SG² Steve Gladen on Small Groups

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 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 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 ★

The world is becoming increasingly complex, while at the same time becoming increasingly interconnected. The reality is that with each revolution the planet Earth makes around the sun, our countries, cities and communities look less and less like they used to. The world is a very different place than it was 50 years ago. There is a great migration taking place in many parts of the world, and the beautiful thing about these changes is how much smaller the world has become in the process. Exponential urban and immigration growth has given us unprecedented exposure and access to diversity, varied ethnicities and cultures and with it all, opportunities to learn from one another.  Increasingly, the churches in our cities are becoming microcosms of the cities themselves. Along with the beautiful array of culture and diversity can also come challenges in terms of meeting the wide range of ministry needs for diverse people groups, understanding other cultures and serving those we may not completely understand.  In this month’s Group Talk, Carolyn Taketa welcomes Mark Nam, to talk about these challenges and opportunities. Does your ministry have a plan and system to welcome and minister to refugees, foreign domestic workers and diverse ethnicities? How can your church address issues of justice and reconciliation? Is your church even a place where those of different cultures would feel welcome to worship and experience community? These are all questions that must be addressed by the 21st century church that desires to grow and thrive in today’s culture. Because this isn’t the world that we used to know.” Mark Nam is the Community-Life Pastor at The Vine Church, an international church in Hong Kong. He is originally from the UK where he graduated from the University of Wales with an honours in law. Mark began working at The Vine as a worship pastor in 2007, recording three albums with Integrity Music under The Vine Band and was instrumental in establishing Worship Central Asia, a school of worship originating from Holy Trinity Brompton in London. Since 2013, Mark has been responsible for the spiritual-development and care of The Vine’s Small-Group communities, that meet across Hong Kong, Kowloon, New Territories and out-lying islands. He also spearheads Family-Life, a ministry of The Vine that aims to bring practical teaching and training focused on Christian values. ★ Support this podcast ★

Diversity is a beautiful thing. People, cultures, perspectives and ideas come in all shapes, sizes, colors and variations, adding tremendous depth and value the tapestry of life we're all part of. And just like people, cultures, perspectives and ideas, personalities also come in all shapes, sizes, colors and variations. This, too, is a beautiful thing, However, problems tend to surface when we fail to understand and appreciate the diversity of personalities and how that diversity impacts and adds value to our environments, relationships and leadership styles. In this month's Group Talk, Carolyn Taketa talks with Amy Jackson and Tom Kang about learning to understand and appreciate the diversity in personality types and how finding value in the nuances of the various temperaments can help you shape effective ministry environments and experiences. Amy Jackson is a managing editor at Christianity Today and oversees the websites SmallGroups.com, ChristianBibleStudies.com, and Gifted for Leadership. She has served as a small group minister and has a M.A. in Christian Formation and Ministry from Wheaton College. Smallgroups.com is a widely used resource for small group ministry leaders with 2.5 million page views per year. You can connect with Amy on Twitter @AmyKJackson. Tom Kang is the Men’s Pastor at Saddleback Church where he provides point leadership for the men at their central campus in Lake Forest, CA. He was originally born and raised in NJ and most recently served as a Teaching Pastor & Campus Pastor at Liquid Church, before coming to Saddleback in 2015. You can connect with Tom on Twitter @kangsta and TheManlyMinute on YouTube. ★ Support this podcast ★