Our Last Blog Update

Greetings small group leaders,

It is not possible to overstate how important your role is to Springbrook for accomplishing our vision to Reach & Build Passionate Followers of Jesus Christ. In fact, I would go as far to say that it can't be accomplished without you!

Small groups are our front line pastoral care. Small groups are where our vision and mission come together. Small groups are where relationships are forged and grow, and where disciple really happens. Thank you so much for your faithfulness and leadership, and willingness to open your home!

This blog has been a resource and the landing page for our small group leaders after they have completed their meeting reports for 8 years. The intent was communication, training and keeping our small group leaders up-to-date.  I have never received feedback, and it takes time to keep it relevant. Maintenance has been an issue for me as my responsibilities and our church culture havechanged over the years, and so now the time has come to make a needed change.

Rather than maintaining this blog, I will be focusing my time an attention on our Springbrook Church app.  If you have not yet downloaded our app, you will need to do that immediately!  Download the app, setup your account, familiarize yourself with the menus, and begin to share it with your group!

The landing page after you complete your meeting reports will soon take you to our main webpage, and I will be interacting with you from our app moving forward. Click the Small Group / Leader Resources page in the app to find this content and more moving forward. If you haven any small group questions, or questions about our app, please contact me as soon as possible!

Follow this link for more information about our Springbrook Church app, or select the app for your platform below.  Thank you for all you do, and count on my continued prayers for you and your small group!

On the journey together,

Pastor Rich

Now Live It Out!

I don't know about you, but I thoroughly enjoyed our Life on Mission study this fall!  Many of you have just finished as well or are coming up to the end, and I wanted to share two thoughts with you.

I know this was a great study and that the lessons, if applied, will be life transforming. Please look for practical steps to put what was learned into practice in your life, and encourage your group to do the same. If everyone will look for just one person to come alongside to build a relationship for spiritual conversations, can you image the impact? Let make that our prayer!

I also wanted to remind you that any conversations you have regarding next steps or a next study need to be discussed with your coach or myself before you make any decisions with your group. I found a list of 30 million Bible studies on Google, and you need to pick 1 for your group.  Accurately access where you and your group are spiritually, and then prayerfully and in conversation with your coach, select one that will purposefully move your group toward our picture of a disciple!

Our winter small group trimester open enrollment will formally kick-off on January 15th, with group ready to start their study after the 22nd. Enjoy Thanksgiving and Christmas, let's be in prayer together as we come to the close of 2016 and prepare for 2017.  Thank you for your leadership and investment in your small group.

Blessings,

Pastor Rich

New Fall Series: Life On Mission!

     Most of us who know and follow Jesus want to tell others about him, to share our faith. We want to live life on mission, obeying the final command Jesus gave us: “Go into all the world and make disciples.”

     But when it comes to actually engaging in evangelism, we hesitate. We get intimidated, uncertain, or even confused. Sharing our faith should be natural and easy – but it isn’t always. Until now!

     Life on Mission offers clear Bible teaching designed to empower you to share your faith with people right in your own neighborhood. With topics like how to connect with those that have questions, how serving others can open their hearts to the gospel, and how paying attention to your own spiritual growth can strengthen your witness, this study will thoroughly equip you to live on mission!

     This new series will kick off September 25th, and I can wait to see what God is going to do in and through us together!  Check out the series introduction video below, and if you have any questions, please talk with your coach or give me a call. Praying for you and your group!

Pastor Rich

The Basics of Leading a Small Group

     When it comes to being a small-group host or leader, it's easy to feel overwhelmed—with leading meetings, handling difficult group members, and apprenticing new leaders, among other things.
     That's why every small group at Springbrook has a small group coach! Someone that can be praying for your group, and can be a resource to help you navigate various obstacles you might face.
     All of our of our small group hosts and leaders are encouraged to attend our monthly Springbrook church-wide leadership gathering, where they will receive coaching, encouragement and training. We believe no leader at Springbrook should have to lead alone!
    Every small group host and leader at Springbrook also has access to our Smallgroup.com subscription, which provides high-quality, relevant, and multi-model resources that will make your small-group experience much more effective.
     Once such resources is their Welcome to Leading 101 resource, where you will find numerous practical articles on small groups that will serve as a base for leading well. If you are an existing Springbrook small group host or leader, and interested in downloading the valuable resource, click this link.  I hope you enjoy this resource, and thank you for your faithfulness in building in building up our local Body of Christ!

