SG² Steve Gladen on Small Groups

If we were to ask you, “what are your top 3 challenges in your small groups ministry?” One of your answers would probably be related to getting new leaders or starting new groups! Whether you are launching a new small groups ministry at your church or growing an existing one, it can only happen when you have new people stepping up to lead or host a group. So what are some practical strategies we can use to start new groups and get new leaders?

Adam Workman is the Discipleship Pastor at Sandals Church, a multi-site church in Riverside, CA where he has been serving for 3 years. Previously, he was in groups ministry in Maryland and Pennsylvania. He has been a groups pastor for 14 years. Adam is also the Southern California and Hawaii Regional Leader for the Small Group Network. 

Host Carolyn Taketa asks Adam the following questions and more in this exclusive interview…

• What are some practical strategies we can use to start new groups?
• What are some practical strategies we can use to get new leaders?

Just click the play button at the top of this post to enjoy this insightful discussion! To subscribe to our Group Talk Podcast, click HERE

Q Are you feeling burnt-out as a ministry leader? Q Do you know other ministry leaders who are on the edge of burn-out? If so, you've come to the right place...

The greatest gift you can give those you lead is your own healthy soul. So often, as pastors and Christian leaders, we get weary and depleted behind the scenes even while our ministries are thriving and successful. The statistics on pastors struggling with depression, anxiety, and burnout are alarming.

Lance Witt is the founder of a ministry called REPLENISH, which has been around for 10 years. It is dedicated to helping people live and lead from a healthy soul. Prior to starting Replenish, Lance served 20 years as a senior pastor and another 7 years as an Executive/Teaching pastor at Saddleback Church in Southern California. He led Saddleback’s small group Campaigns, such as 40 Days of Purpose and 40 Days of Community. Currently, along with speaking, consulting and training, Lance does Life Plans, individual coaching, and staff training and development. He has published a book called Replenish and is currently working on a new book on High Impact teams to be released in 2018. 

Host Carolyn Taketa asks Lance the following questions and more in this exclusive interview...

• So how do we care for ourselves in such a way that we minister from a healthy soul?
• What are the warning signs to look for?
• What spiritual disciplines and practical activities help us replenish our souls and keep us flourishing both in ministry and in our personal lives? 

Just click the play button at the top of this post to enjoy this insightful discussion! To subscribe to our Group Talk Podcast, click HERE

Q Are you feeling burnt-out as a ministry leader? Q Do you know other ministry leaders who are on the edge of burn-out? If so, you've come to the right place...

The greatest gift you can give those you lead is your own healthy soul. So often, as pastors and Christian leaders, we get weary and depleted behind the scenes even while our ministries are thriving and successful. The statistics on pastors struggling with depression, anxiety, and burnout are alarming.

Lance Witt is the founder of a ministry called REPLENISH, which has been around for 10 years. It is dedicated to helping people live and lead from a healthy soul. Prior to starting Replenish, Lance served 20 years as a senior pastor and another 7 years as an Executive/Teaching pastor at Saddleback Church in Southern California. He led Saddleback’s small group Campaigns, such as 40 Days of Purpose and 40 Days of Community. Currently, along with speaking, consulting and training, Lance does Life Plans, individual coaching, and staff training and development. He has published a book called Replenish and is currently working on a new book on High Impact teams to be released in 2018. 

Host Carolyn Taketa asks Lance the following questions and more in this exclusive interview...

• So how do we care for ourselves in such a way that we minister from a healthy soul?
• What are the warning signs to look for?
• What spiritual disciplines and practical activities help us replenish our souls and keep us flourishing both in ministry and in our personal lives? 

Just click the play button at the top of this post to enjoy this insightful discussion! To subscribe to our Group Talk Podcast, click HERE

"What will our groups study?" This is a common question in groups ministry and one that is critically important in shaping the dynamics and discipleship process of a group. The sermon based model has been increasingly popular over the past decade and can be a valuable tool to helping groups get into Scripture with one another in practical, life-changing ways. In this conversation with Dave Ennes, we unpack the what, why, and how of the sermon-based model.

Dave has been on staff at North Coast Church (the Sticky Church) since 1990 and is the lead pastor of their Small Groups Ministry. He oversees a team of 25 staff, 1,500 lay leaders and over 7,000 who attend their home groups. Under Dave’s leadership, North Coast remains well-known for maintaining over 80% adult participation in weekly home groups. He has also played an integral role in helping North Coast grow from 700 to now over 12,000 weekend attendees. Given Dave’s decades of experience, his coaching and training has been valuable for small group leaders and veteran ministry leaders around the country, no matter the size or type of ministry. Host Carolyn Taketa asks Dave the following questions and more in this exclusive interview!

• What are the basic aspects of the sermon based small group model?
• What are the advantages of using sermon based curriculums for small groups?
• What are the challenges of the sermon based model?

Just click the play button at the top of this post to enjoy this insightful discussion! To subscribe to our Group Talk Podcast, click HERE

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Are you a member of our Facebook Group? Benefits include connecting with other small group ministry leaders world-wide, sharing ideas, asking questions and receiving insightful resources! To join this amazing community, click HERE

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"What will our groups study?" This is a common question in groups ministry and one
that is critically important in shaping the dynamics and discipleship process of a
group. The sermon based model has been increasingly popular over the past decade
and can be a valuable tool to helping groups get into Scripture with one another
in practical, life-changing ways. In this conversation with Dave Ennes, we unpack
the what, why, and how of the sermon-based model.

