SG² Steve Gladen on Small Groups

Q Are you feeling burnt-out as a ministry leader? Q Do you know other ministry leaders who are on the edge of burn-out? If so, you've come to the right place... The greatest gift you can give those you lead is your own healthy soul. So often, as pastors and Christian leaders, we get weary and depleted behind the scenes even while our ministries are thriving and successful. The statistics on pastors struggling with depression, anxiety, and burnout are alarming. Lance Witt is the founder of a ministry called REPLENISH, which has been around for 10 years. It is dedicated to helping people live and lead from a healthy soul. Prior to starting Replenish, Lance served 20 years as a senior pastor and another 7 years as an Executive/Teaching pastor at Saddleback Church in Southern California. He led Saddleback’s small group Campaigns, such as 40 Days of Purpose and 40 Days of Community. Currently, along with speaking, consulting and training, Lance does Life Plans, individual coaching, and staff training and development. He has published a book called Replenish and is currently working on a new book on High Impact teams to be released in 2018.  Host Carolyn Taketa asks Lance the following questions and more in this exclusive interview... So how do we care for ourselves in such a way that we minister from a healthy soul? What are the warning signs to look for? What spiritual disciplines and practical activities help us replenish our souls and keep us flourishing both in ministry and in our personal lives?  Just click the play button at the top of this post to enjoy this insightful discussion! To subscribe to our Group Talk Podcast, click HERE ★ Support this podcast ★

"What will our groups study?" This is a common question in groups ministry and one that is critically important in shaping the dynamics and discipleship process of a group. The sermon based model has been increasingly popular over the past decade and can be a valuable tool to helping groups get into Scripture with one another in practical, life-changing ways. In this conversation with Dave Ennes, we unpack the what, why, and how of the sermon-based model. Dave has been on staff at North Coast Church (the Sticky Church) since 1990 and is the lead pastor of their Small Groups Ministry. He oversees a team of 25 staff, 1,500 lay leaders and over 7,000 who attend their home groups. Under Dave’s leadership, North Coast remains well-known for maintaining over 80% adult participation in weekly home groups. He has also played an integral role in helping North Coast grow from 700 to now over 12,000 weekend attendees. Given Dave’s decades of experience, his coaching and training has been valuable for small group leaders and veteran ministry leaders around the country, no matter the size or type of ministry. Host Carolyn Taketa asks Dave the following questions and more in this exclusive interview! What are the basic aspects of the sermon based small group model? What are the advantages of using sermon based curriculums for small groups? What are the challenges of the sermon based model? Just click the play button at the top of this post to enjoy this insightful discussion! To subscribe to our Group Talk Podcast, click HERE -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   Are you a member of our Facebook Group? Benefits include connecting with other small group ministry leaders world-wide, sharing ideas, asking questions and receiving insightful resources! To join this amazing community, click HERE ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ★ Support this podcast ★

Words are powerful. As small group pastors and directors, a critical part of our role is to use words to shape vision, empower, encourage, and connect with people. But, is the terminology you are using in your ministry inadvertently creating barriers, limiting vision, and miscommunicating expectations? Andrew Mason is the Small Groups Pastor at Real Life Church in Sacramento, CA and the founder of SmallGroupChurches.com. Andrew also serves as the Small Group Network's NorCal Regional Leader and has started multiple "Huddles." Listen to this engaging conversation between Host Carolyn Taketa and Andrew as they tackle common words (e.g., leader, coach, training) used in Small Group ministries and examine the intended and unintended consequences of those words! Just click the play button at the top of this post to enjoy this insightful discussion! To subscribe to our Group Talk Podcast, click HERE ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   Are you a member of our Facebook Group? Benefits include connecting with other small group ministry leaders world-wide, sharing ideas, asking questions and receiving insightful resources! To join this amazing community, click HERE --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ★ Support this podcast ★

What does it take for women to flourish in ministry?  If you or anyone on your team are asking these questions, then you’ve come to the right place! Host Carolyn Taketa interviews Awana CEO and SGN Lobby Conference speaker, Valerie Bell on her insights based on decades of ministry in various leadership settings. This lively conversation addresses a variety of issues concerning women in leadership such as leading through influence rather than title, mentoring, gaining credibility, timing and opportunities, responding to God's calling, the Billy Graham rule, the spiritual practice of "Christ between us," balancing work and parenting, and other challenges. Just click the play button at the top of this post to enjoy this insightful discussion! To subscribe to our Group Talk Podcast, click HERE ★ Support this podcast ★

