SG² Steve Gladen on Small Groups

This is a special episode provided to us by the Northeast Regional Leader, Chip Kelly. To set this up, Chip Kelly hosted an online Huddle where he invited other leaders along with Steve Gladen to discuss topics and issues about small group ministry leadership.  Enjoy!! ★ Support this podcast ★

Q How do you measure the fruitfullnes of small group ministry? How do you decide what metrics to you use? If you or anyone on your team are asking these questions, then you’ve come to the right place! Bill Willits is the Executive Director of Ministry Environments for North Point Ministries. NPM is the parent organization of six Atlanta churches (Including North Point Community Church) as well as twenty-three strategic partner churches around the world. Bill is one of the founding staff members of North Point and the architect of its influential small groups ministry model. He is also the co-author of the book, "Creating Community" with Andy Stanley. His passion for community along with his amazing team has helped them connect just over 80,000 children, students and adults into the benefits of group life. In this month’s “Group Talk” podcast, host Carolyn Taketa interviews Bill and asks him the following questions and more in this exciting interview… How do we know if someone is actually growing in their relationship with Jesus? What are the measurable wins that help us understand if we are really making progress? How do we get people from the rows into circles? What is the typical retention rate for small group leaders? 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 ★

Q Do you desire to be the best leader you can be? Would you like to strengthen the weaker areas of your leadership? Do you want to influence people like never before and help elevate your team to new heights? If your answer is "Yes," then you’ve come to the right place! Jenni Catron is the author of several books including "The 4 Dimensions of Extraordinary Leadership." She is also a leadership coach who consults churches and non-profits to help them lead from their extraordinary best. Jenni has also served as an executive leader at both Menlo Church in Menlo Park , CA with senior pastor John Ortberg and Cross Point Church in Nashville TN with senior pastor Pete Wilson. Jenni blogs at JenniCatron.com and has recognized by Outreach Magazine as one of the thirty emerging influencers reshaping church leadership. Take Jenni's "4 Dimensions Assessment" HERE In this month’s “Group Talk” podcast, host Carolyn Taketa interviews Jenni and asks her the following questions and more in this exciting interview… How do we be the best leaders we can be? What differentiates someone from being an ordinary leader versus an extraordinary leader? What are the 4 dimensions of extraordinary leadership? How can leaders sync their leadership strengths within their church staff leadership culture? 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 ★

Q As a small group point person, how am I cultivating my own relationship with the Lord? Q How do I create a culture of discipleship within my small group ministry? If you or anyone on your team is wrestling with these questions, you’ve come to the right place! Reid Smith has been equipping group leaders for effective disciple-making since 1996. He was a part of the Small Group Network from the beginning, serving as the Area Leader for the Northwest, and then South Florida in 2008 when he began serving in the discipleship ministries at Christ Fellowship church in Palm Beach, FL. Reid has served churches as a pastor, consultant, trainer, and author for such publishers as Christianity Today’s smallgroups.com and ministrygrid.com If you missed part 1 of this podcast, you can find it HERE In part 2 of this month’s “Group Talk” podcast, host Carolyn Taketa interviews Reid and asks him the following questions and more in this exciting interview… How can small group point people ensure that their leaders are being equipped & experiencing community with other leaders? When a group seems to get stuck or seems unhealthy, how much of that falls on the group leader? What advice would you give to pastors and coaches who manage groups that are stagnant? 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 ★

Q How do you define discipleship? How do you know that people are actually being discipled through small groups? If you or anyone on your team is wrestling with these questions, you’ve come to the right place! Reid Smith has been equipping group leaders for effective disciple-making since 1996. He was a part of the Small Group Network from the beginning, serving as the Area Leader for the Northwest, and then South Florida in 2008 when he began serving in the discipleship ministries at Christ Fellowship church in Palm Beach, FL. Reid has served churches as a pastor, consultant, trainer, and author for such publishers as Christianity Today's smallgroups.com and ministrygrid.com In part 1 of this month’s “Group Talk” podcast, host Carolyn Taketa interviews Reid as he  addresses the following topics in this exciting session… What are the core components of discipleship? Why are small groups essential environments to cultivate discipleship? What are the indicators that show people are actually being discipled through small groups? 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 ★

