Growing Leaders Thriving Groups: Recent Episodes
Parkway Fellowship
The Growing Leader Thriving Groups Podcast is a conversation designed to equip Small Group leaders in their leadership, which will, in turn, lead to thriving groups.
In today's episode, we are closing out a three-part series called Next. We’ve been exploring how to proactively and purposefully invest in the leaders around us to maximize their potential and multiply impact within our groups, churches, and communities. In this final conversation of the series, we’re thrilled to welcome Adam Erlichman of Build Groups to the pod. Adam is going to give us his perspective on several of the most common multiplication problems he encounters in his work and how we can work to overcome them.
In today's episode, we are in Part Two of a three-part series called "Next" and we’re going to take another step by talking about what to do practically with those people we identify- specifically, how to create a pathway toward meaningful responsibility that equips others without either underselling or overwhelming them.
In today's episode, we are diving into a brand new series called "Next." Over the next three weeks, we are going to dive into one of the most important, but often challenging, aspects of small group leadership: identifying and developing other leaders around us. We’re going to start the conversation today by talking about how to identify quality candidates for leadership, or as we’re going to call them, “people worth watching.”
In this episode, we are in the fourth and final episode of a series called "Living the Joy-Filled Life." As we conclude today, our focus in Philippians 4 will be primarily on the life of our minds—what we think about, how we think about it, and more.
In today's episode, we are in part three of our series "Living the Joy-filled Life" and we're going to talk about goals, and specifically how the specific goals we strive after in life can either enhance or frustrate our experience of joy.
In today's episode, we are continuing in part two of a four-part series called Living the Joy-Filled Life. Over these four episodes, we are walking chapter by chapter through Paul’s letter to the Philippians. As we introduced on our last episode, the overarching theme of this letter is joy and specifically, joy in Jesus, even when we find ourselves in very difficult circumstances. We’re going to talk a lot today about humility, and how humility before God and others surprisingly contributes to joy, both ours and theirs.
In today's episode, we are kicking off a brand new, four-part series called "Living the Joy-Filled Life." Over our next four episodes, we’ll be walking chapter by chapter through Paul’s letter to the Philippians. As the title of this series indicates, the overarching theme of this letter is joy- and specifically, joy in Jesus, even amid less-than-ideal circumstances. This is a powerful little letter with so much to teach us as both disciples of Jesus and leaders of others, and we can’t wait to dive into it with you.
In today's episode, we conclude our series “In the Company of Jesus” by looking one final time at Jesus’ life and asking perhaps the most important question we must all answer: What shall I do with Jesus?
In today's episode, we continue our series, “In the Company of Jesus,” by examining Jesus’ life, specifically focusing on how his death and resurrection changed everything for us, as it proves that He was the Son of God.
In today's episode, we continue our “In the Company of Jesus” series as we prepare to celebrate Easter! Easter does not just happen once a year; Easter is celebrated every time we gather together and proclaim the resurrection of Jesus. Today, we will look at an aspect of Jesus that we may not have considered before, but I promise you that if we pay attention, we can apply what we learn about Jesus as the disarming and authentic friend to how we view all our other friendships.
In today's episode, we continue to prepare our hearts for Easter while taking another look at Jesus. The series we are in is called “In the Company of Jesus,” and today, we will examine how Jesus embraces us with his love.
In today's episode, we are preparing our hearts and minds for Easter by kicking off a new series called “In the Company of Jesus.” In this series, we will look at Jesus in ways that you may not have explored before, or perhaps you have related to Jesus in this way previously, but it has been a minute. Our goal throughout this series is to have a new and fresh encounter with Jesus because when we do, it adds depth and texture to our relationship with Him. The first area that we want to explore is Jesus as a provocative teacher.
In today's episode, we are wrapping up a series on mental health called “State of Mind.” During this series we have tried to address head-on the rise in instances of mental health challenges that we are all facing and how we can deal with them in healthy and biblical informed ways, so we have invited someone to come and have a conversation with us about three of the most prominent issues we often face when it comes to our mental health.
In today's episode, we are continuing our series on Mental Health called “State of Mind." In our last episode, we talked about the stigma that often comes from admitting that you are struggling with your mental health as a believer and what we can do to begin to admit that it is “OK to be not OK." Today we want to turn our attention to the topic of trauma as events that we experience in our life are often the source of many mental health struggles. The challenge often lies in believers processing it in a healthy way.
