SG² Steve Gladen on Small Groups

Goal: To know how to set and be comfortable having coffee/follow ups with Small Group leaders.Why: We want you to be totally comfortable contacting and meeting with small group leaders.It is important to remember that these folks are just like you. They have goals, fears, hurts, insecurities, families, family problems, health concerns and everything else you can imagine.Be confident - Biblical basics:God owns everything, and I am His manager. (Ps. 24:1, Matt. 25:14-30)You are their pastor.You are responsible for their health (2 Cor 5:10)Know the landscape:These are financial, spiritual and emotional issues.Isolation, spiritual voidMaterialism, 1/3 of those earning over $250k per year live paycheck to paycheck.Business, environment setting their prioritiesPrepare Yourself:Am I living out biblical health in my own life? Do you buy what you sell?5 purposesActive in my group balancing the purposesHave YOUR own story ready to share.Where do you start:Review your group list:You may already know some of your SGL as they are very involved as volunteers, but you may have had no idea who they are. Many of these folks are not well connected, don’t attend a lot of events and may not even be on your radar.Start small and grow into the listHow many engagements can you do?Pick some names to begin and learn as much as you can before you meet:Check HC and know family names, ministries, time at SaddlebackZillow their address for where and how they liveGoogle them and their companyCheck LinkedIn, Facebook, IG etc.Make the invitation:If you know them, simply call, text, or email that you would love to grab a cup of coffee when it is convenient for them. If they ask what you want, simply say I just want to spend time with you and get to know you better. Another line I use is, I like to invest my time with the folks who are investing in our church.If you don’t know them, we have found that having an assistant set up the meeting works very well. They can call and simply say the Pastor Dave would like to see if you would get together with him for a cup of coffee. Are you available on the 23rd? They almost always ask, what does he want or why does he want to meet with us? The simplest answer is usually the best. Pastor Dave loves to meet with our members, and he gives me a list to contact, and you are on that list. This seems to take the edge off and I have never had a no.Pick a place close to them, not you. They may suggest it, or you can, based on their home/work geography. Pick a time most convenient for them.While I meet mostly with men, very often they ask to bring their wives which is perfect. Obviously if you are just meeting with a woman, you need to bring someone else with you such as your 101 or worship pastor, someone mature in their faith as well and comfortable in this environment.I often send a text confirming the time and placeMeet them and be on time!! (Early is even better)Relax and enjoy the conversation: Don’t be intimidated, pretend you’ve been in the end zonebefore!They want to be treated like regular people and have a lot of the same problems and issues,plus some that others don’t have. There is no need to make it awkward, in fact, start withtheir story.Share the vision for the church, Groups and your excitement and enthusiasm will becontagious.We do not need to ask for anything! We just need to Pastor people.Initiating Conversations, Discipling is relational, be their Pastor.Here are some easy open-ended questions:Tell me your story.How did you come to Saddleback?Tell me about your family?Tell me about your work/company?What are your passions, hobbies, dreams?How is God growing and stretching you?Which areas of your life are easiest to put God first, and which are hardest?What do you think God is working on in your life?Wrap up questions:Is there anything we can be doing better at Saddleback to support you and yourfamily?How can I be praying for you?Offer to pay – but 9 out of 10 times, the member will treat you.Always send a follow up text or note thanking them for their time and for treating you to coffee/breakfast and telling them that you will be praying for what ever they asked for prayers for.Thank them for making an earthly and eternal difference.A couple Don’ts:If they are group leaders with means, never ask for anything for yourself. Don’t forget to follow up on anything they mentioned. Something you said you would send them or someone you promised to introduce them to.Don’t make a commitment that you may not be able to keep such as get Andy to attendtheir kid’s 1st birthday party.Don’t start on your agenda (hard data) but their agenda (soft data) ★ Support this podcast ★

