“Groups of seven or fewer people have a significantly higher failure rate, produce less fruit, and cause everyone involved more frustration and anxiety than larger groups. The solution is simple: encourage bigger groups. Allow up to twenty people to sign up for each of your groups. By allowing this many people to sign up, your projected number of actual … Read More
Larger Small Groups are More Effective
“Sometimes small groups can be too small. Groups with seven members or fewer are difficult to lead and more likely to fail, while groups of twelve to fifteen are more effective at fostering healthy relationships and encouraging spiritual growth. Many leaders mistakenly think that larger groups lose their intimacy, make meaningful relationships harder to cultivate, and frustrate members who … Read More
The Right Question to Ask if You Want to Grow Your Small Groups
“When you set up a small group system with your committed churchgoers in mind, you inevitably create a process that makes it easy for members and regular attenders to get signed up or signed up again. And yes, this is a problem. When something seems like second nature to your regulars, there’s a good chance that people who are … Read More
100% Adult Participation in Small Groups is Possible!
Thank you to Bookshout for their recent 5-star review of the revised and expanded Activate: An Entirely New Approach to Small Groups. Kerrick Thomas and I wrote this book together with the goal of helping churches build a small groups system that motivates 100% adult participation. We’ve been using these principles here in NYC for the last 16 years and regularly see … Read More
John Wesley, Small Groups, and Becoming Students of the Word
The following post is from my good friend and John Wesley authority, Dr Bob Whitesel. I had the tremendous privilege of traveling with him on a UK tour to study the “Footsteps of John Wesley.” This immersion was so powerful that I invited Dr. Whitesel to speak for a half day on the church growth principles of John Wesley (we … Read More
New Year’s Half Off Sale – Ends Friday!
As we wrap up this year today, I want you to kick-start 2015 with maximum energy and impact! My first resolution is to help you do exactly that by equipping you with the resources you need – so I’m giving you dozens of my most powerful training resources for up to 50% off in the BIG NEW YEAR’S HALF OFF SALE! There are over … Read More
Maximize Summer By Being Creative With Small Groups (Part 2)
Summer small groups are also an ideal way to raise up new group leaders, for two reasons. Number one, many of your regular leaders will want to take the summer off. In fact, we encourage a summer break. You don’t want leaders to get burned out. And through their break, you open up the opportunity for people who have never led before to step in. … Read More
Maximize Summer By Being Creative With Small Groups (Part 1)
Many churches decide to take a break from small groups during the summer, which is a perfectly legitimate thing to do. But if your structure allows for it, summer groups can be extremely effective for getting new people plugged in… especially if you do them creatively. The summer weather gives you and your group leaders the opportunity to plan lots of fun groups that … Read More
Groups Pastor Wanted @ The Journey in South Florida
We’re looking for just the right “A” player to fill a key pastoral position here at The Journey Church – Boca Raton We’re looking for a Groups/Teaching Pastor to join our team – Don’t apply unless you love semester-based groups & Nelson Searcy’s book Activate! However, if you’re passionate about groups and willing to devote yourself to “giving the people of South Florida … Read More
How to Deal with “Inappropriate Sharers” in Your Small Groups
Roy Mansfield here – Pastor of Spiritual Development at Northstar Church in Panama City, Florida, Senior Pastors Coaching Network Alumni and regular guest on Nelson’s blog. Quick post for you today about how to handle an awkward and difficult situation that occurs from time to time in your small groups… What would you do if someone in a mixed (men & … Read More