Smalltop

With apologies to Guy Kawasaki (Alltop), here are the “top” (in my opinion) blogs related to small group ministry and “thinking small.” If yours is not on here, it may be because you haven’t posted since Christmas 2006 or I couldn’t find your RSS feed. Know a blog that should be represented on this page? Let me know at dtreat@thinkingsmall.net.

Wineskins for Discipleship Heather Zempel The Circle of Proteges8 September 2010, 3:52 pm The circle of life brings us to the end of one Protege year and the beginning of another. We started the Protege Program at National Community Church a couple years ago to bring greater intentionality to our intern programming and opportunities. Basically, we bring on 5-6 people each year to serve on our team without pay. And when I say serve, I mean serve. Sometimes back-breaking, sometimes energizing, sometimes mind-numbing, sometimes mind-blowing. You can check out some of what our last class... Group Life South3 September 2010, 5:24 pm I love small groups. And I love the South. So I can't think of anywhere I'd rather be or anything I'd rather be doing...well...any day of the week. But for the purposes of this post, I can't think of a better place to be on October 16 than at Group Life South. We'll talk about what we do when we realize that community is messy and discipleship is hard. I'm personally looking forward to connecting with and hearing from group life gurus Eddie Mosley and Dave Treat.If you are a small group leader (... Be a Triple Threat3 September 2010, 3:53 pm I just got through reading Alan Danielson's Triple Threat Leadership. Again. It's worth the second read. In this e-book, Alan shares the essentials of game-changing leadership. If you can hold your nose and gag your way through his ridiculous obsession with the Dallas Cowboys, there really is some good material in here. (You know I love you, Alan. I just don't love all of your obsessions. Star Wars, okay. Dallas football, not okay)In this quick, easy, and very practical read, Alan lays out leade... The Prophets Repeat2 September 2010, 2:09 pm When people start talking about the Old Testament prophets, I often find myself in a very small minority. Common frustrations include their repetitiveness, their focus on the harsher attributes of God, the gloom and doom, their lack of Gospel oriented messages. But I find them fascinating and hopeful for all of those same reasons.Let's take the repetitiveness issue. The prophets tend to repeat themselves. Over and over and over. And over again. We read about "the day of the Lord" about a bajilli... A Good Icebreaker: The Concert2 September 2010, 12:53 pm I have a love-hate relationship with the concept of icebreakers in small groups. I hate most of them. Can't conversation over hummus and veggies break the ice enough?I do have a few favorites, though. Here is one:If you could go to any concert in the history of the world, what would it be?Big thanks to Bill Search of Simple Small Groups for that one.... Wear Out the Mat31 August 2010, 7:30 pm Last week, I talked about carrying the mat. Another dimension of community is wearing out the mat. I blogged about this previously under a post entitled "Wear Out Your Welcome." If the welcome mat at your front door is not getting enough action, it might be time to rethink your practice of community.Ryan and I have an old, ratty, worn out welcome mat at our door. Granted, it's time to change the thing. But for us, it's a reminder that we are called to be people who practice hospitality. Not peop... Carry the Mat25 August 2010, 7:35 pm Community requires physical exertion. It costs us our sweat.One of my absolute favorite stories about the sweat of community is found in Mark, chapter 2.Mark 2:1-5Several days later Jesus returned to Capernaum, and the news of his arrival spread quickly through the town. Soon the house where he was staying was so packed with visitors that there wasn't room for one more person, not even outside the door. And he preached the word to them. Four men arrived carrying a paralyzed man on a mat. They ... The Final Apologetic24 August 2010, 2:40 pm On the night of his crucifixion, Jesus looked forward to that day. He prayed that his disciples would be “one.” (John 17:20-21)The second part of Jesus’ prayer was that “the world may know.”In a similar manner, Jesus told his disciples in John 13:34-35, “So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”When was the last time you and your circl... Jesus' Dying Wish23 August 2010, 12:53 pm Do you know what Jesus prayed for on the night of his betrayal, arrest, and crucifixion? Us.In John 17, we read one of the prayers that Jesus prayed for his disciples:"I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.""That they will be one." About 10 years ago, I rea... Perspective23 August 2010, 4:07 am Perspective: a: the interrelation in which a subject or its parts are mentally viewed; also : point of view b : the capacity to view things in their true relations or relative importance.Mark Batterson has a formula that we use a lot around NCC:Change of Place + Change of Pace = Change of PerspectiveI experienced that in some pretty profound ways last week. I found myself outside my normal ministry context, on a different schedule, interacting with some giants in the faith of our generation. And...	AlanDanielson.TV Alan Danielson Adultery In Small Groups9 September 2010, 9:00 am Last weekend at LifeChurch.tv Craig Groeschel delivered a powerful message about adultery.  Here’s the link for those of you who haven’t yet seen it.  Anyway, it made me think about the sad stories I’ve encountered about small group members having affairs with each other. It doesn’t surprise me that people within small groups might find [...]... People Hate Feedback!8 September 2010, 9:00 am But all of you, leaders and followers alike, are to be down to earth with each other, for— “God has had it with the proud, But takes delight in just plain people.” ~1 Peter 5:5 (MSG) Organizations need avenues for honest, humble feedback.  One of those avenues is the hiring process.  New hires must know [...]... Eliminating Leadership Liabilities7 September 2010, 9:00 am All leaders have strengths, weaknesses and liabilities. Most leadership books and experts agree that leaders should maximize their own strengths and manage their weaknesses. However, I don’t hear too many experts talking today about eliminating leadership liabilities. This is because too many people don’t understand the difference between weaknesses and liabilities. A weakness is something [...]... Attractional vs. Missional…why the debate?6 September 2010, 9:00 am Originally posted June 24, 2009.  Reposted September 6, 2010 There’s a debate going in the church world right now about “Attractional” ministry and “Missional” ministry.  The debate is nothing new, but here’s my attempt at simplifying and understanding the debate (some of you may think I’m over-simplifying). “Attractional” reflects the mindset that capitalizes on the [...]... Alienated By Your Bias2 September 2010, 9:00 am Originally posted July 20, 2009.  Reposted September 2, 2010. —————————————————————————— Small Groups are primarily about growing in three areas: our relationship with Christ (discipleship), our relationship with one another (community), and our relationship with the world (mission). I say “primarily” because these are the three ... Click Clique1 September 2010, 9:00 am It’s important for people in a small group to “click” but it’s destructive if they “clique”. Here’s what I mean: one of Satan’s sneakiest strategies is to take God’s beautiful creations and pervert them. Relationships are no exception. Satan wishes to distort them, make them ugly and divisive. Relationships are perverted in this way when [...]