The Best Part of Your Week: How to Make Groups Fun, Relational, and Life-Giving - Featuring Brad Shank

Enhancing Small Group Ministry: Insights from the Lobby Gathering

In this episode of SG Squared, Steve Gladden and James Browning discuss the annual Lobby Gathering event in Southern California, which brings together small group pastors from around the world. The conversation highlights the inception of the Lobby Gathering, emphasizing the importance of practical networking over traditional conference sessions. The episode features insights from Brad Shank of Christ's Church of the Valley (CCV), who outlines four key rhythms for creating vibrant small groups: eating together, doing life together, growing together, and serving together. Shank stresses the significance of these rhythms in fostering genuine relationships and spiritual growth, offering practical advice for making groups the best part of members' weeks by embodying the spirit of the early church. The episode encourages listeners to reevaluate their small group practices to foster environments filled with joy, generosity, connection, and mission.

To take advantage of the early bird discount, head to https://smallgroupnetwork.com/events

00:00 Introduction to the Lobby Gathering
00:33 The Origin of the Lobby Gathering
00:59 Mistake #1: Wrong Assumptions
02:56 Mistake #2: Impatience
04:29 Mistake #3: Defensiveness
06:35 Insights from the Lobby Gathering
08:12 Best Part of Your Week: Building Life-Giving Groups
15:56 Four Key Rhythms for Small Groups
19:32 Practical Tips for Group Leaders
31:28 Conclusion and Final Thoughts