In this episode, Steve Gladen breaks down 5 areas where ministry leaders can re-imagine how they do coaching for their groups ministry. The following is what will specifically be covered in this show:History of CoachingStaff or volunteersServe in one Help in anotherSaddleback’s history—building upon, keeping best of…1.0 version (1998)1:5—I could recruit faster than our growth2.0 version (2005)—why it changed, it was broken1:25 paidIntroduced not equal care, but strategic care4 Buckets and Reactive/pro activeName changed from Coaches to CL’s because of paradigm shiftCare 70% Administration, training, connecting 30%,Get in for right reason, but get out for right reasonCL Retreats3.0 Version (2009)—why it changed, it couldn’t scale financially1:25 volunteered, above sameIntroduced any span of care a CL could do4.0 Version (2014) why it changed, they weren’t sure what to doIntroduced the “Starbuck’s” green apron more developmentalFRIENDLEADERCOACHHard and Soft data collectionSkip Level, Trust but Verify5.0 Version (2017) why it changed, we discovered other factors not giving maximum alignmentIntroduced the Village conceptAlignment6.0 Version (2021) why it changed, discovered different types of CL’sHOST to Leader to CL to MinisterCL CourseTraining ModulesTrack training (next gen beyond Starbuck’s green apron) 5 Areas to Reimagine Coaching The Ethos (the environment the CL lives in)the family system (w/o parents it is risky)How’s the family (you, coaches and Group leaders)Do you know what you are producing—the end in mindThe Reason (for the CL)Directive Disciple MAKING—management and guidance, Space flight PSGWP page 201Tom Landry quoteBaseline, Know the health metrics HA & GHAHow will you give course corrections (ideas, curriculum, encouragement, etc.)The Process (finding CL’s)The Group Leader pathway HOST to Leader to CL (P3) to MinisterCompetency and CapacityRetreatsIntroductory CourseThe Pathway (growing the CL)The Coach engagement pathway to the HOST; FRIEND—LEADER—COACHThe Coach’s pathway of growth for themSGP guidanceModules TrainingCourse(s)RetreatsThe Influences (that help the CL)…what I call the VillageShare the Village, who’s in helping? Who surrounds the Small Group speaking health?People (primary)Small Group Point PersonCL or CoachSenior PastorProcesses (secondary)Training Pathway for the leaderTools (HA and GHA)Training Pathway for the CLNewsletterSmall Group Weekend Table connectionSmall Group Website home pageWeekend servicesLeader Retreats and SGHStreaming content (curriculum and training)Social MediaTestimoniesFAQ’sShownotes:smallgroupnetwork.com/smallgrouphttps://sb-web.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/saddleback.com/connect/smallgroups/9958-SmallGroupsCL-Booklet_Interior_Interactive_092101.pdf ★ Support this podcast ★

From the Lobby Gathering in 2019, Pastor Rick Warren shares his heart on Small Groups and what is to come. ★ Support this podcast ★

Steve Gladen, Global Small Groups Pastor at Saddleback Church, pulls from his 20+ years of small group ministry experience to encourage and equip listeners to lead healthier, growing and more effective small group ministries. In this episode, Steve is joined by co-host Derek and special guest Christina Dawson (Life Groups Director at the Woodlands Church in Texas to talk about 7 ways data can help you and your small group ministry. In this episode we discuss:How accurate data is criticalHow the number one rule with data is use it yourself How do diligence with data isn’t enoughSales commission structure & how it worksHow setting achievable exceptions is a mustHow group health & corporate training are essentialWhat to do before you meet your peopleChristina Dawson Bio:Christina loves to serve people and has been doing so professionally for 19 years. Aftergraduating from high school she took on numerous sales roles in both restaurant andretail settings. It was here that she learned the necessities of user experience andcustomer engagement.In 2012, while working in a furniture store, one of her customers, who happened to bethe CEO of a Canadian manufacturing company, was so impressed with her service, hehired her as as his Executive Assistant. While taking on numerous roles within thecompany, Christina discovered a strong passion for workforce development.In the spring of 2014, she was selected to manage and develop a two-year pilotworkforce program by the Bowling Green Kentucky Area Chamber of Commerce.After completing her contract, she continued her mission for economic development bystarting her own workforce communications and marketing firm, Southern Kentucky Jobs.Worldly success in entrepreneurship left her exhausted and disappointed.In early 2020, the Lord miraculously gave Christina the opportunity to serve overseas.She sold everything she had and traveled across the globe where she would contributeto the growth and development of a children's hospital. After living, working, and sharingJesus with orphans in rural Africa, Christina has new eyes and a grateful heart.A Kentucky native, Christina currently resides in Houston, Texas, where she is serving theLife Groups Team at Woodlands Church. She continues to work as a company cultureconsultant in the manufacturing industry.CRM & UX Outline ★ Support this podcast ★

Steve Gladen and James Browning look at the history of the small group network and what things that are currently happening that could make a big difference for you or your ministry. ★ Support this podcast ★