... Why Jesus Wouldn’t Win The Nobel Peace Prize31 August 2010, 9:00 am Originally posted, October 19, 2009.  Reposted August 31, 2010. ——————————————————————————– A friend of mine named Joe mentioned that this topic would make a good blog post. I considered what would be the best way to treat this potentially controversial subject and opted to write a simple list of points with some concluding thoughts. 6... Social Networking Gospel30 August 2010, 9:00 am The first half of the 2nd chapter of Mark contains a curious pairing of evangelistic stories:  the healing of a paraplegic man and the calling of Levi (Matthew).  When the paraplegic was brought to Jesus he didn’t first heal his body. Rather, Jesus first forgave his sin. Many Christians today have watered down missions until [...]... A Book You MUST Read!26 August 2010, 9:00 am The book, Missional Small Groups by Scott Boren is one of my new favorites!  As most of my readers know, I’m an unusual figure in the small group movement because I’m not overly passionate about Bible studies, prayer or fellowship.  Rather, I’m most passionate about small groups being on mission!  As such, this book is [...]... A Group Pastor’s Dream Job!25 August 2010, 9:00 am If you’re a looking for a great small group/discipleship position at a church (or you know someone who is), this post is for you!  There’s a fantastic church in Morristown, NJ looking for a new Spiritual Growth Pastor.  Liquid Church, led by founding pastor Tim Lucas, is just a short train ride from the heart of [...]...	thinking small Dave Treat Culture Shock6 August 2010, 2:18 pm There are a lot of similarities between my last home, Chicago, and my new home in Northern Alabama. Chicago has its own music group: Chicago. Alabama has one, too: Alabama. Chicago has its own song: Sweet Home Chicago. Alabama has Sweet Home Alabama. In Chicago, Wind Chill subtracts from the actual temperature to make it [...]... Rocket Town6 June 2010, 10:08 am Huntsville, Alabama is an interesting place. It was best known as the Watercress Capital of the World until Werner Von Braun and his peers landed there in 1950. They were the original Rocket Boys, and you’ve seen their handiwork. Their Saturn V boosted Apollo into orbit and ultimately got us to the moon. Huntsville is [...]... Jesus the Socialist30 March 2010, 1:04 pm Straying from Group Life a bit today. I’m sure you’ve never had a discussion like this in your small group… I love Twitter. I’ve learned a lot by listening to my network of peers and watching the thoughts of great ministry leaders go whizzing by. A growing trend, however, is to simply post quotes from [...]... Patrick: Saint and Small Group Pioneer15 March 2010, 5:25 pm Patrick may or may not be a saint. It’s above my pay grade and out of my evangelical comfort zone to determine that one. He was certainly a godly man, a relational genius, and ministry innovator. One thing he wasn’t, was Irish. Patrick was born in Britain late in the fourth century AD. Captured by [...]... What Apprentices Aren’t1 March 2010, 1:08 am I just finished a series of posts for smallgroups.com. They were all answers to common questions, like “is there a best way to train new small group leaders?” I won’t spoil my answer except to say “Yes, there is: apprenticeship.” That post describes what apprentices are. This one describes what they aren’t. It’s important to [...]... Technology and Small Groups, Part Two25 February 2010, 12:08 am Continuing from the last post… here are some additional ideas on how technology can support small groups: An exciting recent development is the maturing of online video chat services like Skype and TokBox. Plagued for years by spotty service and poor video quality, they’re now ready for prime time. Live video has a “face-to-face” benefit [...]... Technology and Small Groups, Part One20 February 2010, 6:20 pm This week my friend Reid Smith asked me if I had any thoughts on how technology could support community. I started jotting down some ideas and before long had quite a list! In fact, we’ll split it into two posts. Here goes… Technology can revolutionize routine communication. A FaceBook page (and messages to fans) can [...]... Ambushed by Reality (3 of 3)22 January 2010, 8:17 pm A friend once lamented that people seemed to be the root of all his problems. If only he didn’t have to  interact with people day-in and day-out, most of his problems would vanish. He surprised himself when he realized what he was actually thinking: “If only I could pastor a church with no people…” We [...]... Ambushed by Reality (2 of 3)15 January 2010, 5:56 pm Progress, either abysmal or exceptional, can derail your strategic plans. External factors can easily impede our progress. Year-end donations are less than expected… by half. A key staff member experiences a moral failure… or a family crisis… or a better offer. Your lease is unexpectedly terminated. You thought that your efforts and resources would be [...]... Ambushed by Reality7 January 2010, 7:50 pm We’re one week into a brand-new decade. I hate to burst your bubble so quickly, but the Strategic Plan you so carefully crafted over the past couple of months is already obsolete. The sad fact is that you and your team spent hours (or days… or weeks) off-site to stay on-target. You got everybody up [...]...
The Naked Truth About Small Group Ministry Randall Neighbour How to choose life-changing discipleship resources9 September 2010, 9:57 pm ... Group Curriculum: The good, the bad, and the ugly24 August 2010, 3:23 pm ... Deep Friendship: Far too rare in the West18 August 2010, 5:49 pm ... Are you a "birder"?5 August 2010, 5:37 pm ... Avery Willis2 August 2010, 2:53 pm ... Video Interview, Part 111 July 2010, 4:20 pm ... Cell group multiplication myths and misstatements - Here's the truth!8 July 2010, 2:33 pm ... FREE ebook of the month club!1 July 2010, 5:03 pm ... Free iPad drawing. Are you in?25 June 2010, 11:57 am ... Are you creative?21 June 2010, 3:41 pm ...	2orMore Reid Smith Overlapping Networks to Further God's Mission25 March 2010, 1:38 pm Local churches and parachurch organizations must continue developing partnerships to advance The Great Commission and social networking is critical to that process. Leadership and social circles must overlap and interact for effective Kingdom collaboration. The more this happens, the more leaders can use the influence God has given to them to advance His purposes on earth.Here are some online tools that can help in this process (unless otherwise noted, all tools below are “.com”):Social Netw... Benefits & Challenges in Using Technology to Build Community12 March 2010, 10:11 pm There are a lot of benefits to using technology to build community. But there are challenges as well. Although I believe technology can be used to magnify the ministry & mission of the Church, I don’t believe it satisfies every dimension of human need and communication like human touch. But it comes pretty close.I’ve tried to outline what I see as some of the benefits and challenges of using technology to enhance people’s experience of community:BENEFITS• Connect real-time anytime... Technology & Community-Building5 March 2010, 3:16 pm Can technology help small group