Small Groups Blog

2012-01-13T05:33:00.000-08:00

GroupLife Midwest 2012
Parkview Christian Church, Orland Park Campus

Looking for an opportunity to sharpen your skills and grow as a small group leader? Here is outstanding training opportunity an hour and a half from Springbrook.

Friday, February 3rd from 7:00 to 9:00 pm
(Doors open at 6:00 pm)

Saturday, February 4th from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm
(Doors open at 8:00 am)

COST: $10.00 for lunch

No matter how you got your start as a small group leader or how long you’ve been leading, we want to invite you to join us at the staging ground of the leadership expedition, the journey of becoming everything God wants us to be.

As a small group leader, this conference will give you the encouragement and skill training you need to take your group members to a whole new place in 2012.

Steve Gladen, the Small Group Pastor at Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, CA (where Rick Warren is the senior pastor), will give two keynote presentations, and there will also be a selection of skill-training breakouts led by a team of nationally recognized small group ministry experts including Rick Howerton, Bill Donahue, Mindy Caliguire, Eddie Mosley, and Garry Poole.

For more information, check out GroupLife Midwest.

Questions? Contact Pastor Richard rwollard@springbrook.org

2011-11-13T15:51:00.001-08:00

Greetings small group leaders! On Sunday, November 13th, we sent a link to everyone at Springbrook inviting them to take a LifeTogether Health Assessment. The results of the survey will enable each person to evaluate 5 Biblical principles in their life based on the Great Commission and Great Commandments, but the real strength of the assessment is that you will be able to evaluate these principles for your small group to help you pick curriculum for our winter trimester starting in January!

In the email you receive each week to complete your small group attendance report, there is a link that says, "Update Your Group Information." When you click that link, it will take you to your small group information page, where you will find a link that says, "View group health assessment report." Click that link, and using a date rage from the 13th to the present day, you will be able to see the results for you group. Please ask everyone in your group to take the assessment, and then review the results with your coach before your group comes to an end.

We have some solid small group resources available for you to use based on these 5 principles, that will really enable you to take your group to the next level of spiritual maturity. If you have any questions about the assessment, please talk with you coach or Pastor Richard as soon as possible. Thank you for all you do to create and sustain life together at Springbrook!

You Are Making A Difference

2011-09-15T06:51:00.000-07:00

As we head into our fall small group trimester, I can't tell you how many times I've heard, "I don't have time for small group." Even as a leader, it can be easy to be distracted by everything on our calendar and think, "Oh man, I have to make time for my small group for the next 8 to 10 weeks."
It's interesting how people approach their calendars, but experiencing small group life is one of our primary purposes!
The Biblical example from those first Christians from Acts chapter 2 is this, "They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching, to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Day by day, they were with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart."
We have been created to be in community with other Christ-followers, and everything ELSE is a distraction! I am so thankful for each of our small group hosts and leaders, and for the impact they are having for the glory of God.
Here are some stories of life change I pray will encourage you today:

We started our small group with 7 people. 5 people had never been in a small group before, 1 of them was a brand new Christian, and we were all blessed!
We had tremendous spiritual growth in our group and a new awareness of God's love! 3 new people joined our group, and we feel we have known each other for years!
A member of our small group had her first baby, and she was blown away by the meals, prayers, and support she received from our group!
Two men in our group started attending with their wives. This was their first time to be in a group, and we have really been able to connect with them!
God moved through 2 members of our group who were heading in the wrong direction in life, and are now on His path not theirs!
Our small group has been able to support one another through financial difficulty, housing issues, and relationship issues. We have experienced break-through in accountability, openness, and compassion!

Those are just some of the stories I heard, and there are many, many more. You need to know that YOU are making a difference in the lives of others! Small groups are where it's at, so what's your story?

Emotionally Healthy Series

2011-08-25T11:41:00.000-07:00

Thank you to all of our small group leaders that were able to make one of gatherings these past few weeks. It was great being with you, and I treasured the stories you shared about where God was working!

Just as a reminder, or in case you were unable to be with us, below are the key milestone dates. If you did not get a copy of the optional 1-4 week study on Colossians chapter 1, you can download it from the Host page of our Small Group Website (link to the right).