Today, we are celebrating our 100th podcast episode by kicking off a new 3-part series on Mental Health. The series is called “State of Mind” and it’s based on our Spring Campaign Sermon Series at Parkway Fellowship of the same name.
Recent studies have determined that 1 in 4 people will experience or come into contact with someone who is experiencing a mental health challenge in their life. When a believer experiences a mental health challenge, 25% of the time they will share their mental health challenge with a pastor or small group leader first. Also, in recent years, the church has struggled with responding to this challenge and has often thrown up its arms as it struggles with responding. So we are going to wade into this topic by starting with the statement that will guide our conversation today, “It’s Ok, not to be OK.”
Today, we are wrapping up our first series of the new year, one that we are calling "Leader
Check-In." Up to this point, we’ve explored our spiritual health and evaluated our emotional health, and today, we’re diving into another crucial component of our lives, and it won’t surprise you to hear us that effective leadership is simply impossible apart from healthy relationships, so what should we be looking for as we critically consider our connections with the people around us, not only in our groups but in every area of our lives?
In this short episode, we give you an update on the delay in getting our content uploaded as well as a preview of some new things to come.
Today, we are continuing with the second episode in our first series of the new year, a three-part series called "Leader Check-ins." Our goal for this series is to help you evaluate and invest intentionally in several aspects of your health as a leader so that you can lead others and, as we’ll discuss today, how to lead yourself too for the long haul.
Today, we are kicking off a brand new year and series called Leader Check-ins. It's the beginning of the year, and for many of us, our health is at the top of our minds. But this focus shouldn’t be limited to our physical health alone; we also need to evaluate and invest intentionally in our health as leaders to lead others well for the long haul, beginning with our Spiritual Health
In today's episode, we are wrapping up the year with one more conversation around the theme of "The Leader's Toolbox." This is part three of the series, and today, we are discussing something that we all know we need to get better at, but it is especially the case when it comes to leading a small group. It's the topic of communication, and today, we are going to be walking through how to create a communication plan for your group.
In today's episode, we are in the second episode of our series, "The Leader's Toolbox." We have done this series for the last several years, where we get very practical and tactical on issues that every leader must address and master in due time. Today's episode is one that was suggested to me by my team and it's an issue that we all have dealt with at one time or another as leaders. It's the issue of "How do I Respond to People who Sign Up but Don't Show Up."
In today's episode, we are kicking off a new series that has been a repeat for us for the last couple of years. It's called "The Leader's Toolbox," and we are once again going to get really practical and tactical by diving into three topics that every group leader needs to gain proficiency around, starting with our first topic of responding to care needs.
In this episode, we are wrapping up our series "The Right Stuff—3 Qualities of an Engaged Small Group Leader" with a conversation about transparency. We do a disservice to the people we love and lead when we try to pretend that everything is OK when we know that it is not. This is going to be our topic today.
In this episode, we continue our series "The Right Stuff—3 Qualities of Engaged Small Group Leaders" by looking at the second characteristic of engaged small group leaders: the ability to be welcoming. As the saying goes, "You never get a second chance to make a first impression," which is why it is so important to develop into a welcoming leader from the start.
In this episode, we are kicking off a new series we are calling "The Right Stuff—3 Qualities of an Engaged Small Group Leader." Over the next several episodes, we will discuss qualities that are vital to success as a small group leader, starting with our first quality: being a curious listener.
In today's episode, we are concluding our series "Adventures in Missing the Point" with one last conversation around a topic that is probably the epitome of this series. The topic is Spiritual Gifts, and joining us for this conversation is Dr. Israel Steinmetz. He is currently the Academic Dean and on the Faculty of the Bible Seminary located right here in Katy, TX.
In today's episode, we are continuing our series called “Adventures in Missing the Point” where we have been looking at topics in ministry where we are prone to get so focused on the details that we miss the point. When it comes to this issue, In particular, we definitely have missed the trees for the forest. What issue would that be? It’s the topic of women in ministry, which has been in the news a lot recently. Today, we are going to see how we can approach this topic and not get lost in the details. Joining us for this conversation is Tyler Moffat. Tyler serves as the Associate Teaching Pastor at Grace Fellowship in Katy, TX.