ministry point leaders build community? Do you see it as something that enhances or competes with what you do?If you’re hesitant, skeptical, or even curious – wondering how to use technology to grow biblical community – then I hope this article will help you envision possibilities of what you could do using tools that have never been available until now.Today, there are more people connected online than ever before. The use of technology is on the rise all a... Small Group Summit1 March 2010, 2:51 am 10:30 a.m. to Noon (CST) Thursday, Feb 18, 2010 Sign Up Now! For the first time ever, eight major leaders in the small group movement will be on one stage to answer your questions about small groups. And you can watch it online from the comfort of your office or home. This free live event, sponsored by Small Group Life, runs from 10:30 a.m. to Noon (CST) on Thursday, Feb 18, 2010. Special guests include some of today’s most well-known leaders in small group ministry and the next generation�... Missional Small Groups1 March 2010, 12:55 am While I was at LifeWay's 2010 Small Group Summit, I was asked: How do we help our groups be missional? Ben Reed recorded my answer on Rick Howerton's new blog: Small Group World.Here are some of my notes in response to this question:Because "missional" is a word being used in so many circles, it would be good to bring some definition to it: "Missional" is not so much of an activity as it is a heart attitude, a lifestyle - a life motivated by the compelling compassion of God that demonstrates its... Small Group Summit 201020 February 2010, 1:44 pm We have spent the week in Nashville with ten major leaders in the small group movement. Discussions were in preparation for the Feb 18, 2010 live event. Here are some of the subjects that brought some lively discussion this week: What is a Small Group? Missional Small Groups. What do we do with the kids? Technology and Community and on-line groups. If you missed the event, the weeks discussions are all documented on the blog site Small Group World 2010. Keeping in the discussions with people a... Putting Your Group Back Into Gear9 January 2010, 1:44 am Encourage – Call your group members and remind them of when you’re re-starting, let them know how you’re excited to reconnect with them, and invite them to invite their friends. Think of acquaintances you’ve recently made and invite them too. Usually only about half those invited end up coming so don’t worry about too many people coming; God always makes room for one more anyways.Potluck – Have a meal. Groups that start with a meal get off to a better start. It’s true! Food is one ... PRIMAL - Batterson Quotes That Impacted Me2 January 2010, 5:34 pm Some of my favorite quotes from Mark Batterson’s PRIMAL where he shares about the quest for “catacomb-like convictions that go beyond conventional logic” and living with “raw spiritual intensity”:We are called to reflect God – His compassion, His wonder, His creativity, and His energy. You cannot manufacture those things. You can only reflect them. Our love for God is nothing more and nothing less than a reflection of God’s love for us. (p. 156)Quit living as if the purpose of life... Sacred Roads – Heather Zempel11 December 2009, 7:40 pm I thought Sacred Roads was going to be another short-term DVD-driven small group study. I was wrong. It was different. What I discovered was tool for pilgrimage: A resource full of creative ways to explore and engage spiritual practices that will enrich a follower’s walk with Jesus.Sacred Roads is way more than a plug-and-play curriculum for groups. It’s replete with stories, images, references, ideas, and applications that can help individuals and groups alike explore the historic paths of ... Slats Grobnik, Christmas Tree Salesman29 November 2009, 2:55 pm The late columnist Mike Royko writes about a conversation he had with Slats Grobnik, a man who sold Christmas trees. Slats remembered one couple on the hunt for a Christmas tree. The guy was skinny with a big Adam's apple and small chin, and she was kind of pretty. But both wore clothes from the bottom of the bin of the Salvation Army store.After finding only trees that were too expensive, they found a Scotch pine that was okay on one side, but pretty bare on the other. Then they picked up anoth...	Life and Theology Ben Reed Aging vs Maturing9 September 2010, 4:13 pm Growing older doesn’t guarantee you will grow in spiritual maturity. Intentionally investing in your spiritual growth, though, does. In our small group last night, we talked about the idea that as we grow older, there’s no promise that we’ll just fall naturally into godliness and spiritual maturity.  It’s unnatural to do so. The natural thing [...]... Nutella9 September 2010, 3:50 pm As summer is winding to a close, I thought I’d share with you one of my major finds. Some of you may have been on this bandwagon for a long time…and now I see why.  I honestly can’t believe that I’ve lived on this earth for 28 years and never tasted the goodness of Nutella. [...]... It’s like trying to find a diamond on a football field7 September 2010, 9:20 pm The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.  Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls.  When he found one of great value, [...]... Me and my son2 September 2010, 11:39 pm I can’t even begin to tell you how much I love my son.  While some fathers may dread spending an entire day with their son while their wife works, I truly relish it. My son loves being silly and making people laugh. I think he’d like your response to this video. Rex & his silliness [...]... Christian Romance Novels30 August 2010, 8:05 pm Poll question of the day: How do you feel about Christian romance novels? Leave your vote below. a. I have a room devoted to my collection. b. That book cover above made me throw up in my mouth a little bit. c. Those 3 words should never be said in the same sentence. d. I [...]... The Battle29 August 2010, 11:22 am The battle against sin is a tough one, isn’t it?  The more and more we fight against it, the more and more it seems to keep creeping up on us. And if you try to say you don’t really have any sin you’re dealing with, you’re fooling yourself.  (See 1 John 1:8) John Owen, a [...]... Don’t let it rot25 August 2010, 7:08 pm We went out of town last weekend, and came home to this in our garden. If you leave a fruit on the vine too long, it rots.  And rotting fruit looks, tastes, and smells disgusting. Fruit was meant to be enjoyed by others.  Not to rot on the vine and never be enjoyed. The same [...]... Christmas Vacation meets Inception24 August 2010, 8:25 pm I’ve been posting mostly serious stuff lately.  I figured you’ve had enough of that. (HT: Tyler Stanton)... Introverts, Extroverts, and small groups part 423 August 2010, 2:35 pm I’ve posted HERE, HERE, and HERE about the ways that small groups are difficult for you whether you’re introverted or extroverted.  In closing, here are a few things to remember: 1. Being introverted or extroverted isn’t a sin. It’s just how God made you.  Don’t let anybody criticize you for your wiring in this area. [...]... The “Visitor” Treatment22 August 2010, 12:42 pm I read this on a sign at an O’Charley’s restaurant I visited in Nashville: At our place, everybody’s a regular. What a powerful statement, especially to me on my first time in the restaurant.  That sign told me that I was being viewed a regular customer, even though it was my first time to ever step [...]...