Important Dates

--------------------------------------------------

Sept 3-4 Open Enrollment Starts

Sept 10-11 Open Enrollment

Sept 11 Membership Class

Sept 18 Lake baptism service

Sept 18-19 Last week of Open Enrollment

Sept 24-25 Series Kick-off
Oct 1 Men's Breakfast

Oct 16 Hayride

Oct 31 Next Steps Cards (3 wks out)

Count on my prayers for you and your small group, and let your coach or me know if you have any questions!

On the journey together,

Pastor Rich

Is Your Small Group Dead or Dying?

2011-07-13T05:53:00.000-07:00

Every once in a while I run across blog posts in my circles of relationships that really challenge me to think about where I am and what I'm working on; the link to this post from my friend Mark Howell was one of them!

Mark suggests 5 diagnostic questions that might help a small group answer the dead or dying question, and they are:

Is the group still an environment where life-change is happening?
What are the spiritual growth issues being worked on?
What are the spiritual next steps that are being taken?
Are there group members whose spiritual vitality is confined by the limits of the group?
Is the group just comfortable?

I would be interested in your thoughts about how this relates to our small groups at Springbrook. After clicking this link to read his post, please make some time to come back here and share your thoughts, and be sure to discuss the diagnostic questions with your coach or Pastor Richard. As we head into fall, let's us pray together for the full power of God to be unleashed through our small groups!

Summer 2011

2011-06-09T06:26:00.001-07:00

The kids are out of school, and summer have officially kicked off!

The stories of life transformation and spiritual growth this past winter and spring have been such an encouragement. I am really excited about what I know God is going to do the summer and fall and so thankful for you partnership in ministry.

I would like to ask you to join me in praying for our efforts of sharing God's love through simple acts of kindness with others in our community. If you could schedule your servant evangelism event as quickly as possible, you can lock in the date with your group and we can invite others at Springbrook to join you! To register you event, or for more information, click this servant evangelism link.

If your group is not meeting over the summer, be sure to change the start date for your group to the second week in August. This will prevent you from getting meeting report reminders all summer!

If you have any questions, please contact your coach or Pastor Richard. Thank you for allowing God to work in and through your small group, and count on our continued prayers!

And the survey says...!

2011-03-10T20:27:00.001-08:00

You and your group should have received two survey links this past week, and I wanted to give you a quick recap.
The first survey, "What's Next" was a SurveyMonkey survey designed with 2 purposes; 1) collect input about how you and your group members feel about your small group experience, and 2) share their desire to continue in your group, try another group or start a group on their own.
The second survey, "Health Assessment" was a ChurchTeams LifeTogether survey designed to identify where your small group has an opportunity for spiritual growth.
Each survey should take no longer than 3 minutes, and will provide you with valuable information to discuss with you coach. Please talk about and encourage everyone in your group to participate, the more feedback the better the results! The surveys will close the week of March 15th and the results will be shared with and come to you from you coach to facilitate discussions about how things are going.
If you have any questions before, during or after the surveys, please let me know!
Pastor Rich

2011-02-24T08:58:00.000-08:00

The stories of life transformation, outreach, learning and encouragement as we focus on Christ and God's will for our life is exciting, and I hope you are having as much fun in your small group as we are having in ours!

If you haven't had an opportunity for everyone to share their faith story with the group, I would really encourage you to do that. Do not take anything for granted, and if someone in your group has not been baptized, this is a great step to celebrate with and in your group! Please update the coaching notes in your weekly small group report with any updates or stories.

We will be sending a small group evaluation and spiritual growth evaluation to everyone in your group before the end of February with results on the feedback to follow. If you have any questions, please contact your coach or Pastor Richard.

Grace and peace to you, and may the simple truths of scripture continue to transform your heart, mind and lives!

2011 Winter Trimester Kick-off

2011-01-11T12:58:00.001-08:00

You and your small group are about to begin what could be a life-changing journey! This coming February 13th, we are launching our winter trimester with a 6-week sermon alignment series based on Romans chapter 12. This powerful study of True Spirituality in the life of Jesus will provide breakthrough teaching each week about what it means to be an authentic follower of Jesus Christ.

I am really excited about what I know God is going to do, and would like to ask you to do four things for me right now:

1. Talk and pray with your group about our upcoming series.
2. Open your group up to others at Springbrook not in a group.
3. Sign-up to be at the small group table after a service
[click here to sign up].
4. Pray that God would begin a new work in you moving forward from today.

