Michael Mack

Written by Michael Mack

Michael Mack has been involved in small group ministry as a pastor, writer, trainer, and speaker for more than 25 years. He founded SmallGroups.com in 1995 and started Small Group Leadership in 2012. He became the 12th editor of Christian Standard magazine in 2017 and continues to speak in churches about small groups, discipleship, and leadership. He lives in Pewee Valley, Kentucky (just outside Louisville), with his wife Heidi. They have four young adult children. Michael enjoys mountain and road biking with a group of friends. See the "About Michael Mack" page under About Us for more about him.

Spiritual Life

A Weary World Rejoices

Michael MackDecember 25, 2022December 25, 2022Leave a comment

A weary world can rejoice because Jesus is our Immanuel, Savior, and burden-bearer.

Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. -Psalm 37:4

Delight, Desires, and Decisions

Michael MackNovember 20, 2022March 5, 2023Leave a comment

Our first priority is to delight in the Lord. It is not to seek the desires of our heart.

Facilitating Discussion, Spiritual Life

Thanksgiving Discussion Starters

Michael MackNovember 14, 2022November 15, 20221 Comment

Ask the people you see throughout the week these simple questions to start what could be a life-changing discussion!

Curriculum, Facilitating Discussion, Training SG Leaders

Is Your Group Bible Study Biblical? Part 1: Important Questions

Michael MackNovember 13, 2022November 13, 20221 Comment

How do you make sure the group Bible study you are leading is—well, biblical? How can you assure, as much as possible, your group discussion goes in the direction of biblical truth?

Community

The (Debatable) Meaning of Koinonia in the New Testament Church . . . and the Important Implications for Today

Michael MackOctober 30, 2022November 1, 20221 Comment

In true biblical community, we share not only financial resources and food, but much more. As we gather in biblical community, we share God's love, grace, joy, peace, wisdom, and more with one another.

Church Leadership, External-Focus

Is Your Body Physically Fit?

Michael MackOctober 15, 2022October 15, 20221 Comment

A healthy body is a moving body. It is built by Christ for his mission, which starts with "Go"! We weren't built to merely congregate or assemble.

SG Coaching

10 Recommended Books for Small Group Coaches

Michael MackOctober 14, 2022October 14, 2022Leave a comment

I recently asked some of my small group ministry friends for their recommendations for small group coaching books. The first five are their recommendations, followed by five I regularly recommend.

Spiritual Life

Life to the Full with a Broken Patella

Michael MackOctober 10, 2022October 10, 2022Leave a comment

One year ago today, October 10, 2021, I fell mountain biking in Brown County Indiana, and fractured my kneecap. To summarize, over the last year, I've had three knee surgeries, a severe infection following surgery #1, six weeks of intravenous...

Discipling

The Power of Authenticity

Michael MackOctober 6, 2022October 2, 2022Leave a comment

When I was about 10 years old, I made friends with two brothers in my neighborhood, Tim and Jeff Ward. Perhaps because I didn’t have a brother living at home, or just for fun, I told them I had a...