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Date	Average Rating
February 21, 2012	4	A Closer Look at Principle-Based Small Groups Pt. 1 Coordinating Small Group Ministry, Small Group Leaders, Small Group Resources disciple/discipleship, small group plan, small group resources For years CRHM encouraged churches to adopt the Principle-Based model/philosophy of small group ministry almost exclusively. I thought it was worth another look. This is part one of two. Read more »
January 16, 2012	0	Building a Discipling Culture: A Must Have Resource Discipleship, Small Group Resources disciple/discipleship, leadership development, small group resources I've recently finished the book Building a Discipling Culture by Mike Breen and Steve Cockram and was so inspired by it I wanted to write a review. Then I checked my frequented blog reads and discovered Mark Howell had already done a fine job. With permission I've posted his review. Read more »
January 5, 2012	0	Supporting Marriages Coordinating Small Group Ministry, Small Group Resources marriage, small group resources, support group If a marriage is a gift from God then why are so many falling apart in the church? We know that marriage is God's idea and is supported by the church. I believe God uses community to undergird marriage as we support one another. Small groups can play a pivotal role Read more »
November 14, 2011	0	5 Keys to Finding More Leaders Coordinating Small Group Ministry, Leadership Development leaders, leadership development, small group resources “I can’t find enough leaders!” Have you ever said that? If you have, you’re in good company. It’s one of the most common complaints of small group ministry point people. It doesn't have to be that way. Check out this article by Mark Howell. Read more »
October 31, 2011	4	7 Keys to Developing Healthy, Lasting Small Groups Coordinating Small Group Ministry, Discipleship, Starting Small Group Ministry missional, small group plan, small group resources We all want to see our small groups grow and thrive. But when we don't have a strategy for that growth and transformative potential in every group, they will fade into being just another program or disappear altogether. Here are some key ingredients to tap into and increase your small group potential. Read more »
September 28, 2011	5	Back to the Basics Small Group Leaders, Starting Small Group Ministry community, leadership, small group resources, spiritual formation Building community is essential if people in your group are going to care for and confide in one another....If the goal is to see people spiritually transformed into disciples through the small group then leaders must guide people in that direction by first connecting people, slowly getting to know each other in a more personal way... Read more »
August 14, 2011	0	Why Do We Need a Group Agreement? Coordinating Small Group Ministry, Starting Small Group Ministry leadership, small group plan, small group resources Every person in your group has different expectations for your group. Some folks were in a group before and long for the good old days of comfortable koinonia. For whatever reason they joined or what they expect, the key to successful group life is a thoroughly-discussed and well-articulated group agreement. Read more »
August 1, 2011	0	Six Shifts in Small Group Ministry Coordinating Small Group Ministry, Why Small Groups? community, community development, small group/groups When individuals are able to make a meaningful contribution, feel a sense of belonging and connect significantly with others, the result is community. Ideally, small groups should provide a fertile environment for life change, but that’s only going to happen as the church rediscovers the centrality of community. Guest article by Bill Donahue. Read more »
July 5, 2011	0	A Better Small Group: The Value of Evaluation Coordinating Small Group Ministry, Small Group Resources leadership development, ministry evaluations, small group plan, small group resources Churches who are serious about their ministry effectiveness value evaluation and honest criticism....t churches who have regular evaluation of staff and ministries are far more effective than those churches that don't evaluate. So if you want your small groups to be more effective as well as their leaders, evaluation is a must. Read more »
May 27, 2011	0	I See Dead Groups Coordinating Small Group Ministry, Small Group Leaders group dynamics, leadership development, small group/groups Groups can be dead and just not know it. They can still meet, still choose curriculum, hang out. They can do all of that and be dead…and just not know it. How is this possible? Read more »
April 25, 2011	0	Can You Spare a Little Grace? Coordinating Small Group Ministry, Small Group Leaders grace, leadership development, small group resources Every group has them; E.G.R members -- Extra Grace Required. How do you lead a group to more effectively minister to those within your group who may have these tendencies? Read this article by guest contributor Steve Gladen Small Groups pastor at Saddleback church, speaker and editor of Small Group Ministries. Read more »
February 10, 2011	0	Five Habits of Effective Small Group Coaches Coordinating Small Group Ministry, Leadership Development coaching, leadership training, small group resources There are five essential habits practiced by effective coaches of group leaders. In order to remember them, I use an acrostic: C.O.A.C.H. and put it around a star in order to make them more easy to remember. Read more »
