What is your small group’s plan for this Christmas season? Many groups struggle with meeting and studying over the holidays, and this can be detrimental to the health of your group. Not only that, but this is a prime time of the year to help your group members grow in their faith as well as to reach out to and …

What are the purposes of vision and mission statements? Are they important? Should a small group have vision and mission statements? I’ll answer those questions in a moment. But first I’d like to share a series of mission-related tweets I posted a couple days ago: All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore stay on …

Here are last week’s Small Group Leader TIPS as Tweeted, posted on our Small Group Leadership Facebook page, and posted on LinkedIn. *     *     *     *     *     *     *   Monday, 6/20: Often the best way to disciple ppl is to get them out of their comfort zones for Jesus. #countthecost Tuesday, 6/21: One of the best ways to build …

I recently read a tweet and blog post that assumes an either-or viewpoint toward small groups. You must choose, the author says, between being an open, outward-focused, welcoming, numerically growing group (or class) and living in authentic, accountable, abiding community. You can’t have it both ways. This often-repeated reasoning emerges from the idea that if a group desires to grow …

Here are last week’s Small Group Leader TIPS as Tweeted, posted on the Small Group Leadership Facebook page, and posted on LinkedIn. This Week’s Theme: Small Group Life this #Summer *     *     *     *     *     *     * Monday, 5/23: Do not give up meeting together this #summer. Plan now. Be flexible. Be intentional. Tuesday, 5/24: Use calendar to block off …

Small Group Leadership TIPS of the past week as Tweeted, posted on the Small Group Leadership Facebook page, and posted on LinkedIn. *     *     *     *     *     *     *   This week’s Small Group Leader TIPS focus on ideas for building authentic community. Monday, 3/7: Small Group Sleepover – Spend the night together at someone’s house, playing games, talking, etc. …

Small Group Leadership TIPS of the past week as Tweeted, posted on the Small Group Leadership Facebook page, and posted on LinkedIn. *     *     *     *     *     *     * Monday, 2/22: Simple yet powerful. DDIY. Don’t Do It Yourself. Lead w/ God and share leadership with others. #DDIY Tuesday, 2/23: What got your small group here won’t get you there. Don’t …

Yesterday I wrote about what leaders really need from us as leaders of leaders. Today, let’s get more practical. What do leaders really need? I developed a simple acrostic to help me and other leaders of leaders remember what is really important. It’s the responsibility of every leader of leaders—whether that’s a pastor, other ministry staff person, or volunteer coach—to …

This is Day 5 of my 7 ideas your group, class, or family can use to celebrate Christmas. See 1-4 here. For most of us, the holidays are about traditions: taking a drive to see the lights, decorating the house together, going to local events, and, of course, going to church services. Why not invite those from your group or …

This is Day 4 of my 7 ideas your group or class or family can use to celebrate Christmas. See 1-3 here. Years ago, I read +Dick Alexander’s sage advice about gift giving that I’ve never forgotten. “Gifts are an integral part of Christmas,” he said, “but they can either express or distort its meaning.” He suggested limiting our gift …