Small Group Help Frank Chiapperino Leadership Isolation21 August 2010, 9:00 pm Sometimes group leaders can forget they need accountability and deep personal relationships.  My friend Jon recently posted  about this on his website:A few weeks ago, I found myself in quite a tough spot. Many things around me seemed to be collapsing in on me, and I felt all alone. This seems kind of strange for a guy who has tooted the "GroupLife horn" for so long, but it's true. At a time when I needed a shoulder to lean on the most, I was generally i [...]... Small Groups Digizine8 August 2010, 9:00 pm Christianity Today and SmallGroups.com are offering a new free tool to help small group leaders with ideas, resources, and leadership insights. Their goal through this digizine (digital magazine) is to equip and support small group leaders while offering extra encouragement to those pass [...]... New From Barna - Who is active in group expressions of faith?8 July 2010, 9:00 pm A new Barna study takes a close look at the active profile of those that participate in small groups, Sunday school and house churches and other church activities. The recent study pulled together nine interesting insights:... How does your group handle summer?16 May 2010, 9:00 pm I have always found summer to be an interesting component of group life. Some of our groups experience a dip in attendance while others continue to thrive. I have heard all sorts of advice from other small group pastors and breakout sessions at conferences but I am of the opinion that the group leader can make the best decision for his or her group.They know their summer schedules, vacation times, children's activities, church events, etc. I've always been a part of church [...]... What's Next For My Small Group?2 March 2010, 9:00 pm Whether your group has been together a long time or just a few months it can be challenging for a leader to decide what to do next with their small group.  This article can help you gain some perspective by guiding you through some key questions to evaluate your small group. When trying to figure out where to take your smallgroup (bible study or whatever you want to call it) one of the best things you can do is figure out where you are. There are four major relationship areas to c [...]... The Summit: A Convergence of Small Group Experts23 January 2010, 9:00 pm If you can be near a PC on February 18th you wont want to miss this event.  It is not often that you can participate in something like this with group leaders around the country and the best part is that its FREE.Greg Bowman (co-author of Coaching Life-Changing Small Group Leaders), Lyman Coleman (the father of the small group movement as we know it toda [...]... Keeping Teens Engaged In Small Groups10 January 2010, 9:00 pm I'm not sure if you are aware but our website has numerous articles available that can help small group leaders and pastors handle the challenges we face in group ministry.  Here is an example of a great article by one of our authors, John Noonan:Students get bored easily.  They sit in classes all day long and the last thing they want is another lecture.  So how does a small group leader grab the attention of their students while teaching them about the bible?  [...]... How Do You Promo Your Group?7 December 2009, 9:00 pm I've always had fun helping group leaders  get started with thier small group at our church. However, some young adults I've worked with recently have had a blast jumping head first into group minsitry.  Take a look at how they chose to promo their group with their friends on the web...Step one - organize a core teamStep two - start a facebook groupStep three - Invite friends on facebook to join Step four - create a really strange p [...]... Strategic Small Group Ministry Training6 November 2009, 9:00 pm December 10 & 11, 2009Ebenezers Coffeehouse (National Community Church)Washington, DCLeading a single small group is a challenge, but running "point" on a church full of small groups can expose a whole new set of obstacles and opportunities. Discipleship, spiritual formation, missional outreach, and Biblical literacy happen best in small groups, and small groups happen best where organic growth is supported by strategic vision and purpose. If you are responsible for leadin [...]... Five Reasons To Be In A Small Group For Life25 October 2009, 9:00 pm At the Group Life Conference this year Andy Stanley shared five reasons that he will be in a small group for life. Here they are: 1. It’s the easiest place to invite un-churched people to, especially if they are not ready for the whole Sunday morning experience. 2. It’s often one of the only contexts for pastors or church staff to enga [...]...	OCC Community Channel Jason Braun Good to GREAT groups – Essential #1 Leadership31 March 2010, 6:36 pm Who wants to be in an ‘ok’ small group.  Not me……been in far too many of those already.  I want to be in a group that nourishes and feeds my soul. In the previous post, 5 essentials of small groups were mentioned that are required for a group to be great: leadership, vision, community, discipleship, [...]... Good to GREAT small groups10 February 2010, 3:51 pm After 6+ years of trying to help develop a healthy small group ministry at our church, I think I have seen the good, the bad, and the ugly of what small groups can be.  I have also been right in the center of life change and life drain in my own personal group experiences.  While I [...]... Being the BODY – Groups @ their best20 January 2010, 4:51 pm Our church, Oakbrook, participated in the Advent Conspiracy (watch this video if you have never seen it!)this year.  We collected a year end offering to support global & local compassion efforts and encouraged our small groups to also come up with creative ways to serve others during the Christmas season.  I am always so proud [...]... Praying Power11 December 2009, 9:33 pm You’ve heard it before but I’ll say it again: people that PRAY together STAY together.  When 2 or more people pray regularly together, a powerful sense of community happens.  When my wife and I pray together, we are stronger.  When my kids and I pray together, we are stronger.  When I pray with my friends, we [...]... Leading Challenging People20 October 2009, 8:45 pm It seems like every small group has its challenges…..it’s always messy at some level.  Was Jesus’ small group challenging?  I would say yes.  The disciples argued over power, they said he didn’t care, they doubted him, they questioned him ….. messy.  The ‘messy’ part of relationships is usually due to the fact that none of [...]... Developing Leaders – Part 219 October 2009, 8:59 pm We use a very simple model to help encourage, equip, and vision cast to small group leaders at Oakbrook.  Over the past 6 years we have tried various methods of coaching and leadership development with limited success.  I’m not saying that the models of coaching and leadership development that I have read about in books [...]... Developing Leaders – Part 121 August 2009, 6:43 pm Here is a short snapshot, written by one of my great friend / mentors at Oakbrook (Morgan Young), about how we develop and empower small group leaders at Oakbrook Church….check it out…..I will expand on our strategy in a future post.  Would love to hear what you do to successfully equip and serve your leaders! Wednesday, August [...]... Power of 1030 April 2009, 6:55 pm “If a group doesn’t help each other connect it will end quickly. If a group doesn’t help each other change, it will end within a year. If a group fails to become mission minded it might last a long time but eventually it will become very dissatisfying.” Bill Search from his book ‘Simple Small Groups’ [...]... So what?13 March 2009, 7:39 pm Many of our small groups at Oakbrook are currently studying the book Crazy Love by Francis Chan.  