August 5, 2010	0	Recruiting Small Group Leaders: The Who, Where, and How of It Coordinating Small Group Ministry, Small Group Leaders character, guidelines, leaders, recruiting/recruitment It’s been said that every organization eventually becomes a reflection of its leaders. Assuming this is true, churches need to pay special attention to the character traits of its leaders, including those who lead small groups. What makes a good leader? What are the character traits of effective leaders? Read more »
June 24, 2010	0	Are Your Groups Normal? Or Are They Making a Difference in the World? Small Group Leaders missional, priorities, small group/groups, vision If we want to develop ways of relating in groups that results in mission, then we as pastors must look at what we are emphasizing. I read some old books about churches in the 1950s to the 1970s that were experimenting with small groups. They were definitely doing things way before the majority of the church was ready to hear about them. As I read their stories a few things stood out to me, many of which we need to hear today . . . Read more »
June 7, 2010	0	Developing a Small Group Plan Starting Small Group Ministry guidelines, leadership training, small group plan What are you planning these days? It might be tomorrow, your education, your career path, a vacation, a wedding or maybe your retirement. Planning is an important part of our lives because it helps us live more efficiently and eliminates chaos. . . Read more »
June 1, 2010	0	What is A Small Group? Why Small Groups? Communion, inclusion/inclusive, inclusive community, mission-shape/shaped, small group/groups Most people who have been around a church for a while have a pretty good idea about what a small group is. Or do they? The following definition may give new understanding to the term “small group.” A Small Group is an intentional gathering, meeting regularly for the purpose of joining God’s mission... Read more »
May 27, 2010	0	How Am I Doing, Coach? Coordinating Small Group Ministry coaching, guidelines, leaders Why do professional sport figures need a coach? Aren’t they the best of the best? I heard of an interesting scenario on one of our local professional baseball teams. A key player is in a batting slump. When it was suggested he spend time with the hitting coach, his response was, “I’m... Read more »
May 27, 2010	0	Lonely Little Petunia Why Small Groups? evaluate/evaluation, mission-shape/shaped, missional, vision Missional small groups want to do life together in a way that makes a difference in the world around them. These groups listen to God to find direction on how God might move through them in a way that puts love where love is not. Missional Small Groups demonstrate a life together that is unmistakably salt and light in the community in which they live. Read more »
May 27, 2010	0	Calendar: A Small Group Gardening Tool Coordinating Small Group Ministry leaders, planning, training Small Group leaders plan their calendars to grow group members. How will you plan to grow love for God in your group? Perhaps you have chosen a Bible or book study that is twelve weeks long. Put those dates on your calendar. What other ways could you encourage love toward God? Read more »
May 27, 2010	0	The Worthwhile Risk of Being Missional Why Small Groups? mission-shape/shaped, missional, small group/groups Did you know that outreach has a way of actually turning small groups inside out? Struggling groups and small group ministries have found help not by focusing on their own internal issues, but by looking beyond their problems and giving attention to the needs of those beyond their immediate relational circles. Read more »

Date	Average Rating
May 21, 2012	0	Alpha: An Answer for a “Kingdom Advancing Church” Discipleship disciple/discipleship, evangelism, small group resources Looking for a way to mobilize more people in evangelism in 1999, a few of us at church stumbled on to the Alpha Course. We were drawn to it because it offered a simple way to involve people in bringing the Gospel to their friends. We got a small pilot group together, followed the instructions, and went for it. Read more »
May 14, 2012	5	Growing a Garden of Jesus Followers Discipleship disciple/discipleship, mission-shape/shaped, prayer/prayers A metaphor that has helped me understand and lead small group ministry is this: Growing a small group discipleship ministry is like growing a garden. Small group coordinators and leaders must ask gardening questions. How would you answer these questions about your small group ministry? Read more »
May 7, 2012	0	It's Been a Great Ride! Discipleship, Small Group Resources disciple/discipleship, Network Guides, small group plan, small group/groups "Time flies when you're having fun." I guess I would say that would be my mantra too having been the guide of the Network's Small Groups section for some sixteen months or so. I don't know where the time went. And now that I'm moving on I thought I'd just do a little reflecting. Read more »
April 25, 2012	0	Sonship Materials and How to Use Them Small Group Resources The Sonship material comes in various formats, some which are shorter and less intensive than others. When considering how to use Sonship, it should be noted that more is better. However, being exposed to the material in any of several formats has value. Read more »
April 17, 2012	0	Living Out The Gospel: An Interview Small Groups Read an interview with Todd Murphy, a pastor who has incorporated the gospel into his own life and the life of his church. Learn how people who have been in the church all their life have been dramatically changed. In addition, discover how outreach is radically different when people in the church believe and live out the gospel in their own lives. Read more »
April 9, 2012	0	What is "Sonship"? Small Groups, Discipleship, Small Group Resources small group resources Sonship is written and taught from a Reformed perspective, and it moves our great theological truths from our heads into the nitty gritty of life. Its perspective is life changing and practical and sets a foundation for other forms of discipleship. Read more »