On the journey together,

Pastor Rich

Are You Making Wise Investments?

Blank stares greeted Lindsey’s prayer request. She had just shared with her small group how thrilled she was about the women she was discipling. “Each of them is now memorizing scripture and its changing their lives,” she said. The women gazed at her with a deer-in-the-headlights look and returned to their conversation about their children, marriages, and the latest church event.

It’s not that these friends didn’t care. They just didn’t share Lindsey’s vision. Sure, they were growing, they were godly, and they were serving but they weren’t investing in discipling others. Investing in people marks an alongsider leader... read more

Our small group and ministry team leaders are the backbone of our disciple-making ministry at Springbrook, and each of you is a gift, and I am so grateful to serve alongside you.   Our next leadership gathering is coming up on April 3rd; click here to register now!  We will be celebrating some exciting milestones, and continue our leadership development and alongsider journey. Look forward to being with you!

Pastor Rich

Soul Detox Series - Starting September 20th!

     On Sunday, September 20th, Springbrook is celebrating 18 years with our annual family picnic, baptism service and introducing our new Soul Detox series! That following week, all of our small groups should be meeting to 1) introduce new people, review the series schedule and review materials. The week of the 21st is an introduction week.

     On Sunday, September 27th, Pastor Dan will begin teaching through the series, with each group kicking off with week 1 of the study. This series will last 5 weeks, and then conclude with a celebration service. That following week, I would encourage you to meet with your group for a potluck and discussion about next steps.

     You can click this link to download a calendar handout and share with you group. If you have any questions, please contact your coach as quickly as possible, or feel free to drop me a note as well.

     Also, please update your group information immediately. People are already starting to look at our groups, and we have a lot of bad information out there.

     Thank you so much for opening your home and welcoming the Spirit of God there!  I'm praying for you and your group, and look forward to hearing about how God is at work!

Pastor Rich
   

Small Groups Are Not Social Clubs

I was recently talking to one of our new small group leaders about some of his interests, and the topic of basketball came up. I was really looking for an opportunity to talk with him about our small group values, and ended up connecting the five basketball team positions with our five small groups values; Wow, God blow open a door for an outstanding conversation! Which position is more important, I asked. He said, they are all important. I said, exactly!

Utilizing the Great Commandments and the Great Commission given to us by Jesus in Matthew chapters 22 and 28, we have five (5) values that lay the foundation for our small groups. Which value is most important? All the values are important! I hope you know them, but they are Worship, Ministry, Evangelism, Fellowship and Discipleship. If you are leading a small group at Springbrook, you not only need to know these five values, you and your small group should be working to live them out!

Small groups best provide the optimal environment for the life-change Jesus intends for every believer, and it is is our desire to see everyone at Springbrook connected to a small group and growing toward Christ-likeness! I pray that each of you, as small group hosts and leaders, share that desire!

There are different kinds of groups, but at the core of our values, there some essential ingredients of life-change that we should expect to see in every group. In fact, small group expert Mark Howell wrote a great post on this very issue. Please take a moment to reflect on our five values and then be sure to check out Mark's link on essentials of life-change. Be sure to jot down a few notes, and then talk about them with your coach during your next meeting!

As always, count on my continued prayers for you and your group, and feel free to post any comments, questions or ideas here!

On the journey together,
Pastor Rich

2015, Really?

     Wow, I can't believe how fast this God series has flow by!  It has been such an encouragement to my faith as we study the various attributes of God, and such a blessing to connect with new families in our group.  I can't wait to see what God will do, and am praying we can multiply new groups and get others connected this winter!

     As the holidays and 2015 bear down on us, and our fall trimester moves to a close, I wanted to share a few thoughts with you as we head into our winter trimester that will begin on February 8th.

1. Even if you are not meeting, or if you are not meeting over break, and you want to avoid those pesky emails, click "Did Not Meet" and change your next meeting date.
2. Begin talking with your group now about your plans over Thanksgiving and Christmas, and what's next for your group. Our small group open enrollment for the winter Trimester will start on Sunday, January 25th. Be prepared for new people in your group!
3. *Update: If your group is getting full, please talk with your coach or Pastor Rich today about an apprentice and who the best person in your group would be to host their own group. The next New Host Training class will be Tuesday or Thursday, January 13th or 15th.
4. *Update: Our next coach / small group leaders gathering will be held after church in the gym from 12:30 to 2:30 early February. I'll let you know when we have a date.

