Today I thought I’d share what a few ministry friends are saying about my newest book, Small Group Vital Signs. These recommendations come from LinkedIn, off the Small Group Leadership Products page for the book. Thanks, guys!
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I’m blessed to have partnered with many people over the years who have in one way or another shaped my thinking about small groups, community, discipleship, and ministry. I’ve been to the same conferences with many of them, been a part of the same teams and networks, and hung out together over dinner just talking life. I’ve read many of their books, articles, blogs, Facebook posts, and tweets, and perhaps they’ve read some of mine. That’s one of the things I love about small groups ministry: the community of people who are gurus, advocates, cheerleaders, trainers and teachers. We don’t always agree with one another, but we’re definitely all on the same team!
Today, I’m sharing some words from just a few of them about my book, Small Group Vital Signs.
Last April I had the privilege to lead a main session on small groups assessments at the Cincinnati Christian University Small Groups Conference. The theme of the conference was “Healthy Groups = Healthy Churches / Develop Your Growing Community.” My friend and partner in ministry David Roadcup spearheaded this conference. Here’s what David had to say about Small Group Vital Signs:
David is the Executive Director of the Center for Church Advancement and a professor at Cincinnati Christian University. I’ve had the honor of working with him on the planning committee for CCU’s Small Groups Conference. He is a man who has a passion for discipleship and he doesn’t just talk about it, it’s obviously a part of his lifestyle.
David has been in ministry for more than 42 years. Besides youth ministries, senior/preaching ministries, and college/seminary teaching through the years, Dr. Roadcup has authored numerous articles and books. He has spoken in 37 states and 5 foreign countries. As one of the founding members of the men’s ministry – Promise Keepers – he served on the Board of Directors for 11 years. In 2001, he was on the summer P.K. Men’s Conference Speaking Team. In addition to his wide-spread ministry to the Church and teaching classes at CCU, he is presently on the Board of Directors of Christ in Youth in Joplin, Missouri (C.I.Y.), the Board of Directors of Christian Arabic Services (C.A.S.), and is chairman of the board for SALT Ministries. He has been married to Karen for 40 years. Dave and Karen have two daughters, one son-in-law and three grandchildren. Dave’s great passion is discipling believers and helping Christians grow to deeper levels in their personal walk with Jesus Christ.
David has co-authored a series of books about church leadership that are especially useful for elders: Answer His Call, Reflect His Character, Lead His Church, and Enjoy His People. He also has helped produce a digital curriculum from e2: effective elders called “What Every Elder Should Know!” See David’s Author Page on Amazon for other books he has written or co-written.
I’m excited to see that churches, groups, and individuals are not only reading Small Group Vital Signs but actually starting to use it in their ministries. I’ve had the opportunity to talk through it with a college class studying small groups as well as a group of small group ministers in Central Ohio. Today, I’m sharing the words of one of the coolest guys on the planet and someone who really knows about small groups, Reid Smith:
Reid Smith is Director of Adult Ministries at the 20,000 member multi-site Christ Fellowship Church in Palm Beach, Florida. He is a regular contributing author to smallgroups.com and rightnowtraining.com through his small group training and resource ministry called 2orMore.
Reid is also on Twitter and Facebook. I love reading Reid’s blog. He challenges my thinking about discipleship, small groups, and community. Be sure to add Reid to your people to follow. I promise you’ll learn from him!
Like any practical book, Alan’s includes an assessment–one to assess the leadership styles of people on your team or in your group.
When I first thought about who I’d like to write the foreword for Small Group Vital Signs, I immediately thought of Rick Howerton. Rick has a passion for Biblical community, understands what makes a small group healthy, and is one of my favorite writers on the topic of groups. I knew that when he read my book he’d “get it.” Here’s his foreword:
I am awestruck by Mike’s ability to take us to the right places. I know they are the right places because Mike has been on the journey himself and is simply showing us where to tread.
As I made my way through this astoundingly insightful read, I found myself questioning so many aspects of group life that I have embraced and taught on over the years. I wondered if I helped groups to depend enough on the power of the Holy Spirit, the presence of Christ, and the strength of God the Father. I pondered how many small group ministries are over the top when it comes to teaching techniques, but lacking in helping small group leaders and coaches determine when to set aside “the right thing to do” with “the right way to think.” I questioned the discipleship models I have so often espoused and asked myself if they were the way Jesus discipled His followers. I even asked myself this question: “Did the small group movement deteriorate and embrace principles and practices birthed in a psychology class while setting aside principles and practices birthed in the heart of God and revealed in His Word?”
Most small group books tell you why, how, or what the author has done or is doing in his church. While reading these books, I thought, “You told me why, now tell me how” … or “You told me how, now tell me why” … or “You told me what you are doing, but will it work in any setting with any demographic?” One of the most refreshing things about this book is that Mike puts all three of the puzzle pieces in place. But most importantly, everything—and I do mean everything—is proven true via Scripture. And when Scripture speaks, the principles and practices are universal.
As you use the health assessment and then read this book, my prayer is that you set aside past paradigms to consider what I see as the heart of this book: God will do something amazing in the life of any group that gives Him room to do so.
Mike, thank you for taking your time to give the small group world a resource that will help us see a biblical small group within walking distance of every person on the planet.
Rick Howerton was Global Small Group Environmentalist for NavPress and author of A Different Kind of Tribe: Embracing the New Small Group Dynamic, which will be available June 2012 from NavPress. Rick has been a small group pastor and senior pastor. In 2003 Rick planted The Bridge, a church built around healthy small groups. I love Rick’s vision: “A Biblical Small Group Within Walking Distance of Every Person on the Planet.”
Rick is also the author of several group guides.
This is installment 10 of a series of posts in which friends and small groups ministry partners share their thoughts on Small Group Vital Signs. Today, Brian Jones:
Thanks, Brian, for your partnership in ministry over the years. And thanks for your kind words about Small Group Vital Signs.
Click the images below to find our more about Brian’s books:
We’re moving closer and closer to the release of Small Group Vital Signs. Today is our ninth installment of a series sharing what some of my friends and ministry partners are saying about the book. Today, my friend Boyd Pelley:
I visited Saddleback Church a number of years ago and felt overwhelmed, not just by the enormity of the place and the number of people, but also by the quality of everything they did. I was greeted in the parking lot by warm, friendly, Hawaiian-shirt clad folks in the parking lot and along the sidewalks leading up to the building. Once inside, I found it easy to find my way and find out more about the church. It was impossible to miss the fact that small groups were a major part of this church’s life. I saw it at a kiosk set up outside the building and in the foyer, and heard it several times in the service, especially from Rick Warren.That day I just happened to run into Brett Eastman, and spent some time talking about small groups and ministry.
I’ve followed Saddleback and their small group story for many years and have learned a lot from them. I’m currently part of the PurposeDriven Small Group Network, a great place to build relationships with other small groups point people and share ideas. Today, one of Saddleback’s area small groups pastors shares his thoughts on Small Group Vital Signs:
I’m extremely grateful to Randy. As a guy who has been in the ministry trenches day in and day out for many years, I appreciate his positive feedback on the book. Thanks, Randy!
