http://smallgroups.com en-us http://smallgroups.com N/A bryan@upstateimage.com Tue, 19 Aug 2008 18:04:50 -0400 20 http://smallgroups.com/articles/1520/1/Leadership_Issues_in_the_Small_Group.html I know this may sound redundant, but here goes: “Leading a small group requires leadership.” We have all suspected for a long time that small group leadership may involve leadership, and if you have led a group for any length of time you know that it definitely requires some leadership skills. With this revelation in mind, let me ask you a question: When you think of leadership, what definition or word picture comes to your mind? rdempsey@liberty.edu (Rod Dempsey) Wed, 05 Sep 2007 00:00:00 -0400 http://smallgroups.com/articles/1521/1/Engaging_God_from_the_Heart/Finding_Personal_Transformation_in_Adversity.html At 22 and fresh out of college, I was honored to be one of the first small group leaders in our new church plant. I felt like I was really doing well as a Christian and on my way to accomplishing great things in the Kingdom of God. Two years later, the group I had invested so much of myself in decided together to disband because they felt they “weren’t having a good small group experience”. Ouch. That event was the beginning of a two-year series of blows to my confidence that led me to the point of giving up on my call. I thought my usefulness to God as a leader was over. office@smallgroups.com (Tony Stoltzfus) Tue, 04 Sep 2007 00:00:00 -0400 http://smallgroups.com/articles/1522/1/The_Authority_of_Love_-_A_Leader_After_Gods_Own_Heart.html On our journey as leaders and servants of the church, we encounter many truths. Most are gleaned from Scripture. The most powerful lessons are learned through experience which corresponds with Scripture. They come as insights from the Holy Spirit, whose teaching ministry we were promised would: “lead [us] into all truth.” These biblical life lessons and Spirit insights form a body of wisdom that we draw upon in our oversight of God’s people. Through this process, of comparing biblical truth with life experience, the leaders I serve with at New Life Fellowship have discovered several “authority of love” principles that God is teaching through their care for their small groups, called Lifegroups. dalves@frontlineInc.org (David Alves) Mon, 03 Sep 2007 00:00:00 -0400 http://smallgroups.com/articles/1523/1/The_5_Hs_of_a_Small_Group_Leaders_Journey.html “Hey…have you ever considered leading a small group?” That is usually what people think is the beginning of their journey into small group leadership. However, the journey begins much earlier in the unofficial, perhaps unnoticed steps. This leadership journey is a continuum that I call the 5 H’s of a leader’s journey: steve@lcfliberty.org (Steve Rowe) Sun, 02 Sep 2007 00:00:00 -0400 http://smallgroups.com/articles/1524/1/When_a_Small_Group_Leader_is_Running_on_Empty.html There is a metaphor that we often use with each other, particularly in Christian circles. It is the metaphor of the “fuel tank.” We like to say, “How is your tank these days? Is it full or empty?” Of course, we are not talking about the fuel tank on our mini-van or lawn mower. We are talking about a psychological tank that somehow monitors our physical, emotional, and mental energy. dlentz@smallgroups.com (Dan Lentz) Sat, 01 Sep 2007 00:00:00 -0400 http://smallgroups.com/articles/1315/1/Who_Says_So.html Jason shared with his small group that he had moved in with Jackie…even though they weren’t married. As Jason’s group leader, what should Nick do? steve@crossroadsumc.org (Steve Cordle) Sun, 04 Mar 2007 00:00:00 -0500 http://smallgroups.com/articles/1317/1/Spiritual_Responsibility_at_the_Small_Group_Leader_Level.html How can a church be assured that spiritual growth is happening in its small groups? Most churches adopt a structure between two extremes. rlowry@crossroadschristian.com (Rick Lowry) Fri, 02 Mar 2007 00:00:00 -0500 http://smallgroups.com/articles/1318/1/Small_Group_Authority_How_It_Works_for_Us.html In many churches the role of the small group leader varies from bible-teacher, to spiritual director, to shepherd, to facilitator. There is no shortage of leadership-authority models for small groups, but it is how that authority is understood, acted on, or responded to that contributes greatly to an