I am reading it for the 3rd & 4th time as I write this.  In one group, we are in Chapter 8.  In another group, we are in Chapter 5.  I read it 2 times before that.  It [...]... 60-40 Principle4 February 2009, 3:31 pm Over the past 5+ years as a ‘small groups’ guy, I have had several conversations with frustrated group leaders wondering why their groups just won’t ‘take off’ like they had hoped. Here is my answer:  A small group is not a program or a thing to do as part of ‘doing church’, it is a way [...]...	MacLakeOnline.com Mac Lake Triple Threat Leadership9 September 2010, 7:39 am My friend Alan Danielson has recently released an E book entitled Triple Threat Leadership.  This book is a quick, practical and entertaining read.  Alan explains that there are three essential skills every leader needs to be aware of in order to have maximum success: The ability to cast Vision, the ability to create Strategy and [...]... Promotion Problems8 September 2010, 7:36 am When you promote someone to a new position you have high expectations for the results they’ll produce.  But it doesn’t always work out the way you anticipated.  Sometimes they flounder, make major mistakes and fail to live up to your expectations.  If these performance problems aren’t dealt with things could go from bad to worse. [...]... Looking for a Promotion7 September 2010, 6:53 am All of us want to give our best and be recognized for a job well done.  However some people spend their time, energy and efforts seeking a promotion or higher position in their organization.  When this becomes our focus we make decisions based on what’s best for “me” rather than what’s best for the organization. [...]... The Dual Invitation of Leadership Development30 August 2010, 9:59 am I will forever marvel at Jesus mastery of leadership development.  His every word and every movement was filled with great intentionality.  As I was reflecting recently on Mark 1:16-18 I was fascinated by his purposeful wording as he recruited Peter and Andrew into a discipling relationship, ”Come, follow me, and I will make you fishers of [...]... Taking Inventory of Your Weaknesses23 August 2010, 9:44 am If we want to maximize the God given opportunities of our lives then it’s essential that we operate in our strengths.  Marcus Buckingham defines a strength as “consistent near perfect performance in an activity.” This is a simple but profound description of a strength.  When we operate in our strengths results come easy, our work [...]... ONE Thing to Help Narrow Your Focus19 August 2010, 2:23 am There is no shortage of opportunities for each of us to do good things.  And not just good things but significant things that will have eternal impact.  While this can be exciting for a leader it can also be debilitating.  The leader who naively says “yes” to every opportunity will soon find himself frustrated and [...]... Seeking Feedback18 August 2010, 12:50 am Sometimes we become so busy doing what we do that we forget to stop and ask if what we’re doing still matters.  The culture around us changes, people change and needs change.  This is why it’s crucial to build feedback systems into everything we do.  An organization that doesn’t solicit feedback will soon become irrelevant [...]... God Confident Leadership12 August 2010, 9:15 am When leaders allow themselves to be overwhelmed by uncertainty fear will grip their spirit and stall progress toward their calling and mission. Ultimately fear is rooted in a belief that God is not in control. So when a leader is struggling with anxiety it’s a matter of changing their mindset more than changing their circumstances. [...]... Facing Organizational Decline11 August 2010, 8:41 am “Organizational decline is more about what you do to yourself than what happens to you.” –  Jim Collins, Global Leadership Summit 2010 Leaders never face a static environment.  Conditions are always changing, culture is alway shifting and challenges are always on the horizon. Unfortunately in the face of unexpected difficulty many leaders experience decline in [...]... Making a Commitment to Personal Leadership Development10 August 2010, 8:59 am When you invest in the development of your own leadership everybody wins.  Bill Hybels (Global Leadership Summit 2010) Personal development isn’t just about improving our leadership, it ultimately raises the level of leadership in the whole organization.  When you grow others grow.  While there may be many obstacles that prevent us from being perfect leaders, there is no [...]...
Why Didn’t You Warn Me? Pat Sikora Finding the Time to Pray1 September 2010, 9:09 am I’ve just been notified that my article, Finding the Time to Pray, is being offered as a freebie on SmallGroups.com this week. If you have problems making time to pray in your small group, be sure to check it out. Photo Credit: iStockPhoto.com... Think You’ve Got it Bad?30 August 2010, 9:45 am Sometimes we think life is pretty difficult. Sometimes we feel sorry for ourselves. Here’s someone who knows that joy isn’t based on our circumstances. Now, stop whining!... Q Place Seeker Groups16 August 2010, 9:22 am I recently had coffee with Mary Schaller, President of Q Place (formerly Neighborhood Bible Studies). Q Place’s mission is to mobilize Christians to facilitate group discussions with spiritual seekers so they can find God as revealed in the Bible. Group leaders, called Initiators, cultivate a healthy small group process so that everyone in the group [...]... Composting for Transformation13 August 2010, 9:38 am Let me ask you… do you have any garbage in your life? Yeah, I thought so. Most of us do. And what do you do with that garbage? Do you let it rot and stink and contaminate those around you? Or do you allow God to compost it into something useful? I know. You probably [...]... Introducing the Small Groups Digizine11 August 2010, 9:28 pm SmallGroups.com has hit another one out of the park. I finally had a chance to read the Fall 2010 Small Groups Digizine, a free digital magazine that is specifically designed for equipping and encouraging small-group leaders (and the church staffers who love them). I was far more impressed than I expected to be. AND, I have [...]... Creating Other People25 June 2010, 10:11 pm I’ve been reading a great book called SuperCoach: 10 Secrets to Transform Anyone’s Life by Michael Neil. The book is full of  helpful hints for successful living. I especially liked his chapter on “Listening” in relation to my interest in challenging people. He says, We’ll nearly always hear what we’re listening for. This creates a [...]... The Plan A Woman in a Plan B World22 June 2010, 6:46 am If you’re looking for a simple but meaningful women’s study for the summer, Debbie Taylor Williams’ The Plan A Woman in a Plan B World may fill the bill. We all grow up with our “Plan A” – the perfect husband, children, career, good health. But these hopes and dreams can be thwarted or may [...]... When the Need is Serious10 June 2010, 9:22 am My husband was recently diagnosed with a serious illness. We don’t have enough information yet to know how advanced it is or how quickly it will progress. We shared the news with our son last week. Tonight we shared it with our small group. We’ve been with most of these people for over six years. [...]... Life In Spite of Me26 May 2010, 9:12 am Do you get tired of people whining and complaining about their circumstances? Sure, some people have pretty serious situations and I certainly don’t want to minimize the problems of others. Sometimes I barely manage my own issues. But when I meet someone who handles adversity well, my admiration soars. Kristen Anderson has become such a [...]