     And now, "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope." (Romans 15:13)  Be blessed, and count on my continued prayers for you and your group!

Pastor Rich

Prayer

     One of the cool things about small groups is that everyone of them is unique! I've been working with small groups for many years, and I have never seen any two groups that are the same.
    A major difference you'll find between groups is how they pray together; they are all different. In some groups, everyone prays, or maybe just the leader prays, or there might be "popcorn" prayer.
     One of my favorite methods is to have everyone pray, going around the circle. If you are comfortable praying out loud, do it, otherwise pray silently and say amen out loud so the person next to you knows it's their turn. This overcomes the praying out loud barrier, but stimulates a prayer connection with our heavenly Father for each person in the group.
     One of our groups (thanks for the pic Jerry!) puts out a prayer journal, and everyone takes turns writing in it. This is a great way to keep up with prayer requests and track answers to prayer!
     There is no right a wrong way, but prayer is an important discipline. Take a moment to share some ideas that have worked for you.
     I trust you are having a great study time together this fall. Please contact your coach if you have any questions, and count on my prayers for you and your small group!

Pastor Rich

Thank You!

     Just a quick note to thank you for allowing God to work in and through you and your small group.
     I personally know that there are so many things that compete for your time and that it is sometimes difficult to find balance with personal time, family, work and ministry.
     But I want you to know that your role as a small group leader/host is having an eternal impact!
     Be encouraged, stand firm, and count on my prayers for you and your small group!

     "For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."
~ 2 Corinthians 4:17-18

"God: As He Longs For You To See Him" Calendar

Below is the suggested Calendar for our Springbrook small group/sermon alignment series. If you have any questions, please contact your coach as quickly as possible!

Session/Date    Topic                Summary

1 – S 14th        Introduction       Lesson optional for your group
2 – S 21st        20/20 Vision      Sermon 1, vision casting Sunday,
                                                                     lesson recommend but optional
3 – S 28th       Goodness           Sermon 2, first attribute, your group could start here
4 – O 5th         Sovereignty        Sermon 3, second attribute,
                                                                      your group should be in full swing
5 – O 12th       Holiness             Sermon 4
6 – O 19th       Wisdom             Sermon 5
7 – O 26th       Justice               Sermon 6
8 – N 2nd        Love                   Sermon 7
9 – N 9th         Faithfulness       Sermon 8
10 – N 16th     Remembering    Lesson optional, or potluck

Important... Update

Just a reminder: please update your small group information ASAP!

You can click the 'update our group information link' from within your weekly email, or enter your password and select your group from the Small Group page at springbook.org,  Keeping your group information up to date with improve the integrity of your group, and help new families at Springbrook make decisions about how to best get connected to a small group!

If you have any questions, please contact your coach, or drop me a note.

I hope you are having a great summer so far, and watch for more information about our small group host/leader barbecue at the end of July!

On the journey together,
Pastor Rich

What Kind of Leader Are You?

Robert Coleman says in his book, The Master Plan of Evangelism, "One must decide where he wants his ministry to count - in the momentary applause of popular recognition or the reproduction of his life in a few chosen men who will carry on his work after he is gone." He goes on to say, "His concern, speaking of Jesus, was not with programs to reach the multitudes, but with men whom the multitudes would follow."

If we are going to have an eternal impact, we have have to move ourselves out of the light, and point others to Christ and obedience to God's word. Relating this principle to a small group leader, I would like to suggest 8 qualities of an effective leader identified in Steve Sonderman's Men With No Regrets Leader Training Manual:

An effective leader:

1. Has a strong private life
2. Has character that reflects Christ
3. Is committed to facilitate the group, not "teach"
4. Understands how spiritual formation happens in an individual
5. Is committed to building and multiplying disciples
6. Has a spirit of a servant leader
7. Knows his/her strengths and weaknesses
8. Understand the power of a focused life

Take a moment to pick one of these 8 qualities, pick up the phone, and contact your coach to let them know which one you would like to discuss. Be transformed by the renewing of your mind today!

I absolutely love working with ministry leaders and can not think of anything I would rather do with my life - it is a privilege to serve with you!