Steve Gladen has served as the Global Pastor of Small Groups at Saddleback Church since 1998. He oversees the strategic launch and development of over 7,000 adult small groups on multiple campuses. Steve has authored “Small Groups With Purpose,” which has translated into eight languages to date, and “Leading Small Groups With Purpose.” Steve is also the Founder of the Small Group Network (SGN) giving influence and oversight to all the SGN initiatives. This special episode of "Group Talk" was recorded live at "The Lobby" conference in SoCal in early March with a live audience. Host Carolyn Taketa sits down with Steve Gladen and asks him an array of questions ranging from broad ministry philosophy to specific small group strategies. There are many moments of humor throughout that you will not want to miss! Just click the play button at the top of this post to enjoy this insightful discussion! To subscribe to our Group Talk Podcast, click HERE ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- We’ve noticed that most of the practical learnings and best practices you bring home from a Small Group conference were shared “in the lobby” with other Small Group Ministry Leaders rather than from the main stage. It’s in the Lobby that you can engage in an in-depth conversation about real-life issues in your Small Group Ministry. The Small Group Network One Day Lobby Gathering – Tennessee will intentionally facilitate these types of interactions. REGISTER   ★ Support this podcast ★

Q What are the emerging trends in small group ministry? How are millennials viewing small group ministry? What are wholistic small groups? If you or anyone on your team are asking these questions, then you’ve come to the right place! Mike Mack has been involved in discipleship and small group ministry for more than 25 years, most recently at Northeast Christian Church in Louisville, KY. He founded SmallGroups.com in 1996 and has led small group training seminars across the US as well as in Canada and Brazil. He is a consultant and leads a ministry called small group leadership and is the author of eight books about small groups and discipleship, most recently, “World’s Greatest Small Group.” He is currently an adjunct professor at Cincinnati Christian University and teaches a class on Small Group Ministry & Discipling. In this month’s “Group Talk” podcast, host Carolyn Taketa discusses the following topics with Michael in this exclusive interview… How millennials are viewing small groups in today's culture How to leverage the connections you already have in your life to do groups Train and trust: how to have a balanced leadership structure in ministry Wholistic groups and emerging trends in small group ministry  How to have the worlds greatest small group Just click the play button at the top of this post to enjoy this insightful discussion! To subscribe to our Group Talk Podcast, click HERE ★ Support this podcast ★

In this episode, Eric Falcinella asks Steve a very important question while he was sitting alone drinking a coffee at Starbucks. It was a great impromptu conversation. Enjoy!   ★ Support this podcast ★

Three Seasons of Ministry: What I Wish I Had Known Part 3: Sustaining  Steve Gladen has served as the Global Pastor of Small Groups at Saddleback Church since 1998. He oversees the strategic launch and development of over 7,000 adult small groups on multiple campuses. Steve has authored “Small Groups With Purpose,” which has translated into eight languages to date, and “Leading Small Groups With Purpose.” Steve is also the Founder of the Small Group Network (SGN) giving influence and oversight to all the SGN initiatives. In part 3 of this 3 part “Group Talk” podcast series, host Carolyn Taketa interviews Steve on the following topics in this exciting interview about 5 things to pay attention to in each season of ministry. How to build a board of directors that can help navigate & sustain life & ministry How to pour into & equip other churches & leaders Learning to trust, yet verify How to be aware of tunnel vision How to stay hungry for the long haul Just click the play button at the top of this post to enjoy this insightful discussion! To subscribe to our Group Talk Podcast, click HERE ★ Support this podcast ★

Three Seasons of Ministry: What I Wish I Had Known Part 2: Stabilizing Steve Gladen has served as the Global Pastor of Small Groups at Saddleback Church since 1998. He oversees the strategic launch and development of over 7,000 adult small groups on multiple campuses. Steve has authored “Small Groups With Purpose,” which has been translated into eight languages to date, and “Leading Small Groups With Purpose.” Steve is also the Founder of the Small Group Network (SGN) giving influence and oversight to all the SGN initiatives. In part 2 of this 3 part “Group Talk” podcast series, host Carolyn Taketa interviews Steve on the following topics in this exciting interview about 5 things to pay attention to in each season of ministry. Learning to understand and flow with your church culture Creating a blue-print for your ministry and knowing what to focus on Stopping drift and staying true to your metrics Remembering your calling and overcoming insecurities Growing your volunteer leadership team Just click the play button at the top of this post to enjoy this insightful discussion! To subscribe to our Group Talk Podcast, click HERE ★ Support this podcast ★

Three Seasons of Ministry: What I Wish I Had Known Part 1: Starting Steve Gladen has served as the Global Pastor of Small Groups at Saddleback Church since 1998. He oversees the strategic launch and development of over 7,000 adult small groups on multiple campuses. Steve has authored “Small Groups With Purpose,” which has been translated into eight languages to date, and “Leading Small Groups With Purpose.” Steve is also the Founder of the Small Group Network (SGN) giving influence and oversight to all the SGN initiatives. In part 1 of this 3 part “Group Talk” podcast series, host Carolyn Taketa interviews Steve on the following topics in this exciting interview about 5 things to pay attention to in each season of ministry. The main objectives to focus on in year one of being a new small group point person. Building trust with your senior leadership (Listen to Steve discuss this more.)  Taking time to develop a blue-print for your ministry  Staring out with small steps The 5 phases of changing church culture  Building relationships & finding the right mentors to support you Just click the play button at the top of this post to enjoy this insightful discussion! To subscribe to our Group Talk Podcast, click HERE ★ Support this podcast ★