The One Thing

Where do small groups come from and why does it matter? Silas Thiem explores the origins of small groups in focussing on Sydney churches, highlighting how cultural shifts and para-church movements helped shape their development. It’s a reminder that small groups weren’t always about structured Bible study—they started as spaces for connection. This episode asks whether they’re still the right tool for the job, or if it's time to rethink how they function in the life of the church.Silas Thiem is the equipping minister at St Alban's Lindfield in the North Shore of Sydney.TOOLBOX:"The Origins of the Home Group in Sydney Anglican Churches, from Unfamiliar to Indispensable" Lucas, Vol 3 no. 4 Dec 2024, p 152-186. Lucas is the journal of the Evangelical History Association.Ep 418 Measuring small group health with Richard SweatmanCREDITS:This episode was brought to you by TrellisThe One Thing is brought to you by ⁠⁠Reach Australia⁠⁠To pray for Reach Australia, join our ⁠⁠WhatsApp Group⁠⁠For ideas or questions please email ⁠⁠resources@reachaustralia.com.au⁠⁠Support Reach Australia's online library

How do you actually measure whether small groups are actually working? Richard Sweatman from Hunter Bible Church joins us to unpack what matters most – from clarifying purpose, to tracking attendance trends, to assessing leader health, group dynamics, and individual growth. He shares practical tips as well as pitfalls to avoid when appointing leaders or multiplying groups.TOOLBOX:Example survey for measuring group healthLeading Small Groups That Thrive by Ryan T. Hartwig, Courtney W. Davis and Jason A. SniffRichard’s Review of Leading Small Groups That ThriveUnmissable Church by Richard Sweatman and Antony BarracloughBeing a Small Group Leader by Richard SweatmanWriting a Small Group Study by Richard SweatmanCREDITS:The One Thing is brought to you by ⁠⁠Reach Australia⁠⁠To pray for Reach Australia, join our ⁠⁠WhatsApp Group⁠⁠For ideas or questions please email ⁠⁠resources@reachaustralia.com.au⁠⁠Support Reach Australia's online libraryThis episode was brought to you by Youthworks

Across Australia, church buildings sit underused or sold off—while church planters struggle to find space to gather. These buildings, raised by past generations, could potentially be a lifeline for thriving plants.In this episode, we explore questions of stewardship, the identity challenges facing struggling churches, and practical models—from rentals to mergers—that could keep these spaces serving gospel purposes for decades to come.TOOLBOX:Contact: derek.hanna@reachaustralia.com.au How can your church be involved in church plantingCREDITS:This episode was brought to you by ExdiaThe One Thing is brought to you by ⁠⁠Reach Australia⁠⁠To pray for Reach Australia, join our ⁠⁠WhatsApp Group⁠⁠For ideas or questions please email ⁠⁠resources@reachaustralia.com.au⁠⁠Support Reach Australia's online library

Who needs to be in the room? How to choose the right voices for strategic conversations, spot unproductive meetings, avoid groupthink, and build trust-filled, high-functioning teams.Key Points:Symptoms of the “wrong people” in a meeting: conflict, stagnation, or too much agreementWhy character, teachability, and team culture matter more than titlesHow to navigate shifting roles with humility and clarityPractical frameworks (like Myers-Briggs types or Thinking Hats) to build balanced teamsThe danger of filling rooms with people who think just like youTOOL BOX:Ep 404 Three dysfunctional types of teams and how to fix themEp 383 You're better at this than me and other phrases build-teamsEp 357 Inheriting and building teams (Ray Galea)Ep 387 How to run a meeting CREDITS:This episode was brought to you by QuizworxThe One Thing is brought to you by ⁠⁠Reach Australia⁠⁠To pray for Reach Australia, join our ⁠⁠WhatsApp Group⁠⁠For ideas or questions please email ⁠⁠resources@reachaustralia.com.au⁠⁠Support Reach Australia's online library

Is prayer the most neglected part of ministry? In this episode, Peter Adam challenges our prayerlessness as a form of worldliness and warns that pastors must lead in prayer—not just in godliness or preaching. We explore why our prayers are often shallow, how pre-written prayers can train us to pray with greater depth, and why ignoring prayer in meetings and leadership is a missed opportunity. Peter also digs into what unanswered prayer reveals about our self-centred assumptions.Peter Adam is a retired theologian who was previously principal at Ridley College and is now Vicar Emeritus of St Jude's Carlton in MelbournePrayerlessness is a form of worldlinessPastors must lead in prayer, not just godliness or preaching.We need more varied and theologically rich prayersPre-written prayers (like those in the Prayer Book) train us to pray wellPrayerlessness in meetings and leadership is a missed opportunityUnanswered prayer reveals our self-centred assumptionsTOOLBOX:Prayerfulness by Peter Adam Peter Adam’s website with further resources on prayerGospel Coalition article on leading intercessions in church.CREDITS:This episode was brought to you by Lending HandsThe One Thing is brought to you by ⁠⁠Reach Australia⁠⁠To pray for Reach Australia, join our ⁠⁠WhatsApp Group⁠⁠For ideas or questions please email ⁠⁠resources@reachaustralia.com.au⁠⁠Support Reach Australia's online library