Q How do you change culture & lead effective small group ministry when your lead pastor or senior leadership may not be entirely on board? How can you align your small groups (House to house movement) to compliment your weekend services (Temple courts)? If you or anyone on your team is wrestling with these questions, you've come to the right place! 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 this month’s “Group Talk” podcast, Host Eric Falcinella interviews Steve as he answers the above questions and addresses the following topics in this exciting interview… How to lead with humility not entitlement  How to develop a reputation for responsibility  How not to be deceptive or manipulative  How to choose the right time, place & words to engage your pastor How to appeal to your pastors goals & interests How to trust God even if your pastor rejects your ideas How to know your calling 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 ★

Q What is the difference between small groups and support groups? How do we care for the people in our small groups in ways that are healthy without becoming therapists for them? How do we keep small groups on track for their intended purpose? If you or anyone on your team is wrestling with these questions, you've come to the right place! Jon Noto serves as Community Life Pastor at one of Willow Creek Community Church’s regional campuses. Jon coordinates discipleship and pastoral care, bringing his insights as a therapist to unite both ministries. Prior to serving at Willow Creek, Jon was a clinical therapist in a variety of settings, including Christian private practice and community mental health. Jon also writes for a number of online publications including the Small Group Network, smallgroups.com, along with his own website, theunwavering.com In part 2 of this month’s “Group Talk” podcast, Host Carolyn Taketa asks Jon the following questions and addresses the following topics in this exciting interview… How do you council leaders to handle broken & hurting people? Knowing when group members should give special care to someone in the group How long is an appropriate period of time to deal with a crisis during a group? The three categories of "Needy" people 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 ★

Q What is the difference between small groups and support groups? How do we care for the people in our small groups in ways that are healthy without becoming therapists for them? How do we keep small groups on track for their intended purpose? If you or anyone on your team is wrestling with these questions, you've come to the right place! Jon Noto serves as Community Life Pastor at one of Willow Creek Community Church’s regional campuses. Jon coordinates discipleship and pastoral care, bringing his insights as a therapist to unite both ministries. Prior to serving at Willow Creek, Jon was a clinical therapist in a variety of settings, including Christian private practice and community mental health. Jon also writes for a number of online publications including the Small Group Network, smallgroups.com, along with his own website, theunwavering.com In this month’s “Group Talk” podcast, Host Carolyn Taketa asks Jon the following questions and more in this exciting interview… How would you define a support group? How can small groups help people differently than support groups can? What do support groups do well that we can apply to small groups? 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 ★

Daniel Thomas is the Campus Pastor & Director of Adult Ministries at Highlands Fellowship Church in Abingdon, Virginia. Prior to that role, Daniel served as Highland's Small Groups Director and Leadership Development Pastor. He is the Small Group Network Regional Leader for the Atlantic Coast. In this month’s “Group Talk” podcast, Host Carolyn Taketa talks with Daniel about the following topics in this exciting interview… The differences between small group models & finding the right one that fits your church culture What essential qualities to look for in prospective leaders Thinking differently & changing your methods to find new leaders The value of being connected to a network of small group point people The importance of creating easy on ramps when recruiting new leaders Just click the play button at the top of this post to enjoy this insightful discussion! ★ Support this podcast ★

If you are interested in learning about how online groups can help you & your church fulfill its mission of reaching the un-churched & making disciples, then you've come to the right place! Jay Kranda is the Online Campus Pastor at Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, CA. The Online Campus includes over 20,000 people every week and 1,800 small groups, of which 40% are online. Jay is also the author of "Social Media Made Easy: Inexpensive Online Marketing Guide for Non-Profits" and hosts the podcast, "Social Media Church." In this month’s "Group Talk" podcast, Host Carolyn Taketa talks with Jay about the what, why & how of online small groups! Jay hits on the following topics in this exciting interview… How online groups can be used to reach millennials. The primary benefits of having online groups. When churches should consider launching online groups. How to use Facebook groups to begin experimenting with online groups. What platforms & software to use for online groups. ★ Support this podcast ★