SUMMARY: In this episode, Brian and Chris speak with Allen White about his new book, Exponential Groups: Unleashing Your Church’s Potential, and the importance of increasing the percentage of church members who are not only involved in a group Bible study but are also involved in leading group study. Allen discusses his discovery that most people are already involved in connecting with a group of believers, whether in their church, their community, or their social environment. The best thing for church leaders to do is equip these existing groups with Bible study material and enable the leader to teach them well. Allen shares how church leaders can leverage existing relationships in a way that leads to more groups and to more people getting involved in groups.

In addition, Brian and Chris discuss a blog post by Michael Kelley titled Laying the Cultural Foundations of Your Church and the necessity of a church culture that develops small group leaders who can effectively disciple small group members.

The Groups Matter Podcast is a weekly show designed to resource, train, and encourage small group leaders. Each episode considers current trends and resources as well as timeless truths and methods of discipleship. It is hosted by Brian Daniel, a Bible study and discipleship expert in Lifeway’s Groups Ministry, and Chris Surratt, the small group and discipleship specialist at Lifeway and author of Small Groups For The Rest Of Us.

GUEST: Allen White has devoted the last 25+ years to helping people find Christ, make meaningful connections, grow in their faith, and find fulfillment in ministry. He has successfully launched hundreds of groups at two churches as the Associate Pastor: New Life Christian Center, Turlock, California, for 15 years and Brookwood Church, Simpsonville, South Carolina, for 4 years.

Additionally, in his work with Brett Eastman and Lifetogether, Allen has had the privilege of coaching hundreds of churches of all sizes and denominations over the last 10 years. He has taught workshops for local churches as well as speaking at the Purpose Driven Church Conference at Saddleback Church, the BASS Church Workers Convention, the Willow Creek Association–Canada, and many others.

Allen earned a B.A. in Biblical Studies and Missions and an M.Div. in Christian Education. Allen, his wife Tiffany, and their four children live in Greenville, South Carolina. Find more information from Allen at allenwhite.org at on Twitter: @allenwhite.

EPISODE SPONSOR: This week’s episode is sponsored by SmallGroup.com. SmallGroup.com is an online subscription service that allows churches and group leaders to create customizable, sermon-based group bible studies. Visit the Groups Ministry blog for a quick how-to tutorial, or visit SmallGroup.com to begin your free 2-week preview.

RESOURCES: If you have a question you’d like discussed on our Groups Matter Podcast, please tweet your question to @BcDaniel or @ChrisSurratt.