April 2, 2012	0	Describing the Christian Growth Process Discipleship, Small Group Leaders disciple/discipleship, spiritual growth Discipleship. Spiritual Formation. Christian Formation. Spiritual Transformation. Missional Discipleship… Have you heard these terms and wondered which each meant? Read more »
March 27, 2012	0	Leadership: Passing it On Leadership Development, Small Group Leaders leadership development, small group plan I know for myself that I lead by doing and coming alongside potential and present leaders to encourage, support and train them. It is usually the case that when there is a lack of leadership it is because there is no environment or atmosphere of leadership development happening in the church. Read more »
March 13, 2012	0	More on Principle-Based Small Groups Coordinating Small Group Ministry, Discipleship disciple/discipleship, small group plan, small group resources If you're going to include PB small groups as part of your disciple-making ministry, you will need to spend more time than most on a plan to initiate intentionality on moving people forward in their spiritual growth. People's natural tendency will be to stay comfortable and not become disciples or at least as Jesus intended them to. Read more »
January 30, 2012	0	It's Your Page Small Group Resources small group plan, small group resources Even though I've been writing and posting in small groups for over a year now, I haven't necessarily covered what you've been looking for. Here's your chance to challenge me with some ideas for articles and blogs. Read more »
December 12, 2011	0	Making the Most of Opportunities Coordinating Small Group Ministry, Starting Small Group Ministry innovation, planning, small group plan, small group/groups December is busy enough. So who wants another event? Why not maximize your normal December activities by inviting someone along. Or you could use the most of the December opportunities to grow and start new small groups in January. Here are some good things to consider... Read more »
November 28, 2011	0	Do You Ask Good Questions? Leadership Development, Small Group Leaders leaders, leadership development, listening, small group resources Asking good questions is almost an art form in my opinion. I'm talking about well-phrased, intentional, smart questions that open people up to get to the heart of the matter. Smart, well-placed questions can take your small group to a whole new level of sharing and growth. Read more »
November 22, 2011	5	Open or Closed Groups? Discipleship, Starting Small Group Ministry disciple/discipleship, evangelism, group dynamics, small group plan For many years within the small group realm there has been a lot of discussion on whether small groups should be open or closed. Perhaps our default mode especially in our CRC communities is to err on the side of being comfortable and thus short-circuiting true discipleship... This repost has a lot o reads but would be better with some discussion :-) Read more »
October 17, 2011	0	Some Valuable Small Group Material Leadership Development, Small Group Resources, Starting Small Group Ministry leadership development, missional, small group resources, small group/groups It's great when you come across some great small group curriculum. But it's even better when it's FREE. Scott Boren's book Missional Small Groups has really been gathering ground and very worth reading. Check out the curriculum that he's developed helping groups to be groups and impact their communities. Read more »
October 10, 2011	4.5	Women Reaching Women Network Buzz, Starting Small Group Ministry fellowship, opportunity/opportunities, relationship/relationships, small group/groups, spiritual growth I haven’t seen any mention of a Women’s Ministry or women’s perspective in the CRC Network or the Banner, yet more than 50% of the members of the CRC are women. Rarely do I see anything other than Coffee Break in the CRC. This is a wonderful ministry but is that all Women’s Ministry is? Read more »
September 12, 2011	0	Challenging the Status Quo [VIDEO] Discipleship, Leadership Development, Why Small Groups? disciple/discipleship, missional, small group plan Here's a church really challenging the status quo of what church is supposed to be. Jeff Vanderstelt, pastor of the Soma Communities seeks to be a missional community. It's a challenge for all of us. This is the stuff we need to be talking about in our churches. Check it out. Read more »
August 29, 2011	0	The Disciple's Prayer Discipleship disciple/discipleship, prayer/prayers, small group/groups I received some interesting responses after our recent prayer service. A number of people found it difficult to pray that the Holy Spirit would instill in them a passion for the lost. To pray that prayer can be scary when your focus on being a disciple has been more about being a faithful church attender than to follow Jesus into the big bad world to share the Gospel. Read more »
August 23, 2011	0	Weightlifting for the Soul Small Groups discipline/disciplines, spiritual maturity Some call habits such as prayer, fasting, scripture memory, simplicity and solitude and silence “weight lifting for the soul.” They can be used to build up the strength of my soul in order to become more like Jesus. Maybe this is what Paul was referring to when he told Timothy to “train yourself to be godly.” (I Tim. 4:7) Read more »
July 25, 2011	0	Think of the Possibilities Coordinating Small Group Ministry, Starting Small Group Ministry small group plan, small group/groups, vision Summer is a time for relaxing, catching your breath or maybe some fish, getting out into the great out doors and DREAMING. Think of the possibilities for your ministry especially small groups. What are your dreams? I'd love to hear them.... Read more »
