Leading Small Groups That Thrive shows small group leaders, step by step, how to plan for, launch, build, sustain, and multiply highly effective, transformational, healthy small group experiences where people grow spiritually together.
Based on a large-scale research study of small group pastors, leaders, and members, Leading Small Groups That Thrive gives church leaders both what they want–practical, straightforward, actual small group member voices and experiences, and compelling guidance on how to build transformational groups complemented with real-life examples and data of successful small groups–and what they need–substantial, challenging insights and a data-driven model grounded in the latest research on church small groups.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Foreword by Jared Musgrove, Groups Pastor at The Village Church
Introduction: Why We Needed This Book (and Why You Might Also)
PART 1: THREE QUESTIONS TO ASK RIGHT NOW
1. What’s the Big Deal about Groups? Casting a Powerful Vision for Groups
Guest Commentary: Groups Do What Pastors Can’t by Tim Lucas
2. What Does a Catalytic Leader Do? Painting a Picture of Next-Level Group Leadership
Guest Commentary: Group Leader, Your Groups Pastor Wants You to Know by Mark Howell
3. How Do I Get Where I Want to Go? Mapping a Plan to Develop a Thriving Group
Guest Commentary: Accelerating Community in Short-Term Groups by Danah and Brad Himes
PART 2: FIVE SHIFTS THAT TAKE YOUR GROUP TO THE NEXT LEVEL
4. Confused to Compelling: Energize Your Group by Articulating Your Purpose
Guest Commentary: The Power of Aligning Your Church’s Mission and Small Group Values by Dave Ferguson
5. Disengaged to Dedicated: Set the Stage to Keep People Coming Back
Guest Commentary: Reaching the Fringes by Chris Surratt
6. Mine to Ours: Cultivate Commitment through Shared Ownership
Guest Commentary: How My 12-Step Group Changed the Way I Lead Small Groups by Vivian Mabuni
7. Trivial to Transformative: Stimulate Meaningful Discussions
Guest Commentary: Nearness and Racial Reconciliation by Natasha Sistrunk Robinson**
8. Avoidance to Embrace: Engage Difficult Conversations without Destroying Your Group
Guest Commentary: Learning to Hear One Another by Amy Jackson
PART 3: THREE ESSENTIAL DISCIPLINES TO SUSTAIN YOUR LONG-TERM EFFECTIVENESS
9. Your Care: Cultivating and Sustaining Your Own Health
Guest Commentary: Lead from the Inside Out by Pete Scazzero
10. Your Legacy: Recruiting and Raising Up New Leaders
Guest Commentary: Tapping into the Leadership Potential of the Majority of Your Congregation by Kadi Cole
11. Your Charge: Expanding and Multiplying Groups
Guest Commentary: Small Groups Are Still the Answer by Obe Arellano
12. Your Best Next Step
Guest Commentary: Assess and Take Action, Over and Over by Steve Gladen
**We regret that there is a typo at the bottom of page 136 of the book in the contribution by Natasha Sistrunk Robinson. The last sentence in the second to the last paragraph reads “injustice” when it should read “justice.” To be clear, we do not want anyone taking “actionable steps towards racial injustice.” This will be corrected in the next printing of the book.