http://smallgroups.com en-us http://smallgroups.com N/A bryan@upstateimage.com Fri, 05 Sep 2008 22:27:41 -0400 20 http://smallgroups.com/articles/1619/1/Sermon-Based_Small_Groups_or_Small_Group-Based_Sermons.html Many churches are developing small group curriculum or agendas based around the weekly worship service teaching.  The teaching pastor or other staff take the teaching and develop questions, video, or other tools that can be used in small groups that week. That type of system can be very effective at bringing a sense of unity to the church as a whole, and can also help small groups develop consistent healthy practices. From my own experience, and from feedback from many churches who have done sermon-based small groups, the strategy is very effective, particularly early on, but can lose its effectiveness over time. dlentz@smallgroups.com (Dan Lentz) Tue, 01 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0400 http://smallgroups.com/articles/1295/1/Starting_Over_Re-Launching_Small_Group_Ministry.html Once upon a time, someone tried to start a "small group program" in your church and it failed miserably. The whys and wherefores of the failure are irrelevant. The fact is, though, now you are stuck with the ever-present naysayers whose mantra is, "We tried that…." In spite of that, you know small groups are still the most efficient way to disciple, so you are committed to a resurrection. The question is, will you use a bulldozer or something with a bit more finesse? bill@spiritualhabits.com (Bill Tenny-Brittian) Thu, 04 Jan 2007 00:00:00 -0500 http://smallgroups.com/articles/1296/1/Restoring_Life_to_Small_Group_Ministry.html One of the greatest mistakes made by church leaders who want to reintroduce a small group ministry is that they make their first step an announcement from the pulpit. I have talked with dozens of pastors who took this well-intentioned step and it had catastrophic results because those who had a less-than-favorable experience felt disregarded, retired leadership felt dismissed and residual leadership (if any) felt disrespected. There is a critical pre-game plan that must be executed in private before going public. The life-saving practice of CPR offers a helpful pattern to follow. reidsmith777@msn.com (Reid Smith) Wed, 03 Jan 2007 00:00:00 -0500 http://smallgroups.com/articles/1297/1/Questions_to_Ask_if_You_Are_Restarting.html Here is a common scenario in small group ministry… Your church tried small groups a few years ago. It was a disaster. You know you ought to try again, but church members are resistant when they recall the previous attempt. How can you be successful this time around? rlowry@crossroadschristian.com (Rick Lowry) Tue, 02 Jan 2007 00:00:00 -0500 http://smallgroups.com/articles/1298/1/Chronic_Jump-start_Syndrome.html When small group ministry goes through a significant downturn or decline, it may become necessary to declare the ministry terminally ill and begin planning and praying for a resurrection. The resurrection may involve a total restart of the ministry. dlentz@smallgroups.com (Dan Lentz) Mon, 01 Jan 2007 00:00:00 -0500 http://smallgroups.com/articles/1232/1/Got_Small_Groups.html Interestingly enough, I do not know of one church that does not have small groups in one form or another. Many of them do not have a declared small group ministry, but people will get into small groups regardless of whether or not small groups is an official ministry. People naturally and automatically seek out relationships. dlentz@smallgroups.com (Dan Lentz) Sun, 04 Jun 2006 00:00:00 -0400 http://smallgroups.com/articles/1233/1/Small_Groups_Simply_Dont_Work.html You are absolutely right. They do not work if you are talking about small groups as a program of the church, a way to grow your church, a popular alternative to Sunday school, or one of the many ministry options offered on the local church menu. sdisabatino@theportico.ca (Sandro DiSabatino) Sat, 03 Jun 2006 00:00:00 -0400 http://smallgroups.com/articles/1067/1/Re-Starting_Small_Groups.html While serving conventional churches, many have experienced difficulty in getting small groups up and