Group Talk - Small Group Network

A lot has changed since Creating Community, by Andy Stanley and Bill Willits was published 16 years ago describing the North Point Church's vision and strategies for group life. New realities, cultural shifts, technological changes, sociological dynamics, and organizational challenges have caused us to reevaluate our assumptions and strategies about small groups ministries. Listen to Bill share North Point's learnings and how we can adapt strategically and creatively for a thriving small groups ministry today.    Guest: Bill Willits is the Executive Director of Adult Ministry Environments for North Point Ministries (NPM). One of the founding staff members of North Point, Bill is a graduate of Florida State University and Dallas Theological Seminary. He is also the co-author of the book, Creating Community with Andy Stanley, which was re-released in an updated and expanded edition in July, 2021. He and his team have helped connect thousands of adults into the benefits of group life.    NOTES: North Point S

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Being someone in ministry the desire is in all of us to be the one that rescues others, provides them the support, and gives them care they deserve. But in the books, we cover this month on Reading Lenz we discover that being the hero might not be the best way to get our people where we them to be. Join this month's guest Allen White and host Nick Lenzi as they breakdown two hit books Buidling a Storybrand by Donald Miller and Hero Maker by Dave Ferguson and Warren Bird.    Register for our Virtual Lobby Event today! ★ Support this podcast ★

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How can we help people integrate their faith and build community in their workplaces? What is the role of work in our lives? Why is workplace ministry a strategic way to reach people? What are workplace groups, how do they function, and how do we start them?    Guest: Ron Kelleher   Ron Kelleher worked for Procter & Gamble for 36 years in a variety of roles and then transitioned into ministry. He earned a Master of Arts in biblical studies and theology from Talbot seminary and was ordained as a minister in 2012. He’s been serving in various ministries at Saddleback which has been his home church since 1991. Ron founded and led Inspired Leadership Inc which equips and encourages Christian leaders to live out their faith in the marketplace as well as Cross Work Consulting. In 2020, he became the volunteer director of Saddleback’s workplace ministry.    www.saddleback.com/works   Ronk@saddlebackvolunteer.com    Register for our fall Virtual Lobby today!  ★ Support this podcast ★

This week Kevin Lee joins Inside Saddleback. Contact Kevin at KevinL@saddleback.com  The New Digital Edge Article 2021 Connections Retreat   (Marks of a Good Shepherd) From Jesus in John 10 By Rick Warren        GOOD SHEPHERDSGIVE PERSONAL ATTENTION TO INDIVIDUALS “The good shepherd calls his own sheep by name...”  John 10:3                                 GOOD SHEPHERDSLEAD BY EXAMPLE “After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them,...”                                                                          John 10:4a          GOOD SHEPHERDSDEVELOPS TRUST THROUGH RELATIONSHIPS “The sheep follow the good shepherd because they recognize his voice.  They won't follow a stranger.”  John 10:4-5   GOOD SHEPHERDSSACRIFICE FOR THOSE THEY LEAD ‘The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” John 10:11     GOOD SHEPHERDSSTAY WITH THE FLOCK IN TOUGH TIMES “A hired hand will run away when he sees a wolf coming. He will abandon the sheep because they aren't his and he isn't their real sh

Description:  This month we take a break from reading to tackle the breakout TV show Ted Lasso. We have so much to learn from Ted Lasso. He’s the ideal small group point person. He’s humble, curious, and timely. My guest, Ben Reed, and I break down three key lessons we've learned from the show and how they are shaping our leadership and small groups.  Lesson One - Seeing the Best in Everyone (17:47)   Lesson Two - Be Curious (36:18)   Lesson Three - Better Together (48:23)   Get your SGN Coffee today!! ★ Support this podcast ★