In today's episode, we are kicking off a new series called "Adventures in Missing the Point." During this series, we are going to look at three issues in the church today that we are prone to get so caught up in the details that we miss the point! Also, these three topics are where we have some of our sharpest disagreements, hence the problem of getting so lost in the details that we lose or forget the mission. Joining us for this conversation is Will Tucker, who currently serves as the Executive Director of the Vine Uganda, but prior to that, he was the Small Groups Pastor at Parkway Fellowship for seven years.
In today's episode, we conclude our walk through the Book of James by looking for "Practical Wisdom for Today" one last time. To help us do that, we welcome Andrew Trausch, who currently serves as the Young Adult & Missions Pastor at Parkway Fellowship.
In today's episode, we are continuing our journey through the book of James. We have been talking about "Practical Wisdom for Today," which is the title of the series we are currently in. Conflict is our topic today, as James chapter 4 is all about how we need to adopt an attitude of surrender so that we can begin to approach conflict with peace. Joining us on this episode is Greg Hutton, who currently serves as the Connections Coordinator at our North Katy Location, where he oversees all of Sunday morning volunteers.
In today's episode, we continue our series "Practical Wisdom for Today" and are in chapter 3 of James. This chapter is all about our speech and the way that we talk to each other. To help us dig deeper into this chapter, our guest today is no stranger to this podcast. His name is Will Tucker and he is the former co-host of this program.
In today's episode, we continue our series "Practical Wisdom for Today" by diving into James chapter two. While chapter one of James is about remaining confident in the face of trials and opposition, chapter two is about serving others with compassion. Our guest on this episode is Jason Sanders, and we take a deeper look at who and how God has called us to serve others.
In today's episode, we are kicking off a new series called “Practical Wisdom for Today." Over the next five episodes, we will do a deeper dive into the book of James. Along with being filled with practical wisdom, James is also a very convicting book that calls believers out on several issues. We welcome Joe Garcia to the podcast to help start unpacking the first chapter of James.
On today’s episode, we are going to be concluding our series “Perspectives” by talking about gaining perspective from making shifts in your career and vocation when your are called by God to pivot in a completely different direction. Our guest today is Tisha Rich.
On today’s episode, we are going to be continuing our series “perspectives” by having a conversation with someone who did not become a Christ-followers until her early 30’s and she brings the unique perspective of coming to faith later in her life to this conversation. Our guest today s Wendy McCarthy.
Today, we are kicking off a new year with a brand new series called “Perspectives” and the goal of this series is to sit down and have conversations with people who look at their faith differently than we do, who approach their faith by looking through a different set of lenses than we do, so that we can all see in a more clear and complete way. Our guest today is Doly Contreras.
In today's episode, our hosts wrap up the "WHY of Groups" series by discussing how you can use you WHY to help you stay focused as a leader and eliminate distractions.
In today's episode, our hosts dive further into the WHY of groups by discussing how your WHY fits into the overall mission and structure of the church.
In today's episode, we are kicking off a brand new year with a new series called "the WHY of Groups" where our hosts are going to be discussing the purpose or WHY behind groups.
Brian also welcomes a new co-host to the podcast.
In today's episode, we are we not only wrapping up our series “The Leader’s Toolbox,” but we are also wrapping up 2023 on the podcast! What a great year it has been and we could not think of a better way to wrap up a practical series like this then by talking about how to stay connected during times like the holiday’s when it can be several weeks between meetings and seeing one another.
In today's episode, we are we continuing our series called “The Leader’s Toolbox” by diving into a topic that we have had to do a lot of coaching on this year. It’s the topic of managing conflict and while we are happy to coach leaders through this when it comes up, it’s an area that we ALL can learn to get better at.
In today's episode, we are we kicking off a new series called “The Leader’s Toolbox” and the goal is to give our leaders a new “tool” for their toolbox every year. Today we are going to be talking about asking better questions.
In today's episode, we are we are wrapping up our series "Commanded to Love" by talking about the second part of Jesus’s response to the question of the ‘greatest commandment.’ Jesus said the second command is like the first as we are to love our neighbor as our self.