June 23, 2011	3	Disciple-Making Versus Consumerism [Video] Discipleship disciple/discipleship, missional, small group/groups Sorry I've been out of the loop as of late -- vacation and all that. I did have a chance to check out some great stuff on YouTube recently that really challenges our look at disciple-making and consumerism. Alan Hirsch is spot on with his assessment of our current cultural mindset that it detrimental to making disciples... Read more »

Date	Average Rating
August 5, 2010	0	Who Do You Recruit? Coordinating Small Group Ministry guidelines, leaders, recruiting/recruitment Recruiting small group leaders is an on-going task of the Small Group Leadership Team. This resource provides suggestions on key traits to consider when recruiting small group leaders. Read more »
August 5, 2010	0	How Do You Recruit? Coordinating Small Group Ministry guidelines, leaders, recruiting/recruitment Recruiting small group leaders in a way that casts vision and presents leadership as a God-given opportunity will contribute to the health of a church's small group ministry. This tool gives suggestions on where to find potential leaders and how to go about recruiting them. Read more »
June 7, 2010	0	Ministry Interview Form Starting Small Group Ministry interview/interviews, leaders, leadership training, small group resources, small group/groups Ministry Interview Form to interview leaders of ministries. Read more »
June 7, 2010	0	Tell Us about Your Small Group Starting Small Group Ministry leadership training, research, small group/groups This is a form from Small Group Leadership Planning Tools to gather information about the purpose and context of a small group. Read more »
June 7, 2010	0	Mapping Groups by Type Small Group Resources, Starting Small Group Ministry leadership training, small group plan Recruiting small group leaders is an on-going task of the Small Group Leadership Team. This resource provides suggestions on key traits to consider when recruiting small group leaders and allows you to map groups by type, age and gender. Read more »
June 7, 2010	0	Imagine a Small Group Ministry Starting Small Group Ministry leadership training, ministry, small group/groups, vision Imagine a Small Group Ministry Worksheet - help for creating a vibrant small group ministry. Read more »
May 27, 2010	0	Small Group Calendar Coordinating Small Group Ministry, Small Group Resources leaders, planning, small group resources, training A calendar for Small Group leaders and coordinators to help implement the vision of their ministry. Read more »
May 25, 2010	0	Small Group Life Small Group Leaders, Small Group Resources articles, Facebook, networking, small group resources, tips, vision Most small group leaders love to network, so why not join other social networkers on Facebook? Read more »
May 25, 2010	0	Groups that Grow Leadership Development leadership training, small group/groups ...free online training for small group leaders. Learn from the best of the best! Read more »
May 25, 2010	0	Small Group Resources from Faith Alive Small Group Resources Bible study/studies, small group resources You'll find topical studies and Bible studies, all designed to help people grow as disciples of Jesus. Read more »
May 24, 2010	0	Small Talk: An Electronic Newsletter for Small Group Ministry Small Group Leaders articles, leadership, newsletter, resource/resources, tips Here's a free, practical e-newsletter for those in small group leadership available in English and Spanish. Small Talk is published six times a year by Christian Reformed Home Missions and is full of helpful information and resources. Read more »

Date	Average Rating
May 25, 2010	0	LifeTogether Small Group Leaders, Small Group Resources campaign/campaigns, coaching, small group resources The resources on this website help small group leaders in their vision to build life-transforming community in their settings. Read more »
May 25, 2010	0	ShapeVine Small Group Resources, Why Small Groups? culture, disciple/discipleship, missional, small group resources Those who have a vision for missional life and discipleship will find many fascinating recources and connections on this site. Read more »
May 25, 2010	0	BuildingChurchLeaders Small Group Resources articles, disciple/discipleship, leadership, small group resources, training Those involved in church leadership on a variety of fronts will find valuable samples, downloads, training tools and opportunities to connect with other leaders. Read more »
May 25, 2010	0	LifeWay Small Group Resources articles, lesson helps, research, small group resources, trends The research results published by LifeWay will assist and equip leaders with insight and advice that will lead to greater levels of health and effectiveness in churches and small group life. Read more »
May 25, 2010	0	BibleGateway Small Group Leaders, Small Group Resources Bible, research, Scripture This is an invaluable tool for those who lead small group Bible studies. Read and research scripture online in the language or translation of your choice. Read more »
May 25, 2010	0	SmallGroupTrader Small Group Resources articles, case studies, leadership, small group resources, training This website is sure to keep you aware of what's happening on the front lines of small group ministry. Read more »
May 24, 2010	0	Small Groups.com Small Group Resources articles, leaders, newsletter, small group resources, training If you're looking for practical resources, training tools, ways to organize your ministry, or vision casting articles, this is the place to go. A free newsletter is available, but full access of the site is well worth the annual fee. Read more »