For nearly ten years, people could self-iniate the connections process at Citylight by reaching out to group leaders directly. After nearly a decade, we've changed our approach to inviting people into community. In this episode, City Groups Directors, Sarah Buettenback and Trevor Nashleanas sit down to talk about the changes we made and why.

Turning Your Small Group into Missional Community

Does your leadership fluctuate between seasons of pride and despair? If so, you might be suffering from the performance trap. In this episode, City Groups Director, Trevor Nashleanas, talks about what the performance trap is and what you can do to break free from it.

Breaking Free from the Performance Trap Discussion Guide

The Freedom of Self-Forgetfulness

Making Sense of God

The Church is a God-centered community on mission, which means that every Christian is a missionary. In today's episode, Citylight's Global Missions Director, Luke Manna, talks about what group leaders can learn from our global partners.

You can connect with Luke at [email protected].

To learn more about Citylight's Global Partners visit https://citylightomaha.org/global/

Nobody likes to have hard conversations. They're often awkward, tense, and uncomfortable. But if you lead long enough, you'll experience your fair share of them, and you'll need to know how to handle them well. In this episode, City Groups Director, Trevor Nashleanas, defines what hard conversations are, explains why they matter, and shares eight practical steps you can take to make those conversationsations fruitful instead of frustrating.

Hard Conversations Discussion Guide

Developing Your Leadership Presence Part 1

Developing Your Leadership Presence Part 2

Getting Beneath the Surface: A Guide for Leaders

Gospel Application

Gospel Application Worksheet

A missional community is an outward facing group of Christians who gather for the sake of making disciples among their neighborhoods and networks. They are kingdom outposts where not-yet-believers can explore and learn about Jesus among Christians who are thoughtfully and intentionally engaging their neighbors, co-workers, classmates, and family members with the gospel. Unlike traditional small groups, missional communities know that the group does not exist for them. They are the group, and they exist for the world. In this episode, City Groups Director, Trevor Nashleanas, explores three simple ways that you can help your group become this kind of community.

Turning Your Small Group into a Missional Community Discussion Guide

Missional Community Prayer Guide

Sample Gospel Explanations

A Field Guide for Everyday Mission - A great resource for group discussions, huddles, or personal development. If your group is serious about becoming more missional, this guide provides dozens of tools to help you take practical steps in that direction.

Sarah Buettenback is a Citylight OG. She joined the core team with her family in 2012, and has served on staff since 2013 in Serving Teams and Community Engagement. Now a City Groups Director at the Midtown location, Sarah shares her story and offers insights to help you lead your group into a new season of ministry fruitfulness.

Comments or questions about the show? Send us an email at [email protected].

One of the most common questions small group leaders ask is, “What do we do with all the kids?” Sadly, many groups take a passive approach to children, which creates unnecessary chaos, confusion, and stress. But it doesn’t have to be that way. While kids do require more intentionality, it is possible to involve them in a way that minimizes the stress and chaos that some groups seem to face. In this episode, City Groups Director, Trevor Nashleanas, talks about principles and strategies for including kids in group. 

Have a question or a topic you'd like addressed? Email [email protected]. We'd love to hear from you!

What About the Kids Discusison Guide

Sample Kids Plan

Take Your Kids to Group: A Guide for Parents

10 Tips for Groups with Kids

Leading group discussions is like playing baseball. If you get a base hit 30-40% of the time, you're doing really well. But that doesn't mean you should settle for mediocre discussions every week. With a few mindset shifts and some guiding principles any small group leader can take their discussions to the next level. In this episode, City Groups Director Trevor Nashleanas, will give you the tools you need to lead better group discussions. 

Leading Better Group Discussions Discussion Guide

Leading Below the Line: A Simple Guide for Better Follow Up

Sample Discussion Guide from Citylight Church

In this episode, City Groups Director, Trevor Nashleanas, sits down with co-lead pastors Gavin Johnson and Chris Hruska to celebrate Citylight's ten year anniversary, and to talk about the unique role that City Groups have played in Citylight's mission to multiply disciples and churches. If you're looking for insights that will turn your small group into a true missional community, or you need fresh vision for your group, then this episode is for you. 

Have a topic you want to see addressed on this podcast, or questions you'd like answered? Send them to [email protected]. 

Citylight Vision Video

Citylight Family 

One of your most important responsibilities as a City Group Leader is to develop your leadership presence. In this episode, City Groups Director Trevor Nashleanas will give you three powerful ways that you can do that. 

Developing Your Leadership Presence Part 1

Download the discussion guide for this episode. 

For a similar perspective see the article Is Your Discipleship Model Missing Something? on the Gospel Coalition.