http://smallgroups.com en-us http://smallgroups.com N/A bryan@upstateimage.com Sat, 06 Sep 2008 22:40:58 -0400 20 http://smallgroups.com/articles/1633/1/Assessing_Small_Group_Success.html How many groups does your church have? How many people are in groups? What percentage of your church is in groups? How many groups have multiplied in the last year? How many new groups have formed in the last year? These are common questions in small group literature and common measurements for determining small group success. When I first started working with a small group consulting firm in the early 1990s, these were common questions we would ask people to determine the status of their groups. In coaching and pastoring groups since then, these are the statistics that I have tracked to see if I have been doing my job. sboren@whchurch.org (Scott Boren) Tue, 05 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0400 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/1235/1/Why_Dont_More_People_Attend_Small_Groups.html "We are committed to becoming a church of small groups." "Life-change happens best in small groups." "Everyone needs authentic community." These statements, and others like them, are heard often in churches around the country. Small groups have become a big deal. Churches desiring to help members connect relationally and to grow in discipleship have turned to the small group (5 to15 people meeting regularly in a home) paradigm. They have hired small group directors, highlighted groups in sermons, and promoted groups in their ministry strategy. steve@crossroadsumc.org (Steve Cordle) Thu, 01 Jun 2006 00:00:00 -0400 http://smallgroups.com/articles/1166/1/Questions_to_ask_When_a_Small_Group_is_Sick.html IS IT TIME FOR A SHIFT IN LEADERSHIP?  Has the leader grown tired of leading? Was the leader ever effective as a small group leader, and should consider another ministry area?  Is more training needed for the current leader?  Does the leader need to recruit a co-leader, to share the load and to prepare for future leadership of additional groups?  Is it time for someone else in the group to "step up to the plate" and lead? rlowry@crossroadschristian.com (Rick Lowry) Mon, 05 Dec 2005 00:00:00 -0500 http://smallgroups.com/articles/1174/1/Misdiagnosis.html For some time my life has been an illustration of the ideas I'm going to share with you. I have struggled with a chronic illness for the past couple of years. Over that time, my symptoms have led to many different diagnoses. Most of which, unfortunately, were misdiagnoses. I even had times when my doctors all agreed there was a problem, but had no idea what the problems really was! It wasn't until well after a year of this process that an accurate diagnosis and treatment was determined, one that eventually began to help my situation. The same can be said of small groups.Many small group communities can become chronically spiritually ill. But the symptoms don't always lead to an obvious diagnosis. dlentz@smallgroups.com (Dan Lentz) Sun, 04 Dec 2005 00:00:00 -0500 http://smallgroups.com/articles/1033/1/The_Power_of_Small_Group_Statistics.html The main reason to keep and review weekly small group statistics is quality control-to know the reality of the small group situation. joelcomiskey@msn.com (Joel Comiskey) Mon, 04 Jul 2005 00:00:00 -0400 http://smallgroups.com/articles/1034/1/Small_Group_Management_Systems/Buying_an_Off-the-Shelf_Product.html Many years ago, I entered my first church experience as a small group director. Part of my job description was administration of our church and small group database. dlentz@smallgroups.com (Dan Lentz) Sun, 03 Jul 2005 00:00:00 -0400 http://smallgroups.com/articles/1035/1/Small_Group_Management_Systems/Why_We_Built_Our_Own_and_How_It_Works.html Crossroads Christian Church of Evansville, Indiana, addressed the challenge of gathering, tracking, and maintaining a database for small groups by building our own database. rlowry@crossroadschristian.com (Rick Lowry) Sat, 02 Jul 2005 00:00:00 -0400 http://smallgroups.com/articles/1071/1/Assessing_the_Health_of_a_Small_Group_Ministry/Principles_and_Practice.html I smiled a few weeks ago as I read a framed quote on a pastor's desk, "ministry is hard work-get over it." jgweber@mac.com (Jeff Weber) Wed, 05 Jan 2005 00:00:00 -0500 http://smallgroups.com/articles/1072/1/Healthy_Small_Group.html Our Small Group Ministry Team met to discuss "Small Group Health." We had several objectives. The first was simply to define what a healthy group is, what it looks like, and how it operates. micmac@smallgroups.com (Michael C. Mack) Tue, 04 Jan 2005 00:00:00 -0500 http://smallgroups.com/articles/1073/1/Diagnosing_Small_Group_Health.html I have found that small group "health" gets evaluated from very different perspectives depending on your role in small group