In today's episode, we are once again going to be looking at the command that Jesus gives us in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark & Luke to a question he was asked about the “greatest commandment.” The third part of that answer we find is the command to love God with our minds and there is a bit a controversy around what Jesus was actually saying because he takes some liberty with the original source.
In today's episode, we are continuing the series "Commanded to Love" and we are looking at the ways that Jesus calls us to love God and others. Last episode we talked about loving God with our minds, today we are talking about loving God with our souls.
In today's episode, Today, we are we are kicking off a new series and was a very late addition to our planning for the year, but I hope that it is one that you will enjoy. The series is called "Commanded to Love" we are going to be looking at the four ways that we are commanded by Jesus to love starting with our hearts.
In today's episode, we are concluding our series “Not in it to Win it” by having a conversation with someone who has lived in the crossroads of politics and his faith. His name is Aaron Groff and he is the mayor of Fulshear, TX.
In today's episode, Today, we are continuing our series “Not in it to Win it” by looking at some way that we can move this conversation forward in some tangible ways.
In today's episode, Today, we are continuing our series “Not in it to Win it” by looking at the arc of history when it comes to our faith and politics going all the way back to the time of the New Testament. One of the things that we are going to discover is that our history when it comes to politics is not that much different from the people we read about in bible.
In today's episode, we are kicking off a new series called “Not in it to Win it” and it’s based on a book of the same title by Andy Stanley. We are about to start another election season cycle and this series is all about how as Christians are never suppose to take sides, but we are instead to rise above politics and lead with clarity, boldness, grace and love.
In today's episode, we are wrapping up this series by having one more conversation with a leader who is "Leading in Both Worlds" and I think you will find their story to be one that we can all relate to because at one point in our life, we have all been where this leader is. Our guest today is Mark Lively.
In today's episode, we are continuing our series "Leading in Both Worlds" by having a conversation w/ Mark Magee
In today's episode, we are kicking off a new series called "Leading in Both Worlds." During this series we are going to be interviewing small group leaders who are also business leaders and what it looks like to lead in both worlds. Our guest today is Michael Turnbow
In today's episode, we are concluding our series "what does the Bible say..." by having a conversation with someone who not only is way smarter than Will or I, but also owns a lot more bow ties, and plays a mean guitar! To help us talk about what the Bible says about alcohol we have invited Dr. John Dunne from Bethel Seminary to be our guest today.
In today's episode, we are in part four of our series "What does the Bible say..." and if you joined us last episode we talked about gambling which is all about the ways that we can be unwise with what we do with our money. Today we want to look at the opposite of that idea and look at what the Bible has to say about tithing.
In today's episode, we are in part three of our series "What Does the Bible Say..." The topic is gambling and the relative ease with which it has become apart of our culture, does the Bible have anything to say about gambling?
In today's episode, we are in part two of our series "What Does the Bible Say..." and our topic is Angels.
In today episode, we are kicking off a new series called "What Does the Bible Say..." The idea for this series came from a sermon series that we did earlier this year where our Senior Pastor was doing some Google Research and typed in "What does the Bible say..." into Google and topics that we preached on where the top "hits" from this search. We did the same thing but, decided to pick topics that we thought sounded interesting and we have had questions about ourselves. Starting with today's topic---Halloween.
Today, we are concluding our series "Next Man Up" where we have been looking at ways for leaders to identify and begin to prepare the next generation of Small Group leaders. To help us put a bow on the end of this series, our guest today is Dr Scott Stripling.
In today's episode, we are continuing our series called "Next Man Up" by having conversation with someone on our staff who is experiencing what leadership development looks like on a daily basis. Logan Thomas is our guest and we talk about the ICNU of leadership recruitment.
In today's episode, Today, we are kicking off a brand new series called, "Next Man Up" where we are going to be talking about raising up and preparing the next generation of leaders. Our discussion today will focus on the heart behind the desire to develop the next generation of leaders.
In today's episode, we are also wrapping up our series "Partners" by having a conversation with Chris Barnes. Chris and his family attend our North Katy location where he leads a small group that is all about completing various service projects in our community and beyond.
In today's episode, we are in part three of our series called "Partners" and are having a conversation with Bec Blakemore about Feed the Hunger and the event they sponsor called the "pack a thon."
