SG² Steve Gladen on Small Groups

Do you remember your first night at group? Do you remember the message you talked about? Or do you remember how they made you feel? 

We often overlook how we are intentionally welcoming those new to our community and into our groups. On this episode we are joined by hospitality expert, Sarah Neral, who will share with us practical ways we can impact our groups through biblical hospitality.

ABOUT OUR GUEST

Sarah Neral is the Associate Director of Community at Hoboken Grace in Hoboken, NJ. One of Sarah’s biggest joy comes from building community and helping people get connected. A North Carolina native, she joined Hoboken Grace in 2011 when she moved to the NY/NJ area and joined staff in 2015. Prior to Hoboken Grace, Sarah worked in Wealth Management and Philanthropic Solutions with US Trust. When she’s not exploring Hoboken with her husband, CJ, and daughter, Lela Rose, you can find her immersed in a great book, planning a party or hosting a friendly gathering.

SAMPLE EMAIL

Hi NAME,

We are so excited you decided to join our small group.  This will be a great opportunity for you to meet others just like you, who are looking for a space to connect, to talk, to listen and to become closer to God.

We will come together every WEEK DAY from  ENTER TIME. We'll be meeting SHARE DETAILS.

Please feel free to invite others to join our group. Amazing things happen when we come together.  

I left my number below if you have any questions. 

See you next WEEK DAY!

Thanks,

YOUR NAME

555-555-5555

SAMPLE TEXT

Hey THEIR NAME — This is YOUR NAME. Just sent you an email about our group. If you have need anything don’t be afraid to text.

Join us for Lobby 2022! Sign up today!

• Group Launch (Update)
• • Rick video and small group testimony
  • Customizing Campuses
  • Learnings
  • Sharpen communication
  • Stop distractions
  • Empower the campus creativity…kind of  Picture
  • Innovation was off the charts
  • GROUP Method IBS born
• CL Launch (Update)
• • 5 modules
  • • Module One: Being an Intentional Shepherd
    • Module Two: Intentional Shepherding and Spiritual Presence
    • Module Three: Graceful Conversations
    • Module Four: Asking Insightful and Inspired Questions
    • Module Five: Resources to help you
  • All Day training at the Ranch…starting push to train all 350 CL’s

• Growth Page over 50k, FB Group approaching 10k,
• • UPDATE Virtual Lobby going global in 2022
  • New course to follow: Leadership Essentials 
• Physical Lobby February 22 to 24, 2022
• • 15 Year Anniversary—everyone attending gets our commemorative coin
  • New Format: Tracks—New, Veterans, church size
  • 2 challenge talks for groups you aren’t thinking about
• ATTAIN (for small group leaders)  launching 2022 in DC, Nashville, Dallas and Orlando

• Leadership Development—follow me to die for me
• Leaders—Engaging Phase to Equipping Phase to Empowering Phase to Energizing Phase
• • HOST Today
  • Leader Tomorrow
  • Minister Forever
• CL’s—FRIEND to be a LEADER to be a COACH
• Staff—Push the Residence thought with Intern Program and course

1. Do we have enough groups?
2. How is our customer service?
3. How is the spiritual health of our individuals and groups?

• The 4 helpful list from Tom Patterson’s Organization. With the pandemic subsiding, now is a good time to get perspective on where your existing and new groups are at regarding health and continuity of where you want to go with groups. Ask their story before you begin

1. What’s healthy in small groups?
2. What’s unhealthy? (needs to change)
3. What’s confusing (needs clarity)
4. What’s missing (needs to be added)

• Health Assessment 
• New Leadership Course 
• Lobby Gathering 2022
• Small Group Leadership Training Kit 
• Small Group Network Internship 
• Social Justice, CRT article 
• Small Group Testimony Video
• Pastor Rick's Request Video

As groups people we are always faced with the challenge to communicate ideas, tips, and hacks to help our people lead to the best of their abilities. So how do we communicate those ideas so that they will stick? What is it that makes it memorable so that those we are leading take an actionable step? This month’s episode of Reading Lenz with @Nick Lenzi is joined by @JW Hilliard from @Southside Church in Peachtree City, GA - tune in as they break down the book Made to Stick by Chip and Dan Heath and learn why some ideas thrive and others die. 

TODAY’S BOOK

Made to Stick by Chip and Dan Heath.

SHOW NOTES

The Six Principles of Success

1. Simple
2. Unexpected
3. Concrete
4. Credible
5. Emotional
6. Stories

ABOUT OUR GUEST

Passionate about empowering others to live boldly for Jesus through biblical community, JW serves as a Groups Director at Southside Church in Peachtree City, GA. He enjoys hiking, coffee, good books, and great conversations. He's blessed to serve Jesus through the local church and to share life with his amazing wife Melissa and two awesome sons Cade and Zechariah.