How do we move from a homogenous church or group to one that welcomes full participation of people from different ethnicities? Why is it so important for churches to reflect their communities and be ethnically integrated as a reflection of the full Gospel? What can we do in our small groups to help create safe spaces for people to discuss issues related to ethnicity and socioeconomic differences as part of our discipleship?  Listen as Dr. Derwin Gray envisions and calls churches to "grow out of ignorance, classism, racism, and greed into the flourishing, vibrant, and grace-filled communities of believers that God intended."    Guests:  Dr. Derwin Gray & Kristel Avecedo     Bio: Dr. Derwin L. Gray, a former NFL player, is the founding and lead pastor of Transformation Church (TC). Transformation Church is a multiethnic, multigeneration, mission-shaped community in the Charlotte, North Carolina area. Derwin and Vicki have been married for twenty-eight years and have two adult children. Derwin is t

Saddleback Small Groups Website Small Group Network Events 10 Things that for easy engagement ANY Small Group Pastor can do1 Being on Time 2 Work Ethic 3 Effort 4 Body Language 5 Energy 6 Attitude 7 Passion 8 Being Coachable 9 Doing Extra 10 Being Prepared ★ Support this podcast ★

How aligned in your small groups ministry with the rest of your staff? Many in ministry struggle with "buy-in" from senior leadership. But James Browning takes a fairly deep dive into the idea that small group point people would benefit from buying into other ministries in their church. In particular we look at the role of church communication leaders and how to align small groups ministry with church comms. Our guest on this episode is Shawn Gendall. Shawn was born and raised on the Canadian plains, but – following a few years in Arizona – met and married Kelly, a Los Angeles native. Shawn and Kelly have served in student and family ministries for 18 years, all on the Westside. They are grateful parents to Delaney (’03), Caden (’06), and Peyton (’08). The Gendalls typically spend their free time on the bike paths and in the basketball gyms of this beautiful city. Shawn holds a Master of Divinity from Denver Seminary and is currently completing his Doctor of Ministry in Pastoral Leadership. This episode is f

Our small group gatherings shouldn't be repetitive and predictable but rather places where our members and guest can be known and flourish. his month's Reading Lenz features an insightful discussion regarding the book "The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why it Matters" by Priya Parker with Andrew Camp, Carolyn Taketa, and Nick Lenzi ★ Support this podcast ★

Guests:  From Calvary Community Church in Westlake Village, CA  Britt Vargas, High School Ministry Director - brittany.vargas@calvarywestlake.org Connor Johnson, Middle School Pastor - connor.johnson@calvarywestlake.org   https://calvarywestlake.org/middle-school/ https://calvarywestlake.org/high-school/    How do we disciple the next generation through small groups?  Why have student small groups?  What do you look for in student group leaders?  How do you train leaders of various ages and life experiences?  How to connect and develop effective student groups?   How do you handle complicated messy life issues that affect students such as the LGBTQ issues and self-harming behaviors?  ★ Support this podcast ★

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Do you ever feel the ministry you run and the church you work for are on different pages? Or maybe your small groups and care group are fighting for the same leaders? Join us this month as we welcome Nick Schonlau from Third City Christian Chruch in Grand Island, Nebraska to break down the book Silos, Politics and Turf Wars by Patrick Lencioni. It's only a matter of time until you'll find yourself in a silo. Listen in to hear how you can take steps to identify silos and prevent yourself and your groups from finding yourself in one.   Lightning Round Books: Emotionally Healthy Leader by Peter Scazerro Canoeing the Mountain by Tod Bolsinger ★ Support this podcast ★

Guest: James Browning    Bio: James Browning is the new Pastor of Small Group Network Development. He has over 10 years of marketing and digital evangelism experience both in the church world and the corporate space. He is married to Hannah and has two daughters, Eliza and Eleanor. ★ Support this podcast ★

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This month Andrew Camp rejoins Reading Lenz to break down the book How to Lead When You Are Not in Charge by Clay Scroggins   Next month's book Silos, Politics and Turf Wars by Patrick Lencioni   Small Group Network Facebook Group ★ Support this podcast ★