SG² Steve Gladen on Small Groups

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

Saddleback Works Small Group Network Virtual Lobby The Other Half of Church Book     ★ Support this podcast ★

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

Register for the Small Group Network Virtual Lobby Today! ★ Support this podcast ★

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

This week Kevin Lee joins Inside Saddleback. Contact Kevin at KevinL@saddleback.com  The New Digital Edge Article 2021 Connections Retreat   (Marks of a Good Shepherd) From Jesus in John 10 By Rick Warren        GOOD SHEPHERDSGIVE PERSONAL ATTENTION TO INDIVIDUALS “The good shepherd calls his own sheep by name...”  John 10:3                                 GOOD SHEPHERDSLEAD BY EXAMPLE “After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them,...”                                                                          John 10:4a          GOOD SHEPHERDSDEVELOPS TRUST THROUGH RELATIONSHIPS “The sheep follow the good shepherd because they recognize his voice.  They won't follow a stranger.”  John 10:4-5   GOOD SHEPHERDSSACRIFICE FOR THOSE THEY LEAD ‘The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” John 10:11     GOOD SHEPHERDSSTAY WITH THE FLOCK IN TOUGH TIMES “A hired hand will run away when he sees a wolf coming. He will abandon the sheep because they aren't his and he isn't their real shepherd. So the wolf attacks and scatters the flock, but a hired hand runs away because it’s only a job,  and he has no real concern for the sheep.”  John 10:12-13   From Other Scriptures   GOOD SHEPHERDSFEED & LEAD WITH LOVE “He will feed his flock like a shepherd. He will carry the lambs in his arms, holding them close  to his heart. He will gently lead the mother sheep with their young.”   Isaiah 40:11 (NLT)   “When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd.” Mark 6:34     GOOD SHEPHERDSKEEP GROWING IN KNOWLEDGE & SKILL “I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will lead you with knowledge and understanding.”    Jeremiah 3:15 (NIV)   “David shepherded them with integrity of heart; with skillful hands he led them.”    Psalm 78:72 (NIV)       GOOD SHEPHERDSHELP THE HURTING "Prophesy against the shepherds of Israel. Give them this message from God:  Shouldn't shepherds take care of their sheep?…But you have NOT strengthened the weak. And you have NOT supported the sick. And you have NOT bandaged the broken.”  Ezekiel 34:2+4       GOOD SHEPHERDSGO AFTER THE LOST “You have not gone looking for those who have wandered away and are lost… So I (the Lord) will hold you responsible for what has happened to my flock.”       Ezekiel 34:4b + 10 (NLT)       GOOD SHEPHERDSSERVE JOYFULLY “Care for the flock of God entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly--not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God. Don't lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your good example. And when the head Shepherd comes, your reward will be a never-ending share in his glory and honor.”        1 Pet 5:2- 4 (NLT) ★ Support this podcast ★

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

How do we move from a homogenous church or group to one that welcomes full participation of people from different ethnicities? Why is it so important for churches to reflect their communities and be ethnically integrated as a reflection of the full Gospel? What can we do in our small groups to help create safe spaces for people to discuss issues related to ethnicity and socioeconomic differences as part of our discipleship?  Listen as Dr. Derwin Gray envisions and calls churches to "grow out of ignorance, classism, racism, and greed into the flourishing, vibrant, and grace-filled communities of believers that God intended."    Guests:  Dr. Derwin Gray & Kristel Avecedo     Bio: Dr. Derwin L. Gray, a former NFL player, is the founding and lead pastor of Transformation Church (TC). Transformation Church is a multiethnic, multigeneration, mission-shaped community in the Charlotte, North Carolina area. Derwin and Vicki have been married for twenty-eight years and have two adult children. Derwin is the author of Building a Multiethnic Church: A Gospel Vision of Love, Grace, and Reconciliation in a Divided World and the host of Marinate on That Podcast Kristel Acevedo serves at Transformation Church as a Content Creator and also works in small groups ministry. She writes transformational discipleship resources in English and Spanish and is passionate about helping people get connected to God and each other.    LINKS: https://www.derwinlgray.com/ https://www.kristelacevedo.com/ https://transformationchurch.tc/   ★ Support this podcast ★

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