The last five days have provided a rich lesson on leadership. Almost immediately after the passing of George H.W. Bush on Friday, November 30, I started noticing the words being used by people who knew him best to describe him. So I started jotting them down. Here’s my list: dignity, integrity character, humility, goodness, honor, courage, respect, dedicated, friend, kindness, …

Reader, forgive me. It’s been 7 months since my last blog post. (If you grew up Catholic, as I did, I’m sure that first line has a familiar ring to it.) So . . . where have I been? As I wrote in a blog post back in June 2017, I became editor of Christian Standard magazine a little more …

I am privileged to lead the Small Group Leader Summit Saturday, January 20, from 9 AM to noon. The event will be held at First Church, Burlington, Kentucky, 6080 Camp Ernst Road, in Burlington, Kentucky 41005. SESSION 1: “Things Every Small Group Leader Needs to Know”: I will focus this session on how to avoid leader burnout, toward which small …

Years ago, as a new Christian, I was thrust into ministry quickly. At the time I didn’t understand surrender, so I tried to lead by my own power. I learned very quickly about God’s power being made perfect in my weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). I got really good at making God’s power perfect! He used me even though I had …

Life to the full, the abundant life, more and better life than you’ve ever dreamed of, everything you need. These are the ways different Bible versions say the same thing. You cannot lead a small group to experience the fullness of God’s love and grace unless you are experiencing it yourself. In Matthew 11:28-30, Jesus presents three ways to respond …

Leading a small group (or anything else in the church) comes out of an assignment or appointment from God. This is critical and foundational to Christian leadership. When someone recruits you to a job that you are not called to, it’s easy to throw in the towel when the going gets tough. Are you a small group leader because someone …

I just sent a quick email to our list of Small Group Leadership email subscribers, letting them know our special discounts on purchases of World’s Greatest Small Group end today, August 31, 2017, and immediately, a small group ministry director at a church emailed me: “Boy, the summer has flown by. Thank you for reminding everyone to take advantage of …

Let’s make sure we’re on the same page right from the beginning. Perhaps it will help to start by looking at some potential small group leaders to show what a small group leader is not. Hannah Hostess: A true small group leader is (or is becoming) more than a host or hostess who opens up his or her home to …

Janet Branham, director of small groups at Ward Church (Northville, Michigan), recently wrote to tell us how using World’s Greatest Small Group (WGSG) as a training tool for her small group leaders has benefited everyone involved: “I wanted to do something to encourage my leaders; I thought this might be some good summer reading for [them]. I also like the …

Between now and August 31, you can take advantage of discount prices when you purchase World’s Greatest Small Group for your small group leaders. 25% off when you buy 1-19 copies. 40% off when you buy 20+ copies. Go here for more details. Michael Keaton – Small Groups Pastor, Crossroads Church, Newnan, Georgia – is using World’s Greatest Small Group …