How can movies open the door to meaningful conversations about faith?Russ Matthews from Reel Dialogue joins us to share how films can help spark gospel conversations in everyday life. We talk about why asking good questions and listening well matters, how couples can partner in mission together, and what Russ has learned from using mainstream movies as a starting point for sharing Jesus.The power of asking good questions and listening in evangelismWhy Russ wrote Real Marriage as a story, not a manualHow couples can work together for mission in everyday lifeUsing mainstream movies as conversation starters for faithWhat Reel Dialogue offers churches: resources, training, and events TOOLBOX:Reel Dialogue – Movie reviews, discussion guides, training, and eventsBooks:Reel MarriageThe Word Becomes FilmThe Maker’s Quest (for teens)TOT 295 Reel DialogueFree book giveaway: email resources@reachaustralia.com.au with your addressCREDITS:This episode was brought to you by Safe Ministry CheckThe One Thing is brought to you by ⁠⁠Reach Australia⁠⁠To pray for Reach Australia, join our ⁠⁠WhatsApp Group⁠⁠For ideas or questions please email ⁠⁠resources@reachaustralia.com.au⁠⁠Support Reach Australia's online library

Multiplication—it sounds bold, ambitious, risky… maybe even unrealistic. But is it? Should every church, including yours, be involved multiplication. Derek and Scott unpack what holds churches back from multiplying, whether you're in the city or regional areas, in a large church or a small church.What do we mean by multiplication?What stops people thinking about multiplication in terms of convictions, culture and constructs?What are the options for a church to be involved in church planting if they are not ready to plant?TOOLBOX:Church Multiplication Hub – where your church fits on the multiplication spectrumChurch Planting Australia PodcastMultisite workshop PlaylistCREDITS:This episode was brought to you by Try Fruit TrellisThe One Thing is brought to you by ⁠⁠Reach Australia⁠⁠To pray for Reach Australia, join our ⁠⁠WhatsApp Group⁠⁠For ideas or questions please email ⁠⁠resources@reachaustralia.com.au⁠⁠Support Reach Australia's online library

A recent gathering of church leaders aimed at boosting gospel growth in Australia revealed bold ambitions. The target? Doubling the number of Reformed evangelicals in twenty years. The discussion tackled why collaboration is essential, focusing on practical steps for effective church planting and community engagement. Personal anecdotes highlighted how small changes can trigger significant spiritual growth. There's a strong emphasis on moving from mere discussion to action, urging congregations to unite for transformative mission.

Carla and Corey Matthews have been part of two church plant launch teams — not as planters or staff, but as everyday church members offering time, energy, and faith. In this episode, they share:Why they said yes (twice!) to joining a launch teamHow it shaped their spiritual livesWhat it’s really like to serve on a team from day oneThe costs and sacrifices of leaving a comfortable churchAnd why church plants need more than just plantersWhether you're curious about church planting or wondering how God might use you, this honest conversation is for you.Carla and Corey helped launch Cornerstone Anglican Church Box Hill, Sydney and Rouse Hill Anglican Church, Sydney.TOOLBOX:TOT 375 Learning from two new churches that launched in 2024Church Planting Australia PodcastOpportunities to PlantCREDITS:This episode was brought to you by Church SuiteThe One Thing is brought to you by ⁠⁠Reach Australia⁠⁠To pray for Reach Australia, join our ⁠⁠WhatsApp Group⁠⁠For ideas or questions please email ⁠⁠resources@reachaustralia.com.au⁠⁠Support Reach Australia's online library

Planting a multisite church is like swimming in medium water. It’s a stretch—without the fear of drowning. Jade Hajj unpacks how planting Rockdale as a campus of Grace City has given him space to grow in ministry while being deeply supported by a strong team and solid structures.Highlights:A multisite plant offers training wheels without being a tricycleThe two main things for a multisite church to workJade's personal journeyWhy bootcamp was usefulTOOLBOXTOT 375 Learning from two new churches that launched in 2024Church Planting Australia PodcastGospel Workers QuestionnaireChurch Planters QuestionnaireMultisite workshop PlaylistCREDITS:This episode was brought to you by EA InsuranceThe One Thing is brought to you by ⁠⁠Reach Australia⁠⁠To pray for Reach Australia, join our ⁠⁠WhatsApp Group⁠⁠For ideas or questions please email ⁠⁠resources@reachaustralia.com.au⁠⁠Support Reach Australia's online library