ministry. dlentz@smallgroups.com (Dan Lentz) Mon, 03 Jan 2005 00:00:00 -0500 http://smallgroups.com/articles/1075/1/Questions_that_Reveal_Poor_Small_Group_Health.html As the group leader, is my walk with God incomplete? When it comes to group health, there may be no more important question than this one. I cannot take a group to a spiritual place I have not been myself. rlowry@crossroadschristian.com (Rick Lowry) Sun, 02 Jan 2005 00:00:00 -0500 http://smallgroups.com/articles/1076/1/Five_Senses_Check-Up_Checklist.html Conduct an annual check-up to determine your small group's health. Evaluate your group's dynamics by using the "five senses checklist" revkwright@aol.com (Keith Wright) Sat, 01 Jan 2005 00:00:00 -0500 http://smallgroups.com/articles/103/1/Helping_Assess_the_Spiritual_Growth_of_Your_Group_Members.html The goal of all our training efforts has to be, first and foremost, Christ being formed in the lives of everyone involved. That is why a small group leader's greatest asset is always a tight-knit relationship with God. boyd@churchteams.com (Boyd Pelley) Sun, 01 Aug 2004 00:00:00 -0400 http://smallgroups.com/articles/187/1/Are_You_Tired_Yet.html This last summer I took the time to do a little unscientific research on staffing ratios in small group ministries around the country. rex@earlhamchurch.org (Rex L. Stancil) Sat, 06 Mar 2004 00:00:00 -0500 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/319/1/Maintaining_Spiritual_Focus/Are_You_Leading_to_a_Place_You_Have_Been.html Small group leadership in the local church is a detail-intensive ministry. Lesson preparation and regular contact with group members are hard enough to squeeze into a busy leader's calendar. rlowry@crossroadschristian.com (Rick Lowry) Sat, 01 Mar 2003 00:00:00 -0500 http://smallgroups.com/articles/327/1/Your_Small_Group_and_Your_Family/Competitors_or_Team_Members.html Have you ever stopped to examine the ministry pressures that compete for your time and attention? daphnekirk@hotmail.com (Daphne Kirk) Wed, 01 Jan 2003 00:00:00 -0500 http://smallgroups.com/articles/356/1/Energy_Bars_for_the_Soul.html As you work in ministry, do you ever feel like you've given out more than you have within yourself? Sometimes I get so busy doing the Lord's work that I neglect to feed my own soul. baileywick@juno.com (Esther M. Bailey) Fri, 05 Jul 2002 00:00:00 -0400 http://smallgroups.com/articles/357/1/Soulcare_Survivor.html For three years now I have been an avid fan of the reality show "Survivor" on CBS. I look forward each season to watching 16 potential survivors outwit, outplay and outlast each other in their 39-day adventure. mike@connectedlife.us (Mike Shepherd) Thu, 04 Jul 2002 00:00:00 -0400 http://smallgroups.com/articles/358/1/Taking_Daily_Time_to_Care_for_Your_Own_Soul.html One day a distraught man named John Salas nervously opened the door to my office, "I've tried everything," he blurted out. joelcomiskey@msn.com (Joel Comiskey) Wed, 03 Jul 2002 00:00:00 -0400 http://smallgroups.com/articles/373/1/Community_Evaluation.html Each member of the group should complete this evaluation individually. Prayerfully, honestly and humbly answer each question for your group. Underline the number, from 1 to 5, that best describes your group for that attribute, micmac@smallgroups.com (Michael C. Mack) Fri, 05 Apr 2002 00:00:00 -0500 http://smallgroups.com/articles/378/1/Assessment_and_Adjustment_of_the_Small_Group_Ministry.html Ok, how many of you complete those evaluation forms that restaurants or hotels ask you to complete from time to time? mike@connectedlife.us (Mike Shepherd) Wed, 06 Mar 2002 00:00:00 -0500 http://smallgroups.com/articles/379/1/Upward_Inward_Outward_Forward_Assessment_Tool/Part_1_of_3_-_Introduction.html This assessment tool will help you determine the health of your small group and your own strength as a small group leader in four basic areas of small group health: randall@touchusa.org (Randall Neighbour) Tue, 05 Mar 2002 00:00:00 -0500 http://smallgroups.com/articles/380/1/Dont_Chunk_the_Check-ups.html Stepping on the scales, checking one's cholesterol, going to the dentist, paying a visit to a financial advisor-these are just a few of the many ways we routinely monitor ourselves and/or our lives. lenwoods@gmail.com (Len Woods) Mon, 04 Mar 2002 00:00:00 -0500 http://smallgroups.com/articles/382/1/GrowthFinder_Using_the_Internet_to_Diagnose_Spiritual_Health.html Most of us are convinced spiritual growth is supposed to be natural and normal for healthy believers. boyd@churchteams.com (Boyd Pelley) Sat, 02 Mar 2002 00:00:00 -0500 http://smallgroups.com/articles/383/1/Gauging_the_Health_of_Your_Group.html Prayerfully ponder each of the following categories and descriptions and plot your group experience somewhere on the spectrum. Talk over the results with your small group pastor or coach: lenwoods@gmail.com (Len Woods) Fri, 01 Mar 2002 00:00:00 -0500 http://smallgroups.com/articles/431/1/Small_Group_Evaluation_and_Celebration.html Plan on bringing your group to a positive conclusion this year. Here are some suggestions to help your group celebrate the good things God did in your midst. revkwright@aol.com (Keith Wright) Fri, 01 Jun 2001 00:00:00 -0400 http://smallgroups.com/articles/441/1/Take_an_online_Spiritual_Gifts_Assessment.html Online Survey micmac@smallgroups.com (Michael C. Mack) Sun, 01 Apr 2001 00:00:00 -0500 http://smallgroups.com/articles/464/1/Biblical_Leadership_A_Report_Card.html Examples of leadership in action fill the pages of Scripture. Some leaders were highly effective throughout their lives, while some did better during certain phases. This chart grades Biblical personalities on their performance during four key phases of leadership. micmac@smallgroups.com (Michael C. Mack) Sun, 01 Oct 2000 00:00:00 -0400 http://smallgroups.com/articles/587/1/Motivated_to_Lead/Keys_to_having_greater_vision_spiritual_health_and_fruitfulness_in_small_groups.html As the leader of a small group, have you ever done any of the following? (I am speaking from experience here): office@smallgroups.com (Matt Messner) Sun, 05 Dec 1999 00:00:00 -0500 http://smallgroups.com/articles/735/1/12_Principles_of_Cell-Celebration_Churches.html PRAYER - Prayer is foundational to the life and growth of thechurch.Result - There is a growing understanding of the critical part prayer plays in accessing spiritual power and in hearing God.Intercessors are mobilized and prayer is a vital component of every church meeting. JSBinAZ@compuserve.com (Jeannette S. Buller) Wed, 01 Oct 1997 00:00:00 -0400 http://smallgroups.com/articles/775/1/What_is_Success_For_a_Home_Group.html When you conclude your Home Group, how do you know whether you have been successful? What is the standard of measurement? What are the primary objectives? micmac@smallgroups.com (Michael C. Mack) Sat, 05 Oct 1996 00:00:00 -0400 http://smallgroups.com/articles/1379/1/A_Good_Time_to_Evaluate.html That's one reason evaluation is so important. We can learn from our failures--and successes--but only if we take the time to look back and evaluate where we've been and where we're going. micmac@smallgroups.com (Michael C. Mack) Fri, 04 Oct 1996 00:00:00 -0400 http://smallgroups.com/articles/776/1/Evaluation_for_Small_Group_Leaders.html Evaluation is what helps us improve. We are constantly challenging our cell group leaders to become better and better at shepherding their flock of five to fifteen. jayfirebaugh@sbcglobal.net (Jay Firebaugh) Fri, 04 Oct 1996 00:00:00 -0400 http://smallgroups.com/articles/777/1/The_Need_to_Measure_to_Build_It_Right.html For the last year we've been in a building program as a church. Fifteen months ago the architect produced the blueprints and we broke ground. jayfirebaugh@sbcglobal.net (Jay Firebaugh) Thu, 03 Oct 1996 00:00:00 -0400 http://smallgroups.com/articles/778/1/The_Value_of_Reports.html An old proverb states that a journey of a thousand miles begins with one step! jayfirebaugh@sbcglobal.net (Jay Firebaugh) Wed, 02 Oct 1996 00:00:00 -0400 http://smallgroups.com/articles/1009/1/Team_Tune_Up.html Teams, says author Charlene B. Adair-Heeley, need to critique themselves regularly to stay on track. It is like weight control-it's easier to take off five pounds a week for ten weeks than to lose fifty pounds all at one time. micmac@smallgroups.com (Michael C. Mack) Mon, 06 Nov 1995 00:00:00 -0500 http://smallgroups.com/articles/1010/1/Concerns_of_Small_Group_Members.html Murphy Belding, small groups minister at Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, Kentucky, put together for his leaders a list of eight concerns of small group members. You may want to use these to plan topics for future meetings. micmac@smallgroups.com (Michael C. Mack) Sun, 05 Nov 1995 00:00:00 -0500 http://smallgroups.com/articles/1011/1/The_Importance_of_Evaluation.html "While all members are periodically involved in evaluating how the group is performing, the good leader will be constantly evaluating and taking corrective actions as necessary." --Bob Parker, Small Groups: Workable Wineskins pat@mightyoakministries.com (Pat J. Sikora) Sat, 04 Nov 1995 00:00:00 -0500 http://smallgroups.com/articles/1012/1/Evaluation_Resources.html Hare a few resources that include helpful information on evaluation. Some of these include evaluation forms. micmac@smallgroups.com (Michael C. Mack) Fri, 03 Nov 1995 00:00:00 -0500 http://smallgroups.com/articles/1336/1/Evaluation_and_Flexibility_in_Small_Groups.html There is one primary element that should be strongly emphasized in any discussion about evaluation, especially for congregations just starting a small groups ministry: Flexibility. rdamon@valleycc.org (Robert Damon) Wed, 01 Nov 1995 00:00:00 -0500