You should receive a small group packet of information about our upcoming series by January 17th. If you have any questions in the mean time, please contact your coach or drop me a note.

I am really looking forward to what God is going to do in and through our lives, individually and corporately as we submit ourselves to His will!

Personally Preparing for 2011

2010-12-07T13:30:00.000-08:00

It seems like I just got a handle on this year, but am watching 2011 coming at me like a freight train! As I catch my breath and start working on my calendar for next year, I want to make sure I start off on the right foot - my own personal spiritual formation! So, I have just ordered a 2011 one-year devotional, Holiness: Day by Day by NavPress and thought you might enjoy it. Here is the link: http://tinyurl.com/d5kwsk

I'm not sure what you are planning, but I would like to encourage you to take a few minutes today to pray about what you would like to see God do in your life in 2011, and talk with you coach about it. If you have a few moments, share your thoughts with others by leaving a comment below.

I'm looking forward to starting each day with the deeply encouraging realization that I’m accepted by God, not on the basis of my personal performance, but on the basis of the
infinitely perfect righteousness of Jesus Christ!

Group Type = Group Focus

2010-11-10T08:39:00.000-08:00

Groups are often defined by their main focus and activity. Before deciding on studies or activities for your group, think through the central reason for why your group exists.

Process-oriented groups, or what we call Small Groups at Springbrook, focus on spiritual growth and/or social relationships and friendships among the members.

Content-oriented groups, or classes, meet for a specific period to study or discuss a biblical topic or passages. There is little or no time spent dealing with people or group dynamics.

Task-oriented groups meet to accomplish a purpose. The reason for gathering is why the group exists. There is an opportunity for spiritual or relational dynamics, but the group exists primarily to accomplish a task.

Need-oriented groups, sometimes called support groups, offer common understanding and encouragement. These groups are typically closed groups having a high degree of intimacy.

Determining the primary focus of your group will help you decide on studies or the specific activities your group should undertake. If you are looking for a way to take your group to the next level, download the LifeTogether Health Survey and have them complete the survey, or talk with your coach or Pastor Richard about having them take the survey on-line for you to review.

Adapted from The NavPress Bible Study Zone and How to Lead Small Groups by Neal F. McBride. © 1990 by Neal F. McBride. All Rights Reserved.
Survey from LifeTogeter and Purpose Driven Ministries.

Let The Birthing Begin!

2010-10-28T09:41:00.001-07:00

I'm not sure how many of you are aware of this, but this past September, we started seven (7) new small groups and saw an additional 46 people join a small group!
This is a big deal, and I wanted to invite you to join with me as we celebrate and praise God together for His work in and through our lives, our small groups and our church.
Multiplication is the opportunity for a small group to come along side of someone, to pray for them and send them out as God accomplishes His work in the life of a new group.
So many times I talk to leaders and would-be leaders about starting or birthing a new group, and there is a fear of uncertainty or of being alone. I want to encourage you today, not to let fear be your motivator; don't let fear rob you of the blessing God has for you and others. You are not alone; God, your coach and our small group leadership team are just an ear shout away!

Small Groups Kickoff!

2010-09-24T08:30:00.000-07:00

Well by now, you should have your group membership solidified and your materials passed out (if you picked them up from Pastor Rich, please get the $ back to him ASAP).

Last week, my group started and we did introductions and shared the material. This week we had two new couples join us, and had to work through the dynamics of starting the study on-time but also getting to know each other. There is so much too do in just 1 1/2 hours! 4 people in our group have to get up at 4:30, so we have to make sure we end on time.

After the meeting was over, I told my wife Carolyn, I feel like a first time small group host again! We have not had an opportunity to host a group since coming to Springbrook, and I feel a little rusty. That's okay though, because it keeps me dependent on God.

If you are host/leading a group, I want to thank you for your faithfulness and know that I am praying for you. May God continue to draw each of us closer to Him and each other.

LifeTogether Health Survey

2010-08-27T10:21:00.000-07:00

Many of your are asking about the LifeTogether survey we took in our training class, so I thought I would post some quick instructions.

Hard Copy
If you are interested in printing a hard copy to pass out in your group, simply click the Small Groups Website link to the right. Then click on the the Host/Leaders link of the website and you will find the assessment available to download at the bottom of the page.