effective group ministry. dalves@frontlineInc.org (David Alves) Thu, 01 Mar 2007 00:00:00 -0500 http://smallgroups.com/articles/1251/1/Staying_Focused_and_Flexible_with_Small_Group_Coaching_Templates.html Have you ever completed a coaching session with a leader and felt like you could have made better use of the time you had together? Perhaps the meeting was "all business" and you never really connected with the leader personally. You may have had a great conversation about what has been happening in the group, but did not really plan any specific action steps for the future. david@lifejourneychurch.com (David Limiero) Fri, 04 Aug 2006 00:00:00 -0400 http://smallgroups.com/articles/1252/1/The_Fine_Art_of_Coaching_Small_Group_Leaders.html Coaching appears to be the "next big thing" when it comes to church leadership. It seems almost everyone either (1) wants to be a coach, or (2) wants to be coached. The fact is, everyone needs a coach, but a great teacher does not necessarily make a good coach. bill@spiritualhabits.com (Bill Tenny-Brittian) Thu, 03 Aug 2006 00:00:00 -0400 http://smallgroups.com/articles/1253/1/A_Game_Plan_for_Coaching_Small_Group_Leaders.html When you think of coaching, what is the first thing you think about? Is it a football coach roaming the sidelines ranting and raving at some official? Maybe it is a coach from high school that either did or did not like you and treated you accordingly. Maybe when you think of the word "coach" you think of a mentor that has guided you through some life decisions and it is a very positive feeling. Hopefully, the concept or the mention of the word "coach" leaves you with warm fuzzies all over. What about if you are the coach or the leader of coaches? What framework of topics and questions do you have to guide you and your team to victory? The following pointers come from years of working with coaches and leaders: rdempsey@liberty.edu (Rod Dempsey) Wed, 02 Aug 2006 00:00:00 -0400 http://smallgroups.com/articles/1258/1/Small_Group_Leader_Coaching__Team-based_vs_Pyramid-based_Models.html Small Group Pastor, Division or Zone / Sectional Leaders, Coaches, Small Group Leaders, Apprentices, and Hosts – does this hierarchy of servant leadership sound familiar to you? The application of corporate-like pyramidal organizational models to developing small group ministries in the Church is pervasive... reidsmith777@msn.com (Reid Smith) Tue, 01 Aug 2006 00:00:00 -0400 http://smallgroups.com/articles/1246/1/Not_All_Small_Group_Leaders_Are_Shepherdsand_Thats_OK.html Over the years, dialogue about small group leadership has revolved around the gifting of a “shepherd.” This thinking has been so pervasive that it is often assumed the best small group leaders are people with the spiritual gift of shepherd. The role, or gifting, of a shepherd will always be a major factor in how we view and discuss small group leadership, but it is time for the mold that has been cast around the spiritual gift of a shepherd to be broken. reidsmith777@msn.com (Reid Smith) Mon, 03 Jul 2006 00:00:00 -0400 http://smallgroups.com/articles/1200/1/Finding_New_Small_Group_Leaders_Does_the_Search_Ever_End.html Does the search for small group leaders ever end? If you are the small groups pastor or lay leader and your ministry is multiplying, and it needs to be to keep it healthy, the answer is no. When I first started the small group ministry at Bay Area Fellowship, I looked up and realized I was spending a huge amount of my time trying to find new leaders. I remember thinking how great it would be someday when I could sit back, relax, and focus on other things. 170 groups later, I am still waiting for that break. jccatkinson@aol.com (John Atkinson) Fri, 03 Mar 2006 00:00:00 -0500 http://smallgroups.com/articles/1187/1/Moving_to_a_Staff_Coaching_Model/Moving_to_a_Staff_Coaching_Model.html About two years ago we fired our coaches. OK, truth be told, we didn't really have any coaches to fire. Two years ago we liberated our small group staff to coach the small group leaders directly - without the aid of a lay coach. BSearch@SECC.ORG (Bill Search) Sun, 01 Jan 2006 00:00:00 -0500 http://smallgroups.com/articles/1140/1/Gems_from_Training_Events.html While attending the Southeastern Small Group Conference this year in Savannah, GA, I paid particular attention