Join us February 22-24, 2022 at our Lobby Gathering!!

Couples groups are uniquely positioned to positively influence individuals and strengthen marriages as marital issues are shared in an environment of grace and trust. What are tips for leading couples groups that build safe and meaningful spaces? How can group members come alongside one another to strengthen their marriages? What are the landmines to avoid when leading a couples group? Pop in and listen to veteran group leaders Rick (psychologist) and Sheri Blackmon (Bible teacher and pastor), married for 40+ years, share their wisdom and experiences from leading young marrieds to empty nester groups.  

Guests: Rick Blackmon, PhD in Clinical Psychology and Sheri Blackmon, MDiv Fuller Theological Seminary

Rick Blackmon PhD (Fuller Theological Seminary) is a clinical psychologist in private practice for 35+ years. He specializes in working with adults, marriages, and clergy on their own emotional and spiritual growth. Rick taught a course at Fuller Theological Seminary for 22 years on clergy growth and has led many seminars on marital issues throughout his career. 

Sheri Blackmon has BAs in English Literature and Religious Studies from Westmont College and an MDiv degree from Fuller Theological Seminary. She was ordained as pastor in the Presbyterian Church (USA) where she served for 15 years mainly as Associate Pastor, which included small groups ministry. Sheri moved into Christian education at an independent college preparatory 6-12 school for 19+ years as founding member, chaplain, department chair, and teacher. She blogs about “finding your footing and purpose in a life disrupter” at https://lifeafterwhy.com/ 

• Group Launch
• • Rick's email
  • Customizable Campuses
  • • each of the 19 campuses doing their own October emphasis.
    • Felt need THEN find curriculum--relevant
• Community Group Launch
• • 5 modules
  • • Module One: Being an Intentional Shepherd
    • Module Two: Intentional Shepherding and Spiritual Presence
    • Module Three: Graceful Conversations
    • Module Four: Asking Insightful and Inspired Questions
    • Module Five: Resources to help you
  • All Day training at the Ranch
• SGP Growth
• • New Leadership Development Pathway
  • Listen to Reading Lenz….

• Virtual Lobby is Back! Leadership Development (October 7th)
• • Go through each speaker
  • Go over the breakouts
• smallgroupnetwork.com/virtuallobby
• New course to follow: Leadership Essentials (share details)
• Physical Lobby February 22 to 24, 2022. 
• • 15 Year Anniversary—everyone attending gets our commemorative coin
  • New Format: Tracks—New, Veterans, church size
  • 2 challenge talks for groups you aren’t thinking about

• How to Manage a God Give Dream coming out of the pandemic. 
• Develop disciplined
• Choose Service to serve others
• Remember who owns the dream
• Learn to forgive
• Tests and Responses
• What to do at the point of change—retreat or move forward
• Plan for the future 
• Dream Inhibitors
• • 3 Trends Shaping the Post-Pandemic Church
  • Feel like 2021 has been harder than 2020 on you as a leader? You're right. Here's why

• Uncertainty and Unrest Cause Major Shifts. From the online church revolution, to socially-distanced small groups, the landscape of Christian faith and worship in America has been deeply disrupted in the past year…in a good way! The strain of the ongoing pandemic and civil unrest in our nation continues to alter every aspect of life including personal relationships, church participation, and engagement with Scripture.

 However, despite the troubles we are experiencing, there are signs of hope and great opportunity when it comes to the Bible.
• Great opportunity for 40 Days in the Word—January 2022!!!! LINK

Are you a small group leader? Or considering becoming a small group leader? Whether you have years of experience or you've been asked to give church groups a try for the first time, this is our miniseries on How To Be A Small Group Leader.

Each episode shares insights and tips from small group pastors and point people around the country, sharing the training that they give their own small group leaders. Learn from experienced leaders on how to build a lasting discipleship community that will transform each member, more into the image of Christ, and build lifelong relationships.

For more information on being a groups leader or even a groups point person, visit smallgroupnetwork.com and best of all of, for quick answers, fun ideas, and a community of people just like you, visit our facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/SGNContact

Are you a small group leader? Or considering becoming a small group leader? Whether you have years of experience or you've been asked to give church groups a try for the first time, this is our miniseries on How To Be A Small Group Leader.

Each episode shares insights and tips from small group pastors and point people around the country, sharing the training that they give their own small group leaders. Learn from experienced leaders on how to build a lasting discipleship community that will transform each member, more into the image of Christ, and build lifelong relationships.

For more information on being a groups leader or even a groups point person, visit smallgroupnetwork.com and best of all of, for quick answers, fun ideas, and a community of people just like you, visit our facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/SGNContact