Carolyn Taketa interview Mark Howell, the Pastor of Communities at Canyon Ridge Christian Church in Las Vegas, Nevada.

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