to what was happening in the area of small group leader coaching. I participated in several different workshops and main sessions where the topic of coaching was discussed. Here is what I gleaned from what I heard: dlentz@smallgroups.com (Dan Lentz) Fri, 04 Nov 2005 00:00:00 -0500 http://smallgroups.com/articles/1020/1/Priorities/How_Jesus_Avoided_the_I_dont_have_time_for_a_small_group_Dilemma.html "I'd like to be in a small group, but we just don't have the time right now." I have heard that phrase 7,463 times since getting involved in small group ministry, but who's counting? micmac@smallgroups.com (Michael C. Mack) Mon, 05 Sep 2005 00:00:00 -0400 http://smallgroups.com/articles/1029/1/INVEST.html As you support small group leaders who are building and balancing many aspects of ministry, do not forget to…INVEST! shane@freedom-church.org (Shane Frazier) Wed, 03 Aug 2005 00:00:00 -0400 http://smallgroups.com/articles/1055/1/When_a_Leader_in_Conflict_Asks_a_Coach_for_Help.html I am a coach or director in a small group ministry. When a leader comes to me asking for help resolving a conflict within their group, what questions should I ask myself before responding? rlowry@crossroadschristian.com (Rick Lowry) Sat, 05 Mar 2005 00:00:00 -0500 http://smallgroups.com/articles/1060/1/What_Small_Group_Leaders_Need.html When Katie asked to get together to talk about small groups, I readily agreed. She was bright and perceptive, an excellent leader. She loved her small group and they loved her, but that is not what her body language conveyed. bettyvw@msn.com (Betty Veldman Wieland) Sun, 06 Feb 2005 00:00:00 -0500 http://smallgroups.com/articles/1061/1/Making_Small_Group_Leaders_Part_of_the_Team.html Leading a small group ministry is an extraordinary opportunity. Too often, those of us who pilot this ministry think like small group leaders and miss one important fact… rick.howerton@serendipityhouse.com (Rick Howerton) Sat, 05 Feb 2005 00:00:00 -0500 http://smallgroups.com/articles/1062/1/The_Small_Group_Leader_NeedsPeers_in_Service.html I have made it a regular, ongoing practice in my ministry as a small group pastor to ask our leaders, "What do you need? How can we help you most in your ministry?" micmac@smallgroups.com (Michael C. Mack) Fri, 04 Feb 2005 00:00:00 -0500 http://smallgroups.com/articles/1063/1/Leadership_Support__Keeping_it_Simple.html Small group leaders, whether they are seasoned vets or fresh rookies, have the same needs when it comes to leadership support. steve@lcfliberty.org (Steve Rowe) Thu, 03 Feb 2005 00:00:00 -0500 http://smallgroups.com/articles/1064/1/Building_Leader_Support_Events_from_the_Bottom_Up_Rather_Than_the_Top_Down.html I have just become the new pastor of our church's small group ministry after "growing up" in our small group system. hcgreeley@yahoo.com (Cindy Chavez) Wed, 02 Feb 2005 00:00:00 -0500 http://smallgroups.com/articles/1065/1/To_Coach_With_Love.html Dear Coach Emma, Today marks my second anniversary as a Small Group Leader. I'd like to take this opportunity to thank you for supporting me all the way. maymie@rogers.com (Maymie Lau) Tue, 01 Feb 2005 00:00:00 -0500 http://smallgroups.com/articles/92/1/The_Role_of_the_Small_Group_Pastor/Develop_Healthy_Relationships.html I want to talk about one common ministry principle in all of the ministry positions that I have held. It is this: All successful discipleship and leadership development flows from healthy relationships. rdempsey@liberty.edu (Rod Dempsey) Mon, 06 Sep 2004 00:00:00 -0400 http://smallgroups.com/articles/93/1/Protecting_the_Marriages__Families_of_Your_Small_Group_Leaders.html True confessions…with all the recent news about cloning, the thought has actually crossed my mind: Boy, I sure do wish I could clone several of the "sharper" couples who are leading small groups in our church. lenwoods@gmail.com (Len Woods) Sun, 05 Sep 2004 00:00:00 -0400 http://smallgroups.com/articles/94/1/Five_Habits_of_Effective_Small_Group_Coaches.html There are five essential habits practiced by effective coaches of group leaders. In order to remember them, I use an acrostic: C.O.A.C.H. and put it around a star in order to make them more easy to remember. dearley@liberty.edu (Dave Earley) Sat, 04 Sep 2004 00:00:00 -0400 http://smallgroups.com/articles/96/1/Ways_to_Get_Coaching_When_You_Dont_Have_a_Coach.html