... Why Didn’t You Warn Me? In Korean25 May 2010, 6:38 am I’m please to announce that today I signed a contract with Korea Smallgroup Publishing Co., which will translate Why Didn’t You Warn Me? How to Deal with Challenging Group Members into the Korean language and market that book in South Korea. This company has been publishing my first book, Small Group Bible Studies: How to [...]...	Breaking Point Mary Beth Stockdale greatest STORY ever told…29 June 2010, 5:56 pm STORY What can you tell someone to impact their life? Information? History? Details? To make the most compelling impact, you need to tell your STORY. Yes, your story will contain information, history and details…but your story also holds your heart. It is unique, untold. Within your STORY lives a lesson for each of us. Will [...]... Jesus is THE WAY29 March 2010, 1:38 pm Reflecting Christ to our World A passion of mine is to reunite the Body of Christ, bridge the gaps caused from years of religious division so we can reflect a true picture of Christ to our world.  As Christians we can agree that Jesus is our path to relationship with Almighty God. Jesus answered, “I [...]... Crush It!22 March 2010, 7:56 pm Develop Your Social Media Strategy Looking for a quick read on how to develop a Social Media plan…then this book is for you.  Author Gary Vaynerchuk keeps it simple and focused. Vaynerchuk doesn’t waste time with facebook and twitter “how-to’s”, stating that there are too many online resources that can help do that. Rather, he [...]... Synergy 2010 – Social Media Round Table3 March 2010, 12:27 am Social Media Round Table Thanks to all who attended the Social Media Round Table – you were a great group with good questions. Please use the comments below if you have any questions or feedback for me from the session. Here are the notes I promised you today. I would love to hear how you [...]... Synergy 2010 – DNA of a Dangerous Church3 March 2010, 12:11 am DNA of a Dangerous Church Passionately love Jesus Ruthlessly eliminate ego Courageously go against the flow Selflessly extend compassion Unconditionally trust God Really enjoyed Synergy today. Mike Breaux is such a real guy, down to earth. He challenged us to live courageously, not with a spirit of fear, but to create the DNA of a [...]... Velocity is over but…26 February 2010, 7:01 pm Those who know me tell me I’m addicted to conferences, twitter and facebook. So in the afterglow of Velocity, I’m thinking… what it is about conferences that I love so much? Hearing live speakers, passionate about their topic is certainly compelling and challenging. My thinking is always stretched, even if I don’t agree 100% with [...]... Missional Velocity – Alan Hirsch25 February 2010, 2:10 pm Missional Velocity For a guy who claims to not know statistics, Alan Hirsch used both a number line and a pie chart, and lots of statistics in his session – the math major in me was cheering. But the impact was staggering. Below is just a snapshot of my in-session notes. Cultural distance – cultural [...]... Creating Missional Communities – Velocity Pre-conference25 February 2010, 1:34 am Michael Stewart, Pastor of Missional Community at Austin Stone Church, not only explained the tri-perpectival Gospel (adapted from Tim Keller), he had us read and discuss the material in small groups. What better way to present on a topic about small groups. But these aren’t just any small groups, they are what Michael refers to [...]... Social Media in Ministry15 February 2010, 6:24 pm I am looking forward to speaking at Synergy 2010 with ministry leaders and pastors on using Social Media in ministry. Synergy is all about connecting with others leading ministry and sharing best practices and resources. I need your feedback to create the most practical approach. Check out Synergy’s fanpage. Register today! Would love to meet [...]... Synergy 20106 February 2010, 4:11 pm Here are my top 5 reasons for attending Synergy 2010! Mike Breaux “DNA of a Dangerous Church” (’nuff said) Ministry-centered round table discussions led by the best – share ideas, resources Connections, connections, connections Chicagoland area Oh, yeah. It’s FREE! So, what are you waiting for? Register for Synergy today! Follow @Synergy_2010 on twitter for [...]...	Small Group Dynamics Sam O’Neal Women -- Stand and Speak!7 September 2010, 3:15 pm I am finishing up a new training packet for SmallGroups.com called "Effective Small Groups for Women." And I figured that I would write up a quick blog post about some of my reactions to the material in that download...... Video of the Week: Pixar on Cliques1 September 2010, 4:05 pm I just skimmed through the new book The Wisdom of Pixar, and it reminded me of one of my favorite short videos. Take a look, and then answer this question: Have you ever been involved in a small group where...... Poll Time: How is Your Group Prayer?30 August 2010, 9:33 pm I have been spending a lot of time exploring small-group prayer over the past couple of weeks. A lot of it has been for our newest training download, Revolutionary Prayer in Your Small Group, which is available as of this...... Viva La Digizine!27 August 2010, 4:54 pm It is August 27, which means we only have 4 days left in our iPad Giveaway (sponsored by the Small Groups Digizine). So, are you entered in the drawing? Are you entered as many times as you could be?...... Friday Flashback: Renewing our Small-Group Purpose27 August 2010, 4:08 am It’s always important to think about the purpose of small groups. Whenever I think about this issue, I almost always go back to examining the New Testament pattern of church to confirm the “why” of small groups. Consider some...... Video of the Week: A Super Speedy Interview19 August 2010, 3:14 am Here is another video that was included in the Small Groups Digizine (and a pretty funny video, if I do say so myself). But I wanted to make it large and in charge here on the blog just in case...... Time to Pick Up Some Bible Studies17 August 2010, 3:37 pm As a small-group leader, I'm used to feeling the itch right about now. You know what I'm talking about—that little itch in the back of your mind that pops up in the middle of August and says, "We've got...... Video of the Week: From the Digizine11 August 2010, 2:58 pm Did you catch the video interview with Mark Batterson and Heather Zempel in the recent Small Groups Digizine? If not, never fear -- we have posted it below. And of course, if you haven't seen the Digizine yet, click here...... Faulty Assumptions about Intergenerational Groups9 August 2010, 5:38 pm I'm on the home stretch for our next featured download, "Effective Intergenerational Small Groups," and I was really intrigued by an article written by Scottie May (my former teacher at Wheaton College). Scottie's article tackles several of the faulty...... Feedback for the Small Groups Digizine6 August 2010, 6:18 pm Well, we've come to the end of our first week with the Small Groups Digizine live, and I'm really happy to see that a large number of you have been checking it out. (And if you haven't seen the......
