SG² Steve Gladen on Small Groups

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

Q What are the emerging trends in small group ministry? How are millennials viewing small group ministry? What are wholistic small groups? If you or anyone on your team are asking these questions, then you’ve come to the right place!

Mike Mack has been involved in discipleship and small group ministry for more than 25 years, most recently at Northeast Christian Church in Louisville, KY. He founded SmallGroups.com in 1996 and has led small group training seminars across the US as well as in Canada and Brazil. He is a consultant and leads a ministry called small group leadership and is the author of eight books about small groups and discipleship, most recently, “World’s Greatest Small Group.” He is currently an adjunct professor at Cincinnati Christian University and teaches a class on Small Group Ministry & Discipling.

In this month’s “Group Talk” podcast, host Carolyn Taketa discusses the following topics with Michael in this exclusive interview…

• How millennials are viewing small groups in today's culture
• How to leverage the connections you already have in your life to do groups
• Train and trust: how to have a balanced leadership structure in ministry
• Wholistic groups and emerging trends in small group ministry 
• How to have the worlds greatest small group

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 What are the emerging trends in small group ministry? How are millennials viewing small group ministry? What are wholistic small groups? If you or anyone on your team are asking these questions, then you’ve come to the right place!

Mike Mack has been involved in discipleship and small group ministry for more than 25 years, most recently at Northeast Christian Church in Louisville, KY. He founded SmallGroups.com in 1996 and has led small group training seminars across the US as well as in Canada and Brazil. He is a consultant and leads a ministry called small group leadership and is the author of eight books about small groups and discipleship, most recently, “World’s Greatest Small Group.” He is currently an adjunct professor at Cincinnati Christian University and teaches a class on Small Group Ministry & Discipling.

In this month’s “Group Talk” podcast, host Carolyn Taketa discusses the following topics with Michael in this exclusive interview…

• How millennials are viewing small groups in today's culture
• How to leverage the connections you already have in your life to do groups
• Train and trust: how to have a balanced leadership structure in ministry
• Wholistic groups and emerging trends in small group ministry 
• How to have the worlds greatest small group

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

In this episode, Eric Falcinella asks Steve a very important question while he was sitting alone drinking a coffee at Starbucks. It was a great impromptu conversation. Enjoy!

In this episode, Eric Falcinella asks Steve a very important question while he was sitting alone drinking a coffee at Starbucks. It was a great impromptu conversation. Enjoy!

Three Seasons of Ministry: What I Wish I Had Known

Part 3: Sustaining 

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.

In part 3 of this 3 part “Group Talk” podcast series, host Carolyn Taketa interviews Steve on the following topics in this exciting interview about 5 things to pay attention to in each season of ministry.

• How to build a board of directors that can help navigate & sustain life & ministry
• How to pour into & equip other churches & leaders
• Learning to trust, yet verify
• How to be aware of tunnel vision
• How to stay hungry for the long haul

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

Three Seasons of Ministry: What I Wish I Had Known

Part 3: Sustaining 

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.

In part 3 of this 3 part “Group Talk” podcast series, host Carolyn Taketa interviews Steve on the following topics in this exciting interview about 5 things to pay attention to in each season of ministry.

• How to build a board of directors that can help navigate & sustain life & ministry
• How to pour into & equip other churches & leaders
• Learning to trust, yet verify
• How to be aware of tunnel vision
• How to stay hungry for the long haul

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

Three Seasons of Ministry: What I Wish I Had Known

Part 2: Stabilizing

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 been 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.

In part 2 of this 3 part “Group Talk” podcast series, host Carolyn Taketa interviews Steve on the following topics in this exciting interview about 5 things to pay attention to in each season of ministry.

• Learning to understand and flow with your church culture
• Creating a blue-print for your ministry and knowing what to focus on
• Stopping drift and staying true to your metrics
• Remembering your calling and overcoming insecurities
• Growing your volunteer leadership team

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

Three Seasons of Ministry: What I Wish I Had Known

Part 2: Stabilizing

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 been 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.

In part 2 of this 3 part “Group Talk” podcast series, host Carolyn Taketa interviews Steve on the following topics in this exciting interview about 5 things to pay attention to in each season of ministry.

• Learning to understand and flow with your church culture
• Creating a blue-print for your ministry and knowing what to focus on
• Stopping drift and staying true to your metrics
• Remembering your calling and overcoming insecurities
• Growing your volunteer leadership team

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

Three Seasons of Ministry: What I Wish I Had Known

Part 1: Starting

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 been 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.

In part 1 of this 3 part “Group Talk” podcast series, host Carolyn Taketa interviews Steve on the following topics in this exciting interview about 5 things to pay attention to in each season of ministry.

• The main objectives to focus on in year one of being a new small group point person.
• Building trust with your senior leadership (Listen to Steve discuss this more.) 
• Taking time to develop a blue-print for your ministry 
• Staring out with small steps
• The 5 phases of changing church culture 
• Building relationships & finding the right mentors to support you

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