Group Answers Episode 172: Leading Small Groups that Thrive

On this episode of Group Answers, Brian and Chris sit down with the authors of the recently released book, Leading Small Groups that Thrive.

DR. RYAN T. HARTWIG

Ryan T. Hartwig, (PhD, University of Colorado Boulder), is dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences and Professor of Communication at Colorado Christian University. He has taught courses in group, organizational and leadership communication for more than fifteen years, and he has led, trained and developed teams and small groups for more than twenty years in universities and churches.

His first book, Teams That Thrive: Five Disciplines of Collaborative Church Leadership (with Warren Bird) was published by Intervarsity Press and awarded the 2015 Outreach Magazine Leadership Resource of the Year.

With a heart that beats for discipleship and leadership development, Ryan frequently speaks at conferences, retreats, and seminars; consults with pastors and ministry leaders regarding senior leadership teams, teamwork in ministry, and small-group ministry design and leadership; and writes for numerous church leadership publications including Leadership Journal, Outreach Magazine, and Influence. 

Most importantly, Ryan journeys through life with his wife Jill and four children Halle, Alia, Katelyn and Matthew. They enjoy a full family life, enjoying the mountains of Colorado, rooting for the Broncos, playing board games, and hanging out with family and friends.

DR. COURTNEY W. DAVIS

Courtney Wong Davis (PhD, University of California, Santa Barbara) is associate professor of Communication Management at Azusa Pacific University, where she serves as Program Director and teaches organizational, small group, and professional communication from a biblical worldview.  Courtney’s research has been published in the Nonprofit Management & Leadership, Communication Quarterly, and Southern Communication Journal.

As an executive coach and expert in organizational membership, Courtney has studied and consulted with business organizations, church and parachurch organizations, and other nonprofit organizations.  Courtney coaches executives and organizational leaders to explore creative solutions to complex challenges, clarifying individual values, understanding organizational culture, and facilitating confidence in moving in a new direction.

Her more challenging (and even more rewarding!) work is raising two boys, Luke and Theo, alongside her husband Matt.  Together, they love reading, cooking, serving their local church, riding bikes, playing board games, and enjoying big Saturday sabbath breakfasts and adventures.

JASON A. SNIFF

Jason A. Sniff, (M.A., Baylor University), is Pastor of Small Groups at Eastview Christian Church in Normal, IL. He has been in and around ministry for over 10 years and spent much of that time in developing leaders, ministry, and equipping groups to impact the world around them. Prior to officially working in and on ministry, Jason spent 13 years in higher education at various colleges and universities counseling, discipling, teaching, and training college students to take their next steps.

Jason has authored and co-authored a number of small group resources and studies, and contributed devotional writings for Eastview. More importantly, he is husband to an amazing wife, and the father of 6 very crazy but equally awesome kids. Jason and Team Sniff (the name he gives to his family) live on the edge of Norma...