What is a coach? It is a vehicle that brings you to your goal. Rather than a bus, a coach is a person who helps you get from point A to point B. He or she helps you reach your goals. dlentz@smallgroups.com (Dan Lentz) Thu, 02 Sep 2004 00:00:00 -0400 http://smallgroups.com/articles/205/1/Four_Secrets_of_Great_Team-Based_Leadership.html Fourteen years ago a childhood friend, a college roommate, a brother, a friend-of-a-friend, and I made up the team who pioneered the adventure called Community Christian Church. davef@communitychristian.org (Dave Ferguson) Fri, 05 Dec 2003 00:00:00 -0500 http://smallgroups.com/articles/207/1/Leadership_Team_Building.html Xenos Christian Fellowship's home churches (small groups) are each led by teams of leaders instead of a single leader. Team leadership has a number of advantages, but can cause problems as well. mccallumd@xenos.org (Dennis McCallum) Wed, 03 Dec 2003 00:00:00 -0500 http://smallgroups.com/articles/228/1/To_Coach_or_not_to_Coach.html While a leader's personality certainly plays a role in how they manifest leadership, two things are certain: everyone can be a leader and every leader needs to grow in their leadership skills. prof@bcflife.org (Ken Erickson) Sun, 05 Oct 2003 00:00:00 -0400 http://smallgroups.com/articles/229/1/Small_Group_Leader_the_Anti-Hero.html In launching the Coffee Shop Church, we are striving to build a system for enabling small group leader success. umpstead@msu.edu (Bruce Umpstead) Sat, 04 Oct 2003 00:00:00 -0400 http://smallgroups.com/articles/230/1/Great_Youth_Small_Group_Leaders_-_Born_that_Way_or_Coached_to_be_that_Way.html The title of this month's article could be read two different ways: "Great SMALL GROUP Leaders" or "Great SMALL (Small) Group leaders!" daphnekirk@hotmail.com (Daphne Kirk) Fri, 03 Oct 2003 00:00:00 -0400 http://smallgroups.com/articles/231/1/Leaders_as_Spiritual_Coaches.html In many churches today, the role of leaders is changing from people who lead so tasks get done to that of leaders serving as spiritual coaches. LinneaAHP@aol.com (Linnea Nilsen Capshaw) Thu, 02 Oct 2003 00:00:00 -0400 http://smallgroups.com/articles/246/1/Between_the_Small_Group_Meetings/What_Every_Small_Group_Leader_Should_NOT_be_Doing.html Guilt. Burden. Overload. Nathan wondered how he could continue leading his small group with a full-time job, young family, and worship ministry on Sunday morning. joelcomiskey@msn.com (Joel Comiskey) Thu, 04 Sep 2003 00:00:00 -0400 http://smallgroups.com/articles/249/1/Ten_Growth_Questions_Leaders_Need_to_be_Asking_Themselves.html Holiness, God's Word, Worship, Sharing Faith, Stretching Faith, Prayer, Solitude, Serving, Spiritual Progress, Accountability rlowry@crossroadschristian.com (Rick Lowry) Mon, 01 Sep 2003 00:00:00 -0400 http://smallgroups.com/articles/250/1/What_Do_We_Want_to_Study_Next.html Leading a successful small group is a lot like sailing a ship at sea. Your job as the captain is to navigate your fellowship through a variety of navigational hazards, staying on course to reach your destination. An effective captain knows the right questions to ask. micmac@smallgroups.com (Michael C. Mack) Tue, 05 Aug 2003 00:00:00 -0400 http://smallgroups.com/articles/251/1/quotScratchingquot_Where_Your_Group_is_Itching.html You've got a small group that's ready to do something new and different. "We want something interesting, fun, life-changing!" (No pressure there, right?) lenwoods@gmail.com (Len Woods) Mon, 04 Aug 2003 00:00:00 -0400 http://smallgroups.com/articles/278/1/The_Coachs_Role_in_Breaking_Growth_Barriers.html It is my conviction that multiplication is the number one barrier in small group ministry. Many resist multiplication because they associate it with the numbers game or statistics. joelcomiskey@msn.com (Joel Comiskey) Thu, 03 Jul 2003 00:00:00 -0400 http://smallgroups.com/articles/279/1/Values_Goals_and_Feedback_Drive_Great_Leaders_and_Great_Groups.html In Small Group Training, we learn about being a "faith-oriented" leader. The essential element to becoming faith-oriented is leading with the heart. jweiner@secc.org (Jon Weiner) Wed, 02 Jul 2003 00:00:00 -0400 http://smallgroups.com/articles/315/1/The_Small_Group_Leader_as_Spiritual_Guide.html Perhaps the most exciting and intimidating role a small group