by Rick Warren
 Last month we began exploring how we can take wise risks as leaders
and the effect fear can have on us as we begin to think about taking
risks. This month I will begin discussing the six necessary steps for
accessing risk. 1. The first step is information. Get the facts. Before you do anything, before you make the decision, you need to get the facts. Proverbs 14:8 says this, "The wise man looks ahead. The fool attempts to fool himself and won't face the facts." A
lot of people live in denial. They deny that their marriage is in
trouble. They deny that their health is in trouble. They deny that
their finances are in trouble. They won't face the facts . Eighty percent of all new businesses fail within five years. Why? Because they're started on a foundation of uneducated enthusiasm. They
haven't done their due diligence. They haven't done their marketing,
their planning, or their research. They say, "I'd like to do this. It
sounds like a good idea. I'll just do this." And that's why they don't
last five years. [ Read full article]
Create Leadership with Intention and Focus
by Steve Gladen
 On Friday night August 13th, we had a Gathering for our
infrastructure of the Small Group Community for Saddleback Church. It is
called our Community Leader Gathering. We had over 350 Community
Leaders in attendance (our CLs oversee our Small Group Leaders). Later
this fall, we will have our Gathering for the Small Group Leaders (we
use the term Hosts). That Gathering is called our Small Group Host
Gathering. In case you didn't get a chance to read it, check out my past
article on the purpose and importance of Gatherings here.
As I reflect on our most recent gathering, I am reminded of ten
leadership points that need to be in place for such a gathering. I will
share them with you in this article.
by Steve Gladen  As fall approaches, many churches are starting new small groups. Why
not give your new groups some suggestions for health and balance from
the beginning? Make these same suggestions available to your existing
groups as a great way to breathe life and excitement into their group
time. Fellowship
- Anytime someone new joins the group, go out to eat together. A casual
restaurant is a comfortable, nonthreatening setting to introduce the
new person to the group. It can sometimes be awkward for a new person to
find himself sitting in a stranger's living room, surrounded by people
he doesn't know. But a restaurant meeting, on the other hand, is just
about having a meal, some laughs, and a good time. A restaurant meeting
is also great for inviting nonbelievers. It can be tough to invite a
nonbelieving coworker to church and even tougher to invite him or her to
a Bible study group. It's much easier to invite that coworker to a
restaurant to have dinner with a bunch of your friends. [ Read full article]
By Lance Witt
"The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways, but the folly of fools is deception"Proverbs
14:8 (NIV). One of the crying needs of ministry leaders today is to
"give thought to their ways". In the grind and pressure of daily
ministry, it is easy to be consumed with driving the car without giving
thought to where it is going.
We
tend to give lots of attention and focus to where the church car is
headed but not as much attention to where the "personal" car is headed.
Most every church or parachurch ministry I know will take a couple of
days annually to retreat and talk about plans for the future. Goals are
established, initiatives are considered, resourcing is allocated, and
course corrections are made. These leadership gatherings are crucial for
the future effectiveness of the ministry.
Looking for a small group study? We feature new material every month.
Books, websites, and videos of interest to those directing small group ministries. |
We are very excited to announce that our new Small Group Network Website is ready for your use! 