Dave has been on staff at North Coast Church (the Sticky Church) since 1990 and is the lead pastor of their Small Groups Ministry. He oversees a team of 25 staff, 1,500 lay leaders and over 7,000 who attend their home groups. Under Dave’s leadership, North Coast remains well-known for maintaining over 80% adult participation in weekly home groups. He has also played an integral role in
helping North Coast grow from 700 to now over 12,000 weekend attendees. Given Dave’s decades of experience, his coaching and training has been valuable for
small group leaders and veteran ministry leaders around the country, no matter the
size or type of ministry. Host Carolyn Taketa asks Dave the following questions and more in this exclusive interview!

• What are the basic aspects of the sermon based small group model?
• What are the advantages of using sermon based curriculums for small groups?
• What are the challenges of the sermon based model?

Just click the play button at the top of this post to enjoy this insightful discussion! To subscribe to our Group Talk Podcast, click HERE

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Are you a member of our Facebook Group? Benefits include connecting with other small group ministry leaders world-wide, sharing ideas, asking questions and receiving insightful resources! To join this amazing community, click HERE

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Words are powerful. As small group pastors and directors, a critical part of our role is to use words to shape vision, empower, encourage, and connect with people. But, is the terminology you are using in your ministry inadvertently creating barriers, limiting vision, and miscommunicating expectations?

Andrew Mason is the Small Groups Pastor at Real Life Church in Sacramento, CA and the founder of SmallGroupChurches.com. Andrew also serves as the Small Group Network's NorCal Regional Leader and has started multiple "Huddles." Listen to this engaging conversation between Host Carolyn Taketa and Andrew as they tackle common words (e.g., leader, coach, training) used in Small Group ministries and examine the intended and unintended consequences of those words!

Just click the play button at the top of this post to enjoy this insightful discussion! To subscribe to our Group Talk Podcast, click HERE

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Are you a member of our Facebook Group? Benefits include connecting with other small group ministry leaders world-wide, sharing ideas, asking questions and receiving insightful resources! To join this amazing community, click HERE

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Words are powerful. As small group pastors and directors, a critical part of our role is to use words to shape vision, empower, encourage, and connect with people. But, is the terminology you are using in your ministry inadvertently creating barriers, limiting vision, and miscommunicating expectations?

Andrew Mason is the Small Groups Pastor at Real Life Church in Sacramento, CA and the founder of SmallGroupChurches.com. Andrew also serves as the Small Group Network's NorCal Regional Leader and has started multiple "Huddles." Listen to this engaging conversation between Host Carolyn Taketa and Andrew as they tackle common words (e.g., leader, coach, training) used in Small Group ministries and examine the intended and unintended consequences of those words!

Just click the play button at the top of this post to enjoy this insightful discussion! To subscribe to our Group Talk Podcast, click HERE

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Are you a member of our Facebook Group? Benefits include connecting with other small group ministry leaders world-wide, sharing ideas, asking questions and receiving insightful resources! To join this amazing community, click HERE

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What does it take for women to flourish in ministry?  If you or anyone on your team are asking these questions, then you’ve come to the right place!

Host Carolyn Taketa interviews Awana CEO and SGN Lobby Conference speaker, Valerie Bell on her insights based on decades of ministry in various leadership settings. This lively conversation addresses a variety of issues concerning women in leadership such as leading through influence rather than title, mentoring, gaining credibility, timing and opportunities, responding to God's calling, the Billy Graham rule, the spiritual practice of "Christ between us," balancing work and parenting, and other challenges.

Just click the play button at the top of this post to enjoy this insightful discussion! To subscribe to our Group Talk Podcast, click HERE

What does it take for women to flourish in ministry?  If you or anyone on your team are asking these questions, then you’ve come to the right place!

Host Carolyn Taketa interviews Awana CEO and SGN Lobby Conference speaker, Valerie Bell on her insights based on decades of ministry in various leadership settings. This lively conversation addresses a variety of issues concerning women in leadership such as leading through influence rather than title, mentoring, gaining credibility, timing and opportunities, responding to God's calling, the Billy Graham rule, the spiritual practice of "Christ between us," balancing work and parenting, and other challenges.

Just click the play button at the top of this post to enjoy this insightful discussion! To subscribe to our Group Talk Podcast, click HERE

Steve Gladen has served as the Global Pastor of Small Groups at Saddleback Church since 1998. He oversees the strategic launch and development of over 7,000 adult small groups on multiple campuses. Steve has authored “Small Groups With Purpose,” which has translated into eight languages to date, and “Leading Small Groups With Purpose.” Steve is also the Founder of the Small Group Network (SGN) giving influence and oversight to all the SGN initiatives.

This special episode of "Group Talk" was recorded live at "The Lobby" conference in SoCal in early March with a live audience. Host Carolyn Taketa sits down with Steve Gladen and asks him an array of questions ranging from broad ministry philosophy to specific small group strategies. There are many moments of humor throughout that you will not want to miss!

Just click the play button at the top of this post to enjoy this insightful discussion! To subscribe to our Group Talk Podcast, click HERE

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We’ve noticed that most of the practical learnings and best practices you bring home from a Small Group conference were shared “in the lobby” with other Small Group Ministry Leaders rather than from the main stage. It’s in the Lobby that you can engage in an in-depth conversation about real-life issues in your Small Group Ministry. The Small Group Network One Day Lobby Gathering – Tennessee will intentionally facilitate these types of interactions. REGISTER