The Gypsy Road Serendipity Team Passion20 August 2010, 7:29 pm A flower…are you kidding me?  I was actually thinking about the start of a new football season: high school football games on Fridays, college football games on Saturdays, even NFL pre-season games on Sundays right now.  Fantasy football is kind of cool too. So the topic I was thinking about was passion.  About the things that [...]... Building Biblical Community with Steve Gladen and Bill Donahue16 August 2010, 6:44 pm Last week we wrapped up the filming for the DVD portion of Building Biblical Community, a new resource scheduled to release at the end of the year in time for January campaigns, new-group launches, and new beginnings. Building Biblical Community owes its concept to authors Steve Gladen and Bill Donahue, two of the most notable [...]... A Heart’s Desire12 August 2010, 1:31 pm I always dreamed of growing up to be a kindergarten teacher, marrying an incredible man, and having children. You know the dream — it’s the one with the white picket fence, 2.5 kids, and a dog — it’s happily-ever-after. Today I am more than grown up (in other words, I won’t be admitting my age [...]... Going vs. Being2 August 2010, 4:22 pm I don’t know about you, but over the years I’ve put a lot of effort into getting myself to small-group meetings only to sit there like an empty shell. Either I completely zone out and take advantage of the one hour a week someone isn’t depending on me for something, or my mind is a [...]... Alan Danielson’s “Triple Threat Leadership”: Strategy, Relationships, Vision23 July 2010, 1:50 pm Earlier this week Rick Howerton posted a Q&A with Alan Danielson. In his post, Alan answers questions about Triple Threat Leadership, a book that he has recently published on leadership, and the broader application of Triple Threat Solutions. Although the principles developed in the book are not limited to small-groups, it certainly seems to be [...]... It’s About Time16 July 2010, 12:24 pm Deciding what to write for The Gypsy Road each month is proving to be one of the hardest parts of my job. Never mind that I work with words for a living and have for 20 years or that I, personally, am never at a loss for words. But as I stare at a blank [...]... Forgiveness Is Really Tough Sometimes12 July 2010, 2:06 am I have forgiven people lots of times. Jesus said 7 times 70 right?  And sometimes it takes that many.  I’m sure I’ve been forgiven even more.  Sometimes I think I’ve gotten pretty good at this forgiveness thing, but there are some times when forgiveness is really tough. The last time I spoke to my dad, it [...]... Community as God’s Central Program7 July 2010, 1:02 am I just came across a recent post at Bill Donahue’s blog titled Community as God’s Central Program. In this post Bill hits on some very strong tenets of community and the value of community not only to our culture, but for our theology as well. Opposing a “concordance approach” to understanding God, Bill uses Stan [...]... Dehydration.28 June 2010, 3:57 pm Thirsty. I was so thirsty. Not physically. Here in Tennessee, there’s so much humidity in the air you meet your water-per-day quota just by breathing in as you scramble from your car to whatever air-conditioned haven you’re headed for. No, I’m talking about spiritual thirst. My spirit felt dry and scratchy, and I couldn’t think [...]... Small Group SPARKS8 June 2010, 8:59 pm Here’s a great idea for a 4-5 week small-group experience…and it’s free! (well, mostly) While the Sparks idea is designed for beginning groups, this idea could easily be used by existing groups to shake things up a bit.  If your group is looking for a different kind of experience that is missional and activity-based, you [...]...	Small Group World Rick Howerton My Interview with Boyd Pelley, Small Groups Analytics III, Connecting Every Person in the Ministry9 September 2010, 12:36 pm ... My Interview with Boyd Pelley, Small Groups Analytics II, Saving Your Ministry Money9 September 2010, 1:11 am ... My Interview with Boyd Pelley, Small Groups Analytics I, Why Analytics are Essential7 September 2010, 12:00 pm ... Nine Things to Remember When Discipling Men3 September 2010, 3:10 pm ... Leadership Vacuum, the Reason Many Leaders Lose1 September 2010, 1:55 pm ... What All Effective Leaders Do... Five Simple Necessities31 August 2010, 2:42 pm ... Visionaries, God-Inspired Visionaries, and Taking Jesus to Every Street and Cul-de-sac30 August 2010, 2:13 pm ... 10 Questions People Ask Before Committing to a Small Group26 August 2010, 4:45 pm ... Six Practical Musts for any Small Group Ministry that Flourishes25 August 2010, 7:45 pm ... Silverdale Baptist Church... Being the Church24 August 2010, 11:56 am ...	Mark Howell Live Mark Howell Groups Interactive’s New Version Takes a Big Step in the Right Direction9 September 2010, 12:54 pm I had a chance this week to connect with Andy Ivankovich, the founder of UpperRoom Technologies, and take a look at the newest version of Groups Interactive (A friend of mine from Oak Hills Church in San Antonio, where Max Lucado pastors, put me onto  UpperRoom a couple years back).  I saw several things that [...]... All Kinds of Groups Leads to a Church OF Groups8 September 2010, 12:24 pm One of the key components of the church of groups conviction that it will take all kinds of groups to connect everyone.  Conversely, one size doesn’t fit all.  One type of group really won’t work for all of the people who are part of your congregation.  And as we’ve talked about frequently, if you hope [...]... Cultivate Identity Before the HOST Ask7 September 2010, 11:54 am You never really know where the next idea will come from.  If you’ve got your eyes open…they really can come from almost any source.   My latest ideas come from Switch: How to Change Things When Change Is Hard (Chip and Dan Heath’s most recent book).  You really need a little set-up to catch this [...]... Top 10 Posts for August 20106 September 2010, 1:06 pm In case you missed them, here are my top 10 posts for August (in descending order): Top 10 Fantasies of Churches with Small Groups (August 2010) 10 Essential Skills of Small Group Leader (June, 2010) How to Launch Groups Using a Small Group Connection (May 2008) New from Kerry and Chris Shook: Love at Last [...]... What Everybody Knows Can Never Happen3 September 2010, 11:48 am When you carefully examine the likely scenarios for your organization…are there some things that get ruled out right away because everybody knows that that can never happen?  Word to the wise?  Be very careful that you don’t casually exclude some things because it’s common knowledge that those things can’t happen.  Puzzled?  Here’s a little to [...]... Staying the Course Leads to a Church OF Groups2 September 2010, 12:16 pm “We over-estimate what we can do in one year and we under-estimate what we can do in 20 years.”  I remember hearing Rick Warren say this when Saddleback was about 10 years old and beginning to gather steam at their annual church growth seminar.  He said it to contradict one of the most deadly fantasies [...]... Skill Training: Help Your New Groups Have a Great First Meeting1 September 2010, 11:55 am You know what they say.  “You only get one chance to make a good first impression.”  If that’s true it makes a lot of sense to help your new groups have a great first meeting.  Here are some key steps: Preparing for Your First Meeting Call your group members early in the week at a [...]... Different Leads to a Church OF Groups31 August 2010, 11:51 am One of the greatest challenges facing a church that desires to become a church of groups is the notion that trying harder or simply tweaking what they’re doing is all that’s missing.  In fact, that’s probably the #1 fantasy of church with groups.  Why?  Because trying harder or tweaking what you’re doing still leads to [...]... Take Advantage of Testimony to Recruit Hosts29 August 2010, 2:14 pm I’ve talked about this concept before (here and here), but it is so powerful I wanted to come back to it one more time.  Whether you’re recruiting hosts or members there is almost nothing more powerful that personal testimony.  In fact, it probably should have been one of the Top 10 Reasons Saddleback Has Connected [...]... Resource: The Complete Book of Questions27 August 2010, 11:59 am I had lunch yesterday with Gary Poole, the author of Seeker Small Groups, and re-familiarized myself with a neat little book I’d forgotten about.  The Complete Book of Questions: 1001 Conversation Starters for Any Occasion is a pretty cool resource that’s great to have in your library. The 1001 conversation starters (questions) are broken down [...]...