In today's episode, we are in part two of our series called "Partners" were we interviewing some of our mission partners that we financial support through our Christmas offering most of these organizations we have chosen specifically because they are great ways for groups to serve together. Our guests today are David & Ruhamah Rylander who founded and oversee a ministry called Keturah’s Haven
In today episode, we are also kicking off a brand new series called "Partners" where we are going to be interviewing a number of our mission partners that we financial support through our Christmas offering. Our first partner is the Smilin Rylen Foundation and their founders Kristen & Travis Cowan
In today's episode, we are continuing our series “How To” by talking about serving together as a Small Group.
In today's episode we are kicking off a brand new series by getting super practical. So over the next three weeks we are going to be having some conversations around the idea of “How to” starting with today’s topic: How to Celebrate and Have Fun.
In today's episode, we concluding the “Parkway Cares” series by visiting with Chevonne Adesanya who leads both our Divorce Care and Grief Share Ministries. Highlights of the episode include:
- How God can equip you even when you don't think you are qualified
- What not to say to people who are grieving
- What lessons we can learn from people in different circumstances, but are in need of our care and support
In today's episode we will be continuing our “Parkway Cares” series by having a conversation with David & Rhonda Smith. God has impressed upon them the call and passion to minister to whose who are struggling with addictions to pornography and the effects that it has on their marriage and family. Highlights of the episode include: - the effect addictions can have on families - the damage that an addiction can have on women - the need for emotional exercise - how to refer someone who is struggling with an addiction to pornography
In today's episode we are kicking off a brand new series called "Parkway Cares" by interviewing Gary & Nancy Rose who lead our recovery groups at Parkway. Highlights of this episode include: - how to provide care by how you lead - building a culture of vulnerability - why all of us could benefit from being in recovery
In today's episode, we are concluding our “Behind the Microphones” series by turning the microphone around on my co-host Will Tucker and asking him to talk about his experience leading a small group.
In today's episode, we are continuing our series “Behind the Microphones” by having another conversation with Heath Pressley who you often see on stage with a microphone speaking to you and today we get to turn the microphone around and ask him the questions.
In today's episode, we are continuing our series “Behind the Microphone” by having another conversation with someone who is often seen around Parkway speaking into a microphone, but we turn the microphone around on John Alexander ask him some questions about his small group.
In today's episode, we are kicking off a new series called “Behind the Microphones” and during this series we are going to be turning the microphone around and asking some of the people who you see on stage with a microphone to talk into a microphone while answering our questions about their small group.
In today's episode, we are wrapping up our series "Leadership Lessons from the life of Nehemiah" by looking at the last of 4 keys when it comes to vision casting--the completion of vision.
In today's episode, Brian and Will are in part 3 of our series "Leadership Lessons from the life of Nehemiah" and they discuss how to execute your vision
In today's episode, Brian & Will are continuing our series "Leadership Lessons from the life of Nehemiah" by looking at some of the elements that go into the casting of a compelling vision
In today's episode Brian & I are kicking off a new series called "Leadership Lessons from the life of Nehemiah" by highlighting some of the lesson that we can learn when it comes to formulating and casting vision. Highlights of this episode include: - How to hear from God - Why patience is key to moving ahead with your plans - What to do as you wait to hear from God - Why surrounding yourself with the right people is crucial for formulating your vision
In today's episode, Brian & Will are wrapping up the "it's Personal Series" by talking about the personal spiritual discipline of Silence & Solitude with Andrea Portilla. Highlights of this episode include: - The importance of carving out time to practice this discipline - Why you can't really lead anything for God, if you are not regularly spending time with Him - Practical ways to practice the discipline of silence - The example of Jesus and how He practiced silence & solitude
In today's episode, Brian & Will talk with Becca Bowman about how to 'live a life of worship.' Highlight of this episode include: - What does personal worship look like? - What worship in the OT looked like? - A History of Worship styles and changes to it's form through the years - Ways to incorporate worship into your Small Group meeting time - Developing a heart for worship
In today's episode, Brian & Will are continuing the “It’s Personal” series by talking about another personal spiritual discipline—Bible Reading.
