Building a Life-Changing Small Group Ministry

by Donahue, Bill; Robinson, Russ

• ISBN13: 9780310331261
• ISBN10: 0310331269
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2012-04-03
• Publisher: Zondervan

Summary

Our hearts were made for deep, authentic relationships---for community with others. And like nothing else, small groups provide the kind of life-giving community that builds and empowers the body of Christ and impacts the world. In this book, part of the Groups That Grow series of small group resources, authors Bill Donahue and Russ Robinson provide guidance for the strategic decisions that must be made to establish, develop and grow a thriving small group ministry in the local church. In Building a Life-Changing Small Group Ministry, they answer questions like:* Which approach or model for small group ministry is best for my church? * Who has responsibility for the ministry and how are they supported?* How do I organize the groups and coach the leaders?* Where do I find leaders and what kind of training do they need?* How do I guide people toward community life? What are the pathways and events that move people to become part of a small group?* What kinds of groups should we offer? * How do you multiply groups and launch new groups?* How do we define success in this ministry?As you work through the questions in each chapter you'll develop a coherent, strategic plan for building and leading the small group ministry at your church. And whether you are establishing a new ministry or transitioning from older models of small group ministry that are no longer effective today, you'll benefit from the time-tested wisdom of the authors. This workbook can be used as a stand-alone resource or it can be used with the five-session training videos taught by the authors available on the Equipping Life-Changing Small Groups DVD (sold separately).

Author Biography

Dr. Bill Donahue, Ph.D., is a popular speaker, writer and coach in areas of leadership development, group life, and vision clarity. Bill has authored over a dozen books and resources including the bestselling Loading Life-Changing Small Groups and Coaching Life-Changing Small Group Leaders (with Greg Bowman). To contact Bill visit-www.drbilldonahue.com. Russ Robinson has been the Director of Ministries and Small Groups for Willow Creek, and is coauthor with Bill Donahue of Building a Church of Small Groups and Walking the Small Group Tightrope: He continues to consult, write and speak while practicing law in the Chicago area.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	p. 7
Introduction: Change Is Possible	p. 9
Ministry Clarity: The Foundation for Small Group Strategy	p. 23
Point Leadership: The Architect of Ministry Development	p. 49
Unified Structure: Implementing a Coaching Strategy	p. 77
Leadership Development: Developing Leaders Who Develop Leaders	p. 93
Connection Strategy: A Place Where Nobody Stands Alone	p. 125
Group Variety: Expanding Group Life to Foster Spiritual Growth	p. 145
Open Groups: Reproducing Leaders and Groups	p. 157
Measuring Progress: Assessing Your Ministry's Next Steps	p. 169
Leading Change: Breaking through Barriers	p. 189
Strategic Planning: Key Questions for Data Gathering	p. 209
Epilogue: End with the Beginning in Mind	p. 221
Reading the Bible with an Eye for Community	p. 225
Popular Group-Ministry Models	p. 229
Strategic Planning Grid and Work Pages	p. 233
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