On-Line
If you are interested in having everyone in your group take the survey on-line, ChurchTeams will summarize your group's results for you. Simply log into ChurchTeams using your password, click groups link, click on your group, and then click the "Invite group to take the survey link."

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact your coach or Pastor Richard!

Updating Your Group Descriptions

2010-05-27T07:10:00.000-07:00

If your group will be taking a break for the summer, or if you are coming back from summer break, please update your group information! Log into ChurchTeams, click on your group, click on Group information, and then make the following changes:

Study Topic: On Summer Break or Study Topic

Group Description
Come join our mixed adult group each Tuesday from 7:00 to 8:00pm for our 6-week Bible Study, "Growing in Christ Together." If you have any questions, please let us know, and we look forward to seeing you!

Start Date: 08/15/2010

Here is a [quick video] if you want to watch how to update your group information, or please feel free to talk with your coach or Pastor Richard.

Thank you!

Praying In Your Small Group

2010-01-15T09:53:00.000-08:00

One of the things I love about visiting small groups is that everyone of them is different and has a life of its own! Prayer is no exception and can not be reduced to a formula.

Over the years I have seen many different types of prayer in groups. Some groups go deep; REALLY deep. Some groups use a snorkel and skim the surface. Recognizing that all of us are a different places spiritually and emotionally, the expectation that it should look the same in every group is a mistake. The idea is to help people connect with God as they talk to Him, out loud or not.

One of the most effective ways I have seen prayer handled is to pray in a circle, going from person to person, giving each person the opportunity to pray, out loud or quietly. This way God is able to meet with each person based on where they are spiritually and the value of connecting with God through prayer is upheld. The most important part of this method is to explain what you are doing and why, and to remind people that pray silently to say AMEN out loud when they are finished so the person next to them knows it is their turn!

Anyway, check out [this link] for various types of prayer you might find interesting, and take a moment to share any ideas you might have. God bless you today!

Meeting Report Changes

2010-01-05T04:29:00.000-08:00

Effective January 1, after a small group host/leader completes their meeting report, they will immediately be taken to our small group blog, where they can post questions, find answers to commonalty asked questions, and find a wealth of information about small groups!

Update Your Group Descriptions!

2009-08-29T17:43:00.000-07:00

Need help updating your small group information? Take a moment to check out this helpful video: http://screenr.com/A18

Just Walk Across the Room !

2009-08-14T08:14:00.000-07:00

This September 12/13, we are kicking off a 4-weeks series called Just Walk Across the Room and we are looking for small group host homes!

August 15/16: Host Recruitment & Training
August 22/23: Host Recruitment & Training
August 29/30: Sign-up/Open Enrollment
September 05/06: Sign-up/Open Enrollment
September 12/13: Kick Off

If you are interested in hosting a small group for 4 weeks in your home, please contact Pastor Richard at (224) 569-3300 x213 or by email at rwollard@springbrook.org. If you have any questions, please post them here.

2009 Host/Leader Training

2009-07-15T10:45:00.000-07:00

Beginning July 22nd, we will be launching a 6-week a small group host/leader class for current and potential small group hosts/leaders. We will be meeting in the Springbrook conference room each Wednesday evening (excluding Aug 5th) from 7:00pm to 8:30pm.

Each week we cover one of the session topics listed below, plus we will be looking at a buffet of other leadership resources that will facilitate healthy, Biblical group life.

If you are interested in attending this class, or if you have any questions, please contact Pastor Richard at (224) 569-3300 x213 or by email at rwollard@springbrook.org.

Session Topics
Creating Biblical Community
Connecting With One Another
Fostering Spiritual Growth
Championing Spiritual Gifts
Ministering to Others
Celebrating Life Together

Summer Small Group Plans

2009-06-06T22:01:00.000-07:00

If your group is not going to be meeting over the summer, be sure to set you group to inactive on ChurchTeams. This will prevent you from getting a meeting report each week and prevent people from signing up for your group from the website.
HOWEVER, if you are going to be meeting occasionally socially, we recommend that you update your group information to reflect that, and leave your group active so that you can connect with new people over the summer!
If you have any questions, please contact your coach or Pastor Richard.

