SG² Steve Gladen on Small Groups

TOPIC: What’s next for our small groups ministries? How do we go from all the uncertainty of this time - "here" - and move to where we want to go -“there?” How do we hold tight to the mission and values while reimagining groups in this new normal context?   Guest: Ben Reed is a Pastor at Mission Community Church just outside of Phoenix, AZ. At Mission, he oversees adult ministries: small groups, care and recovery, local missions, global missions, baptism, and a brand new ministry they’ve launched called Thrive. He is the author of the book, Starting Small, and blogs at BenReed.net.   http://www.benreed.net/exploring-uncertainty/ http://www.benreed.net/starting-small-the-ultimate-small-group-blueprint/ https://missionaz.org/thrive ★ Support this podcast ★

https://www.instagram.com/tv/CBNfFetAfc3/?igshid=1wfz90x66m23r&fbclid=IwAR2lGEW75Pd5vySCWM7bXnmDjC3pSvQFKZqShhhzd92DAW2wYKupGuFM4G4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=64viEf0DCEg ★ Support this podcast ★

4 Shows, 1 Podcast! Listen as we meet new hosts for our new shows!   Align Small Group Course ★ Support this podcast ★

Align: Learning Small Group Ministry Essentials - this new online training course is now open for enrollment!  7 COVID re-entry Musts for the Small Group Point Person 1. Reflect on the COVID season a. What loses—needs to stop b. What was temporary—was good for COVID c. What got discovered—part of the new normal d. What is Core—welcome back 2. What’s the Vision—it can’t be just virtual to physical 3. Clarify success—end in mind 4. Expect high emotion—racial, political, COVID—don’t explain away what’s going on. Presence is more important.  Psalm 27:13 5. Understand your governmental rules—CDC, Fed, State, County 6. Think through your guidelines 7. Pray—read Ephesian 6:10-12 Saddleback's Guidelines for Small Group Gatherings During COVID 19 Group Size—Limit group gatherings to no more than 10 Larger groups should sub-group and meet in different places or at different times. Location—Meet only in places where you can safely distance Meeting outside is encouraged when possible. Hosts should be prepared to clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that are frequently touched both before and after group (Door handles, chairs, restrooms, etc.). Protection—Wear masks This is especially important when people are arriving and socializing. Once group members are safely distanced, masks may be removed at the discretion of the leader and participants. Greetings—Greet from a distance As much as we may want to greet each other with hugs and handshakes, for now the loving thing to do is to avoid physical contact. Snacks—Bring your own snacks We are big proponents of food at small group gatherings, but during this season we are recommending that groups not eat together. If you do choose to eat, encourage members to bring their own beverage and snack. Digital Option—Offer a digital option Not everyone will feel comfortable attending in person at first so consider setting up a computer in your meeting area and using Zoom or some other application so that all group members can participate. As we start to gather together in small groups, remember you can mix it up every once in a while, and meet virtually again. Childcare—Leave children at home Due to the challenge of distancing with young children, at this time we are asking groups not bring children to meetings. Illness—Stay at home if you are sick Group members should stay home if they or anyone in their household is sick. If you have a temperature of 99.5 F, please stay at home regardless of how you feel. If you have been in contact with someone with COVID-19, quarantine yourself for 14 days. High Risk Individuals – Stay home if you are in a high-risk category Those who are 65+ or who have serious underlying health conditions should join online rather than in-person. Groups comprised largely of high-risk individuals are encouraged to continue meeting virtually. Expect high emotion—racially, politically and COVID Don’t explain away what’s going on. Presence and listening skills are more important now more than solutions.  Psalm 27:13-- Yet I am confident I will see the Lord’s goodness while I am here in the land of the living.  Listen, know who is in control and understand everyone is at a different place in each category. Fellowship – Enjoy making a healthy small group Regardless if you meet virtually or Physically, Christ’s command is that we build healthy small groups by balancing the five Biblical purposes in our groups and our lives—Fellowship, Discipleship, Serving, Evangelism and Worship. So, stay healthy physically and spiritually! Pray – Remember that this is a spiritual battle “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Ephesian 6:10-12 ★ Support this podcast ★

Amber has an educational background in Sociology and Cultural Anthropology. She has been working in Group Life on staff at the Church at Severn Run in Maryland for 5 years. Four years ago, Amber joined a SGN huddle, then became a huddle leader, and now is the SGN state leader for Maryland and moderates our Facebook page as part of the social media team.  ★ Support this podcast ★