leader may play in the lifestyles of small group participants is that of "spiritual guide." tgbandy@aol.com (Tom Bandy) Wed, 05 Mar 2003 00:00:00 -0500 http://smallgroups.com/articles/316/1/Taking_Spiritual_Responsibility.html At Clearpoint, the cell church where I serve as senior pastor, we say that we pastor people 5 to 15 at a time. That means that a small group leader must see his or her duty as far more than merely leading a meeting that occurs in someone's living room during the week! jayfirebaugh@sbcglobal.net (Jay Firebaugh) Tue, 04 Mar 2003 00:00:00 -0500 http://smallgroups.com/articles/384/1/Building_a_Great_Coaching_System.html Few leaders understand what it takes to lead and build a growing small group structure. We all have some ignorance and few of us ever received training in the area. We resorted to trial and error, and learned along the way. bdonahue@willowcreek.org (Bill Donahue, Ph.D.) Thu, 07 Feb 2002 00:00:00 -0500 http://smallgroups.com/articles/385/1/Creating_a_Dynamic_Coaching_Strategy.html Do your small group leaders know the game plan? Do they know the position of the goal line? Can we improve our strategy? office@smallgroups.com (Eric Bryce Johnson) Wed, 06 Feb 2002 00:00:00 -0500 http://smallgroups.com/articles/386/1/A_Small_Group_Coaching_Strategy_That_Is_Working.html Evergreen Community Church in Burnsville, Minnesota has grown from 120 worshiping in one location to 3,400 worshiping in five locations in the last 13 ½ years. mike@connectedlife.us (Mike Shepherd) Tue, 05 Feb 2002 00:00:00 -0500 http://smallgroups.com/articles/387/1/Friendship_The_Simple_Secret_Of_Coaching.html "My coach never spends time with me," the hurting leader confessed . "He administrates me, directs me, and even continues to exemplify small group leadership. But what I really want is a friend. joelcomiskey@msn.com (Joel Comiskey) Mon, 04 Feb 2002 00:00:00 -0500 http://smallgroups.com/articles/388/1/Successful_Coaching.html When it comes to successfully "coaching" small group leaders, it's important to remember that there is no one "right" way. lenwoods@gmail.com (Len Woods) Sun, 03 Feb 2002 00:00:00 -0500 http://smallgroups.com/articles/389/1/Confessions_of_a_Coach.html Over the past few years, I have been a coach of small group leaders. Recently, I was hired as the point leader for small groups at a new church focused on reaching GenX. ewishman@mac.com (Eric Wishman) Sat, 02 Feb 2002 00:00:00 -0500 http://smallgroups.com/articles/390/1/Coaching_Tools/A_Sample_Minimal_Coaching_Plan_A_Coaching_Check-Up_and_A_Coaching_Appointment_Checklist.html Everybody has plenty of ideas about what a small group coach should and shouldn't do (some of them quite detailed). And most coaches themselves have more than enough "good intentions." lenwoods@gmail.com (Len Woods) Fri, 01 Feb 2002 00:00:00 -0500 http://smallgroups.com/articles/586/1/Ministering_To_the_Ministers/The_Important_Role_of_Caring_for_Your_Cell_Leaders.html Joel Comiskey writes in Reap the Harvest (p. 134), "Why not forget a system of oversight and support and just concentrate on the cells? . . . First, you must take care of your leaders. jayfirebaugh@sbcglobal.net (Jay Firebaugh) Mon, 06 Dec 1999 00:00:00 -0500 http://smallgroups.com/articles/637/1/Coaching_that_Works.html "We can get them started, all right. We just can't seem to keep them going!" daveowen@northeastbaptist.org (David Owen) Wed, 06 Jan 1999 00:00:00 -0500 http://smallgroups.com/articles/640/1/Fresh_Ideas_for_Systematic_Ongoing_Training.html The Small Group Network was born out of a concern I had while sitting in a small group seminar led by Lyman Coleman in 1993. micmac@smallgroups.com (Michael C. Mack) Sun, 03 Jan 1999 00:00:00 -0500 http://smallgroups.com/articles/726/1/Teaching_Styles_to_Avoid.html Every small group leader is unique--equipped by God with a one-of-a-kind combination of personality type, strengths, built-in weaknesses, and natural teaching style. lenwoods@gmail.com (Len Woods) Tue, 02 Dec 1997 00:00:00 -0500 http://smallgroups.com/articles/768/1/Small_Group_Training_Meeting_Outline.html This page is for those who are entrusted with training and supporting small group leaders. It will enable you to create a small group environment for leaders, office@smallgroups.com (Jeffrey Arnold) Tue, 03 Dec 1996 00:00:00 -0500