How can I email everyone in my small group?

2009-03-20T11:17:00.000-07:00

Would you like to send an email out to everyone in your small group? Maybe you have an upcoming event your want to remind everyone about, or you want to send out a prayer request to everyone in your group - can you do that? Yes you can!

To send an email to everyone in your group, simply follow this simple 4 step process:

1. Log into ChurchTeams from the small group page of our website or from our small group blog using your password (drop Pastor Richard a note if you have forgotten)
2. Click the link entitled 'Springbrook Small Groups'
3. Page down, and click on your small group (your group name is the link to your small group).
4. Click the link entitled 'Email the entire Group' just below the list of your group members (you can send an email from your account or from ChurchTeams).

Thank you Steve Stenger for your question! If you have any other questions, post them here!

Setting Up a Small Group on ChurchTeams

2008-12-10T14:21:00.001-08:00

To create a your small group, simply log in to ChurchTeams using your host/leader password, click on Springbrook Small Groups, and then click on Add a new group at the bottom of the list. The link below will take you directly to the page to create your group.

http://www.churchteams.com/Login.asp?oID=5274&page=CreateNewGroup.asp

Take a moment to click on the link below to watch an 8 minute "How-to and Walk Through" setup for leaders:
http://www.churchteams.com/coaching/ChurchteamsLeader.asf

Coaching questions for group leaders

2008-11-21T16:40:00.000-08:00

A. Early in the game (when they’re first assigned to you)

1. Spend 70% of your time with them coaching them to do what they need to do (lead the prayer time in their group, keep the discussion on track, manage conflict, shepherd goats, etc.).

2. Spend 30% of your time caring for them: getting to know them, finding out about their lives, their struggles, their families, etc.

3. Over time these percentages will shift as your hosts become more competent and confident.

4. Your initial conversations with each host should focus on finding out what their needs are. You may discover that they’ve been leading groups for years. You may discover that they’re terrified and eager for your help.

B. A little bit later in the game, focus your attention on being primarily a shepherd to them. Begin to identify which of your hosts would be able to coach a few new hosts themselves.

C. When you make your calls and contacts, focus on the following questions using the weekly group meeting report:

1. How did things go for you this week?
2. What are you celebrating?
3. What challenges did you encounter? How did you address this challenge?
4. Are there any pastoral concerns that need to be passed on to staff?
5. What specifically can I pray for you this week?
6. Have you invited anyone new to your group?
7. Is ChurchTeams up to date, is everyone’s information correct?
8. Where you prepared/are you prepared for the next meeting?
- Review DVD before meeting
- Arrange for food – if necessary
- Called any new people
- Prayed

9. How are you doing with watching the DVD
- Any questions about the material?
- Did you get through in time or skip anything?

10. What is next for you group?

Adding someone to your group in ChurchTeams

2008-11-19T11:46:00.000-08:00

I received a question from one of our small group host leaders this week. Here is the question and the answer:

Question:
I have someone that wants to join our small group for the 6 weeks! I tried to go to the site this morning to add them to the group, but the link for "JOIN THIS GROUP" is gone. Is there another way for me to add them to our roster?

Answer:
Because people’s names appear in a public website environment with the “Join this Group” option, it will only be active on the weekends during a small group sign-up period for security purposes.

To add someone to, or remove them from your small group at any time, go to our www.springbrook.org website, go to the small group page, and log into ChurchTeams as a small group leader with the password you were given, using all lower case letters.

After you log in, there are several things you can do as a leader, but click on the Springbrook Small Groups link and page down to your group. When you click on your group, as the leader, you have the ability to maintain all the information pertaining to your group.

At the bottom of the list of people in your group, you will find a link that says, Add New Members; click the link, and select their names from the list that pops up. If they are new to Springbrook, you might have to add their information. The whole process is pretty easy, and should be able to be done within a minute (probably less time that it took to read this email !)

How To Teach People To Pray In A Small Group

2008-11-19T11:23:00.000-08:00

For many people, praying aloud can be threatening. Novices may feel so anxious that they will back out of the group. How do we enable people to move from the fear of praying aloud to enjoying God's presence and others' presence as they pray together? The following eight-week plan from the Discipleship Journal Archives has proved effective: http://www.navpress.com/magazines/archives/article.aspx?id=1.58.17