A Faith That Plants Seeds Of Peace" with Pastor Rick Warren Undivided   Racism: How Should Christians Respond? Dr. Tony Evans Speaks From His Heart About Social Injustice ONENESS EMBRACED WITH TONY EVANS 4 One-Another’s to Promote Unity in Your Groups Ministry A Few Truths We Can Affirm as the Body of Christ  by Scott Sager In these difficult days, we at Lipscomb are praying for all our churches, that we might be those Ezekiel spoke of who repair the breach and stand in the gap. We realize it is difficult to know what to do, what to say, and how to say it. This can often paralyze us into saying and doing nothing. However, we need to know that saying nothing in a time like this can appear to others as though our silence is a symptom of unconcern. So with great humility and a belief that prayer and the Spirit will give each congregation the right way to "speak the truth in love" we offer these thoughts in the hope they can do some good: Think Christian-ly. It is easy to see a crisis through the lens given you by the media or some other outside organization. But we are to have "the mind of Christ" (I Cor. 2: 16). This means we "take every thought captive to make it obedient to Christ" (2 Cor. 10: 5) so that we "do not conform to the pattern of this world, but are transformed" through minds renewed by the Spirit (Rom. 12: 2). Resolve to think through this situation as Jesus would if physically present. Affirm the Divine Image in Every Person.The first chapter of Genesis affirms that each of us is created in the very image of God. We are each divine image-bearers. Jesus once told us, "Render unto Caesar the things that are in Caesar's image" but we are to render unto God the things made in God's image. Every person is a divine image of God regardless of age, color, or capacity. We each belong to God. Affirm that Breath Comes from God and Returns to God.Again it is God who “breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being" (Gen. 2: 7). The word "breath" and the word "Spirit" come from the same word. Thus when Jesus cried out from the cross, "Into your hands I commit my Spirit" (Luke 23: 46) he was likewise returning his breath to the One from whom it came. There is a sanctity to life that comes from God.  We Should Treat People as We Want to be Treated.The rule on the streets today might be "Don't do to others what you don't want to be done to you." But Jesus holds us to a higher standard: “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets” (Matt 7: 12). We should always be asking, "How would I feel if this happened to me?" Of all the places on earth, the church should most strive to treat people right.  Jesus is the Most Oppressed Person from the Most Oppressed People Group of All Time. I cannot possibly know what it is like to be part of a cultural group with story after story after story of abuse and oppression at the hands of a government system. But Jesus can. The prophet Isaiah spoke of Jesus and said, “He was oppressed and afflicted yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent so he did not open his mouth. By oppression and judgment he was taken away, yet who of his generation protested?” (Isa. 53: 7-8). No one protested at the oppression of Jesus, but he did it all for us. Jesus knows what people are going through today, and he cares.  Nothing Escapes God's Notice.Every person will one day bow their knee and admit that "Jesus is Lord" over all of creation. At that time we will be called to give an account for the things we did and didn't do while upon this earth. Jesus' own brother James reminds each of us,  "If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them" (James 4: 17). God is watching and nothing escapes his notice. One Day We WIll be Part of a Multitude from Every Tribe and Tongue. John's apocalypse shares this vision: "After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, 'Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!'" (Rev. 7; 9-10). One day we will all gather united around the throne, and the Lordship, of Jesus Christ. It is our privilege to beginnowmaking this vision a reality.  There are Things Each of Us Can Do: * Pray: That God will raise up leaders who will build us up, and stand in the gap to bring healing and reconciliation. Ask that you might be a part of that solution! * Listen: I have been amazed and overwhelmed by the accounts I am hearing from godly friends who have...

How to Cast Vision for Small Groups During Quarantine Vision For Breakthrough In Your Small Group Ministry  What’s Your Vision Coming Out of COVID-19 COVID-19 Small Group Resources ★ Support this podcast ★

COVID-19 Small Group Resources Facebook group Huddles   10 Commandments for Your Small Groups During Covid-19  1 Show grace to myself & others in my small group  2 Start & end each day refueling your soul 3 Set & stick with a routine for your small group 4 Stop political or dividing conversations in your small group 5 Touch base with group members between meetings   6 Share your feelings with your group members instead of stuffing them 7 Seek advice from group members before making major decisions  8 Pace your small group time  9 Serve those who are suffering 10 Control what’s controllable. Trust God for the rest ★ Support this podcast ★

COVID-19 ResourcesSG SGN Facebook Page SGN Huddles ★ Support this podcast ★

Patterns of Stress https://www.neurosequential.com/covid-19-resources Small Group Network COVID-19 Resources ★ Support this podcast ★