running. It might make you wonder what makes it so difficult to get them started. Here are a couple of thoughts, as well as a few suggestions, for getting them started. bill@spiritualhabits.com (Bill Tenny-Brittian) Wed, 05 Oct 2005 00:00:00 -0400 http://smallgroups.com/articles/1465/1/Church_Planters_Diary.html Church Planting Diary – 10th Entry "Training Small Group Leaders" dlentz@smallgroups.com (Dan Lentz) Sat, 01 Dec 2001 00:00:00 -0500 http://smallgroups.com/articles/1464/1/Church_Planters_Diary.html Church Planting Diary – 9th Entry "Training vs. Trying" dlentz@smallgroups.com (Dan Lentz) Mon, 01 Oct 2001 00:00:00 -0400 http://smallgroups.com/articles/1463/1/Church_Planters_Diary.html Church Planting Diary – 8th Entry "Preparing for Preview Worship" dlentz@smallgroups.com (Dan Lentz) Wed, 01 Aug 2001 00:00:00 -0400 http://smallgroups.com/articles/1462/1/Church_Planters_Diary.html Church Planting Diary – 7th Entry "Recruiting the Launch Group" dlentz@smallgroups.com (Dan Lentz) Fri, 01 Jun 2001 00:00:00 -0400 http://smallgroups.com/articles/1461/1/Church_Planters_Diary.html Church Planting Diary – 6th Entry "To Program or Not to Program?" dlentz@smallgroups.com (Dan Lentz) Sun, 01 Apr 2001 00:00:00 -0500 http://smallgroups.com/articles/1460/1/Church_Planting_Diary.html Church Planting Diary – 5th Entry "What Will it Look Like?" dlentz@smallgroups.com (Dan Lentz) Thu, 01 Feb 2001 00:00:00 -0500 http://smallgroups.com/articles/1459/1/Church_Planting_Diary.html Church Planting Diary – 4th Entry "Deciding Strategies and Structures" dlentz@smallgroups.com (Dan Lentz) Fri, 01 Dec 2000 00:00:00 -0500 http://smallgroups.com/articles/1458/1/Church_Planting_Diary.html Church Planting Diary – 3rd Entry "Discovering an Outreach Target" dlentz@smallgroups.com (Dan Lentz) Sun, 01 Oct 2000 00:00:00 -0400 http://smallgroups.com/articles/467/1/Starting_Right.html Starting a small group can be more complicated than it first appears. And less complicated than we make it. micmac@smallgroups.com (Michael C. Mack) Sat, 02 Sep 2000 00:00:00 -0400 http://smallgroups.com/articles/1455/1/Church_Planting_Diary.html Church Planting Diary – 2nd Entry "Establishing Core Values and a Mission Statement" dlentz@smallgroups.com (Dan Lentz) Tue, 01 Aug 2000 00:00:00 -0400 http://smallgroups.com/articles/1453/1/Church_Planting_Diary.html Church Planting Diary – 1st Entry "What We Did First" dlentz@smallgroups.com (Dan Lentz) Thu, 01 Jun 2000 00:00:00 -0400 http://smallgroups.com/articles/1451/1/Church_Planting_Diary.html 1st Entry "How Did We Get Here?!" dlentz@smallgroups.com (Dan Lentz) Mon, 01 May 2000 00:00:00 -0400 http://smallgroups.com/articles/1450/1/Church_Planters_Diary.html Introducing the Church Planter’s Diary dlentz@smallgroups.com (Dan Lentz) Sat, 01 Apr 2000 00:00:00 -0500 http://smallgroups.com/articles/647/1/How_to_Start_and_Sustain_Support_Groups.html What's the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the words "support group"? Some churches think support groups are too emotional, too psychological, or simply "not spiritual enough." office@smallgroups.com (Tim Sutherland) Fri, 04 Dec 1998 00:00:00 -0500 http://smallgroups.com/articles/800/1/How_Not_to_Start_a_Small_Group_Ministry.html Question: Three years ago our church tried small groups and failed. They organized three groups with 25 people in each group. micmac@smallgroups.com (Michael C. Mack) Thu, 08 Aug 1996 00:00:00 -0400 http://smallgroups.com/articles/1371/1/Starting_Right.html Starting a small group can be more complicated than it first appears. And less complicated than we make it. micmac@smallgroups.com (Michael C. Mack) Tue, 06 Aug 1996 00:00:00 -0400 http://smallgroups.com/articles/1373/1/Restart_With_a_Bang.html August is upon us. School days are fast approaching, along with fall and winter (already?). Vacations and savings have been spent, and plans are being made for the holidays--“Who’s family is it this year, dear?” Gasp! It’s time for church to “start up” again after the summer break! But wait, we don’t have enough time to prepare! It’s way too soon! rdamon@valleycc.org (Robert Damon) Sun, 04 Aug 1996 00:00:00 -0400