Leading Small Groups That Thrive: Five Shifts to Take Your Group to the Next Level

by Ryan T. Hartwig, Courtney W. Davis, Jason A. Sniff, Jared Musgrove (Foreword by)

Overview

Nearly every church is trying to help their congregants build relationships with others, grow as disciples, and/or engage in meaningful service through small groups. Many have argued that these small groups are the preferred vehicle for relationship building, disciple making, and membership assimilation in the local church, especially in large, multisite churches.

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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780310106708
Publisher:	Zondervan
Publication date:	08/11/2020
Pages:	272
Sales rank:	467,930
Product dimensions:	5.40(w) x 8.30(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Dr. Ryan T. Hartwig is Dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences and Professor of Communication at Colorado Christian University, where he teaches group, organizational, and leadership communication courses. His research centers on teamwork, group facilitation, and collaboration, particularly in the church. His first book Teams That Thrive (Inter Varsity Press, 2015) was named Outreach Magazine’s Leadership Resource of the Year and won the 2015 Readers’ Choice Award from Inter Varsity Press. Ryan hosts a blog at www.ryanhartwig.com, and can be found on Twitter at @rthartwig.

Dr. Courtney W. Davis is Assistant Professor of Communication Studies at Azusa Pacific University, where she teaches organizational, small group, and professional communication. Her primary area of research involves communication in organizations with a focus on organizational entries of newcomers, member exits, organizational knowledge, and identity. She earned a Ph.D. in Organizational Communication from the University of California, Santa Barbara and has consulted with and coached church and parachurch organizations, non-profit organizations, and professional associations.

Jason A. Sniff is pastor of small groups at Eastview Christian Church in Normal, IL, and a licensed professional counselor with over 15 years of working and developing group life within the private and public sectors. Jason currently serves as the Illinois Director for the Small Group Network (Saddleback). He earned his M.A. In Educational Psychology (emphasis in Community Counseling) from Baylor University in Waco, TX.

Table of Contents

Foreword by Jared Musgroue, groups pastor at The Village Church ix

Introduction: Why We Needed This Book (and Why You Might Also) xiii

Part 1 Three Questions to Ask Right Now

1 What's the Big Deal about Groups? Casting a Powerful Vision for Groups 2

Guest Commentary: Groups Do What Pastors Can't Tim Lucas

2 What Does a Catalytic Leader Do? Painting a Picture of Next-Level Group Leadership 17

Guest Commentary: Group leader, Your Groups Pastor Wants You to Know Mark Howell

3 How Do I Get Where I Want to Go? Mapping a Plan to Develop a Thriving Group 35

Guest Commentary: Accelerating Community in Short-Term Groups Danah Brad Himes 35

Part 2 Five Shifts to Take Your Group to the Next Level

4 Confused to Compelling: Energize Your Group by Articulating Your Purpose 52

Guest Commentary: The Power of Aligning Your Church's Mission and Small Group Values Dave Ferguson

5 Disengaged to Dedicated: Set the Stage to Keep People Coming Back 74

Guest Commentary: Reaching the Fringes Chris Surratt

6 Mine to Ours: Cultivate Commitment through Shared Ownership 99

Guest Commentary: How My 12-Step Group Changed the Way I Lead Small Croups Vivian Mabuni 99

7 Trivial to Transformative: Stimulate Meaningful Discussions 118

Guest Commentary: Nearness and Racial Reconciliation Natasha Sistrunk Robinson

8 Avoidance to Embrace: Engage Difficult Conversations without Destroying Your Group 140

Guest Commentary: learning to Hear One Another Amy Jackson

Part 3 Three Essential Disciplines to Sustain Your Long-Term Effectiveness

9 Your Care: Cultivating and Sustaining Your Own Health 160

Guest Commentary: Lead from the Inside Out Pete Scazzero

10 Your Legacy: Recruiting and Raising Up New Leaders 179

Guest Commentary: Tapping into the leadership Potential of the Majority of Your Congregation Kadi Cole 179

11 Your Charge: Expanding and Multiplying Groups 200

Guest Commentary: Small Groups Are Still the Answer Obe Arellano

12 Your Best Next Step 217

Guest Commentary: Assess and Take Action, Over and Over Steve Gladen

Appendix A Resources to Help You Grow as a leader 225

Appendix B Thoughts and Reflective Questions for Pastors 226

Appendix C Where Did We Get These Ideas? Stats, Numbers, and Data 234

Acknowledgments 240

Notes 243

Editorial Reviews

'Since the church was born, small groups have always been a vital part of Christianity, and they will only become more important in the future. This book is a gift to God's family, filled with resources to give you the right foundation and practice for thriving small groups.'

David Guzik

'For years I've hoped for some real research about how and why groups work. Yours feels the most accessible. I'm not being polite when I say this, but if a person was only going to buy one book on small groups, I'd direct them to yours!'

pastor and author of Essential Guide for Small Gro Bill Search

'The staggering amount of research in this book has been used to create practical, doable takeaways for anyone in small group leadership who wants to see the people in their groups thrive. I'm SO thankful this book is now available to leaders.'

director of The Perch and former publisher of Smal Amy Jackson

'Leading Small Groups That Thrive is an important book for all of us who realize that the church is not an event, but a community with a cause! Ryan, Courtney, and Jason combine passion for small groups with solid research, real-life stories and practical tools to show us how to get good at groups. If you want to know how to make disciples and foster genuine Biblical community then this is a must read!'

Dave Ferguson

'We're constantly asked: How can I improve my small groups ministry? I'm grateful for this book that provides great answers to the questions small group leaders consistently ask. Based on robust research and the science behind what makes groups work, this book lays out an actionable plan to take your group from barely surviving to thriving. It's my pleasure to recommend it to you.'

pastor of small groups at Saddleback Church and au Steve Gladen

'Small group ministries are the great conundrum in most American churches. Everybody says they're vital, but few have figured out how to make them actually work. Frankly, we've been given too much theory and idealism and not enough research highlighting the best practices that really work. This book will be a great help to the church at large.'

Larry Osborne

'Want to learn the secrets of sustainable momentum to overcome groups that struggle, limp along, and eventually sputter out? This outstanding book is chock full of fresh insights, practical tools, and a powerful roadmap that can lead any group to the next level. If you've ever wondered how to cast a compelling vision for small group life that equips existing leaders and raises up new ones, this is a must-read! I can't wait to get this into the hands of our leaders!'

lead pastor of Liquid Church Tim Lucas

'Inspirational. Catalytic. Strategic. Read this book to discover key questions, powerful mindset shifts, and essential leader habits for a flourishing small groups ministry.'

D. Scott Barfoot

'This fresh, powerful book is gold. Both engaging and informative, it shows small groups that thrive and empowers leaders to move their groups to greater health. Seasoned leaders will be surprised by the new insights that the book brings out.'

Warren Bird

'Based on rock-solid research, this gem unearths the strengths and weaknesses of many small group ministries, and offers assessment tools to evaluate your ministry. But, most of all, this is a leadership book. When leaders read and apply Leading Small Groups That Thrive, they'll grow into effective, confident, transformational disciple-makers.'

Rick Howerton

'This book speaks visionary truth with empowering grace. Combining fascinating real-life research with insightful questions, thoughtful analysis, compelling models, and pragmatic recommendations, this is a unique and valuable resource for small group leaders and ministries.'

small groups pastor and host of the Group Talk pod Carolyn Taketa