http://smallgroups.com en-us http://smallgroups.com N/A bryan@upstateimage.com Fri, 29 Aug 2008 23:49:46 -0400 20 http://smallgroups.com/articles/1546/1/Benchmarking_Small_Groups.html Definition: Benchmarking is a tool used to measure or compare your work or process with others doing the same thing. Benchmarking is a powerful tool because it overcomes "paradigm blindness." Paradigm Blindness can be summed up as the mode of thinking that says, "The way we do it is the best because this is the way we've always done it." - wikipedia.org dlentz@smallgroups.com (Dan Lentz) Thu, 06 Dec 2007 00:00:00 -0500 http://smallgroups.com/articles/1547/1/Assessment_Tools_or_Shepherd-Leaders.html Assessment tools have become very popular in today’s church and are often being used both church-wide and in small groups. While these assessments can be useful, I have noticed a disturbing trend: these assessments have become more prevalent while, at the same time, real, biblical small group leadership has been devalued in many of our churches. micmac@smallgroups.com (Michael C. Mack) Wed, 05 Dec 2007 00:00:00 -0500 http://smallgroups.com/articles/1548/1/The_Essentials_for_Effective_Small_Group_Bible_Studies.html A small group Bible study is effective when it furthers the work of the Holy Spirit in participants’ lives. Evaluation tools can be helpful, but if you do not do anything with the assessment results, then they are really of little help. reidsmith777@msn.com (Reid Smith) Tue, 04 Dec 2007 00:00:00 -0500 http://smallgroups.com/articles/1549/1/Disciple-Making_Small_Groups_-_A_Bible_Study_for_Small_Group_Assessment.html Listed below are nine possible elements of a small group, along with a brief suggestion of how each is applied to small groups. As a group: 1. Read each Scripture passage out loud. 2. Discuss this question: "How can the teaching of this passage be lived out in a small group setting?" rlowry@crossroadschristian.com (Rick Lowry) Mon, 03 Dec 2007 00:00:00 -0500 http://smallgroups.com/articles/1550/1/Assessing_Effectiveness_of_Recovery_Groups.html The air reverberated with emotion at the conclusion of our loss recovery class. We knew lives had changed and the healing process had begun. However, other factors lay hidden that impacted our assessment. These unseen aspects in loss recovery differ from other small groups in three ways: increased confidentiality, emotional vulnerability, and facilitator transparency. The way these groups assess their effectiveness is also different. dannyvon@bellsouth.net (Danny R. Von Kanel) Sun, 02 Dec 2007 00:00:00 -0500 http://smallgroups.com/articles/1557/1/Worth_its_Weight_in_Gold.html Few things have greater potential for influencing your small group ministry than objectively reviewing the essential core functions of that ministry. Stated another way, to neglect an annual systematic and thorough review of any ministry is something akin to ministry roulette. Admit it, we’ve all been there. The fact is that things are not what they seem. To complicate matters, people are involved! jgweber@mac.com (Jeff Weber) Sat, 01 Dec 2007 00:00:00 -0500 http://smallgroups.com/articles/1551/1/Twas_the_Night_before_Small_Group.html Twas the night before small group, With so much to share, I remembered my first meeting How I’d wondered if they’d care? lps810@att.net (Lisa P. Stikeleather) Sat, 01 Dec 2007 00:00:00 -0500