Small Group Leadership Michael Mack Small Group Charades14 August 2010, 4:33 am ... Is Our Group Healthy or Unhealthy?27 July 2010, 4:53 pm ... On 3 ... Point to the Group Leader!17 July 2010, 7:49 pm ... Leadership Is Not a Solo Act15 July 2010, 4:46 pm ... No More Leader Burnout5 July 2010, 4:42 pm ... O God ... or Yea God?30 June 2010, 4:31 pm ... Transcendence in Healthy Groups15 June 2010, 3:45 am ... Jesus' Small Group Curriculum9 June 2010, 3:39 pm ... Do Me a Favor?28 May 2010, 8:02 pm ... The "Right Person" to Lead a Small Group12 May 2010, 2:52 pm ...	Simply Community Eddie Mosley Real Life Discipleship30 August 2010, 8:40 pm How often are you learning about discipleship and people? How fast can you apply what you learn?  Last week I spent three days with other small group pastors and leaders who are getting it done in a not so new way. Real Life Ministries of Post Falls, Idaho is making disciples that make disciples that make [...]... 5 Steps to Connecting Hundreds23 August 2010, 12:04 pm LifePoint Church had over 350 adults connect to Small Groups from August 8 thru August 20th.  GroupLink happened on Sundays August 8 and 15th, but the calls and emails continued to come in from people wanting to join a group for the Radical church-wide study. The most exciting fact about this number was the majority [...]... GroupLink for Radical a Success16 August 2010, 4:03 pm With 20 tables set up for people to converse about small groups and find one to join, we launched the next LifePoint churchwide series:  Radical.  Each day LifePointers and friends will be reading devotionals, a section of Radical by David Platt and praying to discover the answer to “How can I make my life count?” [...]... HOST a Bunch of Friends for Spiritual Growth9 August 2010, 12:52 pm Help your friends be more, know more, live more like, and be closer to Christ.  Discuss last weeks sermon.  Talk about what is happening in life. Learn from each other.  Share concerns. Laugh and cry together. HOST a group of friends and/or neighbors through a Bible Study. At LifePoint HOST stands for H: home, open [...]... Why Join a Radical Small Group?27 July 2010, 3:59 pm The top 8 reasons to join a Radical Small Group: 8. Because at one point in your life you dreamed of being a Radical. 7. Develop close relationships with other Radical people on your journey as a Christ-follower. 6. Find answers to your needs and a place to share your needs through prayer requests with [...]... Where Are Your Group Members?24 July 2010, 11:49 am Small group is a lot like family! I mention this to some people and they think back to the people who they would not call family.  Or some thoughts go back to the spiritual struggles of each member.  But Community is not about a one hour meeting one day a week.  It is about knowing [...]... My First Trip to Haiti6 July 2010, 3:30 pm We left early on June 28 for a week in Haiti.  Our mission: To discover how LifePoint Church can have an impact in Haiti by partnering with a church. The first day seemed very slow.  I struggled with why I was even there. Now I realize that was God slowing me down so I could [...]... 2010 State USSSA Major Championship28 June 2010, 11:19 am Bugs Win! This travel baseball season the Smyrna Bugs have seen a lot more ups and downs than in previous seasons.  The guys have played hard in very hot weather. They have practiced both as a team and as individuals, making their parents sweat it out with them in the back yards and fields across [...]... When’s Small Group Meeting Again21 June 2010, 11:04 am “When are we meeting again, I miss Small Group?” This is music to my ears.  You are never really sure the group is having an impact on peoples’ lives until you hear a statement like this. LifePoint small groups are encouraged to spend the summer investing in their ‘neighborhoods’ and meet at least monthly to [...]... Hitting a Home Run16 June 2010, 2:34 pm Did you ever hit a home run?  Maybe yours was not on the baseball field. Maybe it was at work, in your marriage, as a parent or in another sport.  Hitting a home run is something we all get excited about and we always remember the first one of our life. This past weekend the [...]...	Journey Together Eric Dunaway From Serbia with Love4 July 2010, 8:37 pm ... Missing It with Jillian30 June 2010, 3:25 am ... Avoiding the Summer Bummer2 June 2010, 1:41 am ... Livin' On a Prayer27 May 2010, 5:12 pm ... How NOT to be an Annoying Leader22 May 2010, 3:40 pm ... Pusuing Life Together: Keynote Recap 5/15/1019 May 2010, 1:51 am ... Sub-Grouping: Making your small group even smaller?28 April 2010, 2:00 pm ... Signs of Life part 3: the partnership10 March 2010, 7:13 pm ... Signs of Life part 2: Inclusion22 February 2010, 5:19 pm ... Problems in your group?18 February 2010, 10:01 pm ...

Not necessarily small group specific, but applicable:

evotional.com Mark Batterson Protege Program9 September 2010, 11:10 am ... Off to Atlanta9 September 2010, 10:18 am ... Wordle8 September 2010, 2:21 pm ... Words8 September 2010, 11:57 am ... Pitch Your Tent7 September 2010, 2:10 pm ... Back in the Pulpit5 September 2010, 3:00 pm ... From Garden to City5 September 2010, 11:33 am ... No Comments5 September 2010, 11:25 am ... Miracle Memento3 September 2010, 5:31 pm ... Laugh Quotient2 September 2010, 9:04 pm ...

Tall Skinny Kiwi Andrew Jones Blog A Koran Day [Sep 11]9 September 2010, 11:32 am Hey bloggers! Join me on September 11 to BLOG A KORAN and help me create some understanding with our Muslim neighbors. I think what Terry Jones is doing by suggesting a Burn The Koran Day is ABSOLUTELY AWFUL and SHAMEFUL...... Tallskinnykiwi in North America: Rough Schedule8 September 2010, 8:17 pm The schedule is taking shape for us in USA/Canada starting in a few weeks. A lot of you are asking me about coming to speak or having a party with the family and friends, etc. Fantastic. Its gonna be a...... The Nines is upon us. Speaker List here.8 September 2010, 7:59 pm The Nines Conference happens on the 9th. Should be a fun day. Hope your partner doesn't yell at you for spending too much time on the computer. But hey - 100 speakers, 6 minutes each. That's a lot of eyeballing....... 5 Christian T-shirts you won't see in the Bible Belt8 September 2010, 8:56 am I saw a few T-shirts at the European Christian festivals this year that will probably never make it to the Bible belt of America. Here are 5 of them: 1. Alles geht in Arsch. Jesus bleibt A rough German translation,...... My birthday today7 September 2010, 2:41 pm Yes its my birthday today and I am taking it slow. The family is making dinner tonight and I will have an apple strudel instead of a cake (I dont like cakes . . too dry) because we are in...... The Skinny on Hipster Christianity7 September 2010, 9:49 am There's a video on Facebook making the rounds called Hipster Church Movement: The Lisbon - New Delhi Connection. Its uncool and unhip in a hilarious way. Especially the dancing cat and the WWJD t-shirt. The video is made my two...... 5 Game Changers that didnt make my video for The Nines3 September 2010, 6:01 am On Sep 9 you can watch my video and ridicule it via Twitter at the Nines Online Conference. I chose just a single "game changer" in my ministry to focus on . . which one I will not reveal just...... A smooch and a free massage for our sponsors2 September 2010, 6:00 am So I woke up this morning to see someone on Twitter raising funds for Those Joneses and then I realized . . What the heck??? . . Thats OUR family!!!!! What a surprise!!! And not only that, but the website...... We are coming to USA: Need your help!1 September 2010, 9:09 am Big news! Our family is returning to USA for a coast to coast tour, starting late September in New York and going down, then westward through Texas, up to Oregon and down the West Coast. Why now? Well, it is...... How Many People Attended the 'Restoring Honor' Rally?1 September 2010, 4:44 am Thousands of people gathering around a large vertical object to discuss plans of posterity. NO, I am not talking about the Tower of Babel. I'm talking about Glenn Beck's Restoring Honor rally at Washington DC last weekend. The event was......

Jesus Creed Scot McKnight