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Diana Bennett
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 Dr. Diana Bennett serves as Coordinator, Spiritual Leadership Communities, and Consultant, Small Group Leadership Training for Leadership Transformations, Inc. Bennett received her Doctor of Ministry (Ministry in the New England Context) from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and has led small groups and trained leaders for the past 25 years. She has served as the New England Trainer for The Pilgrimage/NavPress Training Group, Minister of Small Groups at Park Street Church, Boston, MA, and most recently, Director of Small Group Ministries, Vision New England. "God changed the direction of my life through the experience of a healthy small group. I am committed to challenging leaders to lead well as they witness the Holy Spirit transform lives."
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Articles by this Author
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What Happens Best in Same Gender Groups
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I took a risk! “The 20 Somethings” inquired about having intergenerational small group leaders. In other words, they wanted some of us older people to be willing to lead their groups.
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Undaunted Courage
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PSC (www.parkstreet.org) is a unique historic (1809) city church with membership around 1700 and a weekly attendance of 2200. There are two morning services, very conservative, with a large population of older people. Evening services over the years previously attracted a couple hundred but has constantly decline resulting in only 30-40 in attendance in 1992. Evening contemporary service started fall of 1993 attracting hundreds of young people. The time was right for a small group ministry which began in the fall of 1994.
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This is my Story…This is my Song!
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Twelve of us sat comfortably in big comfy chairs and couches listening to each one tell his or her spiritual story. It was a small group retreat in a lovely bed and breakfast in an historic, alluring seaside community. Our first night together began with after dinner snacks and cold soda. A few attendees were friends with one another; several had little or no knowledge of the group gathered, so we began our time with friendly hellos and introductions.
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Soul Care
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Whenever I guide a group through the spiritual disciplines, I ask the question, “What comes to mind when you hear the words spiritual disciplines?” Often the response is “fasting” or “working harder” as they study the Bible! While these two topics certainly are part of the picture, there are numerous options for understanding and experiencing spiritual disciplines that become the root of our spiritual formation. Without paying attention to and implementing these valuable and necessary practices, we cannot develop an intimate relationship with Christ, mature in our spiritual journey, or be the witness for Christ to which we have been called. The on-going practice of reflective story telling, reflective Bible reading and listening, reflective journaling, and reflective prayer, to name a few, can become significant experiences within a small group setting.
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Are You Listening?
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One of the many human weaknesses is the ability to listen to one another. Think about the times when you were aware that the person to whom you were speaking had one ear tuned to the conversation on his or her left. “No, her name was Susan!” they might have contributed to the near-by conversation. Or perhaps you were discussing something important and your listener glanced down at her watch, or shuffled papers, or walked around the room! What kind of message is she sending? The ability to actively listen and care for one another is rare. In a small group setting, the inability to listen to one another inhibits the development of a trusting environment. Who is inclined to share personal concerns and difficulties knowing that the listening ear is unavailable?
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