In today's episode, Brian & Will are kicking off a brand new series called “It’s Personal.” In this series we be taking a look at some of the personal spiritual disciplines we are called on to practice in our lives beginning with today's topic: Prayer
In today's episode, Brian & Will are concluding our series “Shaped by the Resurrection” by looking at how we can have hope in the midst of difficulties & suffering.
In today's episode, Brian & Will are continuing our series “Shaped by the Resurrection.” by looking at the idea of justice and often how our pursuit of it is in opposition to what God says in his word and to what Jesus did on the cross.
In today's episode, Brian & Will we are continuing our series “Shaped by the Resurrection” by looking at how the resurrection shapes our relationships.
In today's episode, Brian & Will kick off a brand new series called “Shaped by the Resurrection” by talking about the emotion of fear and how the resurrection can free us feeling it.
In today episode, we are concluding our series "Small Group Gurus" with Brian having a conversation with the small group guru or small group gurus Mark Howell
In today's Episode Brian and guest co-host Brianne, are continuing our series “Small Group Gurus” by having a conversation with another leading voice in the Small Group world and also a fellow podcaster, Chris Surratt.
In today's episode, Will & Brian we are kicking off a new series called “Small Group Gurus” by having a conversation with Steve Gladen
In todays episode, Will & Brian welcome Small Group Leader and Superfan James West to the podcast as they look back on the first 19 episodes.
In today episode, Will & Brian welcome two of their friends and co-workers at Parkway to have a conversation about media and how we can better understand & utilize it as Christ-followers.
In this episode, Will & Brian conclude the "Caring for Elephants" series by having a conversation with David Gamboa of Elijah Rising about the issue of Human Trafficking.
In this episode, Will & Brian still down and have a a special conversation with two group leaders in our church who are also veterans.
In this episode, Will & Brian are continuing the “Caring for Elephants” series by having a conversation about the topic of Pornography and Sexual Addiction
In this episode, Brian and Will are continuing the “Caring for Elephants” series by looking at the issue of Depression and Mental Health by having a conversation with Adam Jungeblut.
In this episode, Brian and Will kick off a brand new series called “Caring for Elephants”. This series will be a companion to two sermon series we did at Parkway called "The Elephant in the Church". The purpose of these series was to talk about certain topics that we don’t usually talk about in church (I.e. the elephant in the room) that everyone knows is there and yet we don’t want to talk about it.
In this episode, Brian and Will wrap up our series "Back to Group" by talking about the topic of purpose.
In this episode, Brian and Will continue the "Back to Group" series by talking about topic of planning.
In this episode, Brian & Will kick off a new series called "Back to Group" by looking at three things that leaders can be doing to get ready to restart their groups in the fall. The first one is prayer.
In this episode, Brian and Will conclude the "Art of Neighboring" series by having a conversation with Tom Kelley. Tom has been practicing the art of neighboring for a long time and he is going to share what that looks like in his life and his heart behind it.
In this episode, Brian and Will continue the conversation on 'The Art of Neighboring' by talking with Dave Runyon who is one of the authors of the book "The Art of Neighboring."
In this episode, Brian and Will continue the conversation on 'The Art of Neighboring' by talking about how to sustain and deepen the relationships that you establish through neighboring.
In this episode, Brian and Will kick off a new series called "neighboring" by looking at how to build relationships with the people right outside our doors.
In this episode, Brian and Will close out the "Thriving Groups" series by having a conversation with Jason Sniff who is one of the authors of the book "Leading Small Groups that Thrive" and was the inspiration for the podcast.
In this episode, Brian & Will talk about how to engage in difficult conversations which have the potential to destroy your group if done poorly, but if they are engaged in correctly, have the potential to be catalytic and very powerful.
In this episode, Brian and Will talk about one of the most important skills in a leaders toolbox—asking questions.
In this episode, Brian and Will discuss something that we all struggle with as leaders—how to create shared ownership so that it becomes not just MY group, but OUR group.
In this episode, Brian and Will look at one of the most important roles of a group leader. It’s a role that can be delegated or relinquished, but far too often it is and that creates problems for the group from the get-go.
In this episode, Brian & Will tell the story of how they came up with the idea to start a podcast and what the goal of the Growing Leaders Thriving Groups podcast is.
In this episode , Brian & Will are looking at the first of 5 shifts that leaders need to make in order to take your group to the next level.