The Three Pleases

     Our winter 2014 small group trimester open enrollment starts this weekend and will run through February 9th.  PLEASE make sure your group information is accurate and up-to-date.
     As of this post, there are 10 families currently trying to find a small group, and there will be another 20 that I am expecting to sign-up over the next few weeks. PLEASE pray with me, that we can get these new families connected to our Springbrook family small group network.
     If you group is fuller and you are feeling the pressure to welcome new people, PLEASE lean diligently into this as an opportunity to for God to do something great in and through you. You can step out and let someone take over your group or someone else can step out to host their own group.
     Thank you for leadership, and your willingness to allow God to work in and through you as He leads us together in this mission to reach and build lasting relationship is Christ Jesus! Be sure to talk with your coach or me if you have any questions, and count on our continued prayers for you and your group
Pastor Rich

Are You Pregnant?

It's time to birth a group!

Let's give birth to some new small groups!

Seriously. I want to invite all of our small group hosts/leaders to begin praying now about 1) stepping out of their existing group to start a new group, or 2) sending someone from their group to start a new group, within the next 9 months.

You can start a new group like the one you are currently in, or try something completely different. The possibilities are endless!

Small group strategy expert Mark Howell wrote a great article on five myths that keep churches from starting new groups. I've heard all five of these at one point or another at Springbrook, so I want to invite you to take a few minutes to read the article and share your thoughts. http://tinyurl.com/n75nz2m

Talk with your coach, invite them to be praying with you, and let's seek God and step out in faith together!

UPDATE:
                  We just finished our January new host class.
                  We'll schedule the next class when someone signs up!
                   Click here: http://tinyurl.com/newldr0114

Leader's Gathering

     It was so exciting to have almost all of our small group coaches and leaders together at one time to worship, dream and vision cast, and strengthen our leadership team. Thank you to all of you who made our time together so rich and rewarding - we are better together!

     Our vision is to start healthy reproducing small groups that connect others at Springbrook into Biblical community that transforms lives, and I can't wait to see what God wants to do as we head into next year. Thank you for allowing God to work and through you and your group to accomplish His plans in our church and community. Count on my continued prayers for your group and for your relationship with your coach.

Pastor Rich

Small Group Gathering

Small Group Coach/Leader Gathering
Sunday, October 27th
12:30pm - 3:00pm
Lunch & Childcare Provided                                                 REGISTER NOW

Small groups are the backbone for identifying, investing in and training up leaders, and for connecting our Springbrook family together in genuine Biblical community.  During our time together on the 27th, we will discuss small group health, vision cast for next year, and solidify our small group coach/leader roles. This gathering is strategically important, and participation is a requirement for leading a small group in 2014.  If you are unable to attend, please have your apprentice leader attend in your place.

If you have not yet registered, please confirm your attendance TODAY by clicking the registration link below.  If you have any questions, please contact your coach or drop me a note.  I am really looking forward to our time together - thank you for allowing God to work through you and through us together!

Pastor Rich

REGISTER NOW

Summer Small Group Leader BBQ!

Greetings small group hosts and leaders!

Mark your calendars now for our annual backyard BBQ, Saturday June 22nd, from noon 'till the last person leaves!  We will be meeting again at master chef Doug Scott's house. We'll provide the meat, you just bring your favorite beverage and a side-dish to share.

To register now, click this link: http://tinyurl.com/sqbbq13

Leaders Gathering

If you have not yet signed up for our leaders gathering Sunday, April 28th, please do that now! Simply click this Register Now link, and sign-up today!  We will be meeting from 12:30 to 2:30 after the service to celebrate and discuss as a group the important topic of assimilation and spiritual growth. Lunch and childcare are provided, so Register Now!

SmallGroups.com

      Greetings small group leaders!  As the primary leader for you small group, I want to make sure we are equipping and resourcing you for all God wants to accomplish in you and in your small group!

     I have recently purchased a subscription on your behalf for SmallGroups.com, one of the best small group leadership websites I have found over the last 10 years.  You should have recently received an email invitation from me from SmallGroups.com inviting you to sign-up for your membership.

     I wanted to make sure you knew your membership had been purchased, and invite you to sign-up today so that you can begin to explore and take advantage of all the resources available to you through that site. If you find something interesting, take a moment to share it with the rest of our leaders by posting to replying to this, or any weekly post.

     You will be brought to this site after you complete your meeting reports, or you can visit anytime by bookmarking this blog or visiting www.j.mp/sbsg.

     Count on my prayers for you and your small group, and please let your coach or me know if you have any questions, comments or concerns. Thank you for allowing God to work in and through you at Springbrook!

Pastor Rich