Steve Gladen, Global Small Groups Pastor at Saddleback Church, pulls from his 20+ years of small group ministry experience to encourage and equip listeners to lead more effective small group ministry. In this episode, you will hear an audio recording of Rick Warren talking to the Saddleback church staff about his 10 Principles of Exponential Thinking. Steve Gladen will then breakdown how you can apply these 10 principles to your small group ministry. The following is what will specifically be covered in this show:First – exponential growth is possible.Second – exponential growth is the New Testament model.Third – exponential growth brings honor to God.Fourth – exponential growth captures the attention of the unbelieving world.Fifth – exponential growth is caused by God.Sixth – exponential growth is the result of God’s blessing on your life.Seventh – exponential growth makes God smile…in fact, He rewards it.Eighth – the only barrier to exponential growth is our own unbelief.Ninth – the secret of exponential growth is believing God for big things.Finally, Tenth – exponential growth begins with exponential thinking.Choosing Growth over ControlThe Book of Acts is one of the best resources we have to understand the growth of the church during its formative years. A brief read through of this section of Scripture can quickly show us that the church preferred growth over control as they would preach to thousands and then baptize them shortly afterward. As witnessed throughout Acts, explosive growth was a good problem to have, for it established a foundation upon which its teachings could stand upon. Similarly, we too must be okay with the mess that new small groups may create. Instead of focusing primarily on if a new small group leader is maintaining sound theological discourse within their very first meeting, we are challenged to celebrate the fact that Jesus is being discussed at all and that members are coming together to form community. But doesn’t bad theology and misinformed teaching create more complication for the kingdom of God? Yes, however just as we see in the Bible, doctrine and teaching was provided shortly after Acts through the writings of the Epistles. Just as how Paul conducted “on-the-job” training via letters to the churches he was mentoring, we too can choose growth first and then later practice the approach of surgically addressing any theological concerns through a consistent roll-out of bite-size trainings.A Culture of GroupsWhile we all wish our congregants would be fully devoted followers of Christ who are consistently serving, attending a small group, and in-the-know of the church calendar at all times, the reality is that many of our churchgoers only step foot onto church grounds for Sunday service (or online for virtual Sunday service). In other words, Sunday morning may in fact be the only shot we have to help promote small groups and/or explain the benefits of small groups. If our churches only mention small groups twice a year at the times when there are coordinated group launches, then this means that the typical church attendee only will hear about small groups 4% of the year (even less if they miss one or both of those two services!). If the church’s leadership agrees that small groups are one of the most important ministries within the community, then we become challenged to display the fact that small groups are indeed a part of our church’s DNA. To help execute this, some strategies can include: (1) head pastor buy-in (where the senior pastor becomes one of the most vocal proponents of small group ministry and even attends a group themselves); (2) Church calendar events that strategically funnel individuals into newly created groups (and/or church events that don’t interfere with the weekdays on which small groups typically meet); or (3) Consistent small group promotion from the pulpit (Not every message needs to be a small group sermon, but every message can contain a shout-out or a 30 second tie-in to small groups).Lowering the BarriersIn a post-Covid world, small group ministries have found themselves challenged to embrace new methods in facilitating and nurturing community. While meeting in-person will always be the ideal method of meeting in groups, what we do know is that the concept of virtual groups is here to stay. During this time that we find ourselves in, what type of group is easy to duplicate, is able to meet both online and in-person, is easily sustainable, and also is easy to lead? As we arrive on the other side of the widespread disruption that Covid-19 had brought with it, sermon discussion groups may very well be the perfect type of “growth over control” group to launch within our church’s small group ministry. A sermon discussion guide is not only able to empower anyone to host a group and facilitate engaging conversation, but it also allows what Steve and Dave encouraged us all to practice during last year’s Lobby: rather than simply telling our groups what to do, we instead provide for our groups the destination we want them to reach while utilizing the values we want them to use in order to arrive there. Even though a model of sermon discussion groups chooses growth over control, it does so within a framework that provides its groups a set of guardrails within which to operate. In other words, groups are not grown without oversight, but instead are grown within a model that becomes quite appealing to a post-Covid world where both in-person and online groups are meeting on a regular basis. ★ Support this podcast ★

 Spiritual Health Assessment ★ Support this podcast ★

Steve Gladen, Global Small Groups Pastor at Saddleback Church, pulls from his 20+ years of small group ministry experience to encourage and equip listeners to lead healthier, growing and more effective small group ministries. In this episode, Steve is joined by co-host Derek to answer the question "should small groups gather during the summer?" ★ Support this podcast ★