November 6, 2009

Filling Rows or Forming Circles?

From Bill Donahue

I have been thinking a lot about Andy Stanley’s comments at the Group Life Conference 2009 and the implications for church ministry. If it is true that more learning, growth, care and ministry takes through transformational group-like circles, why do churches spend an inordinate amount of time, staffing and money on filling rows? Here are some possible reasons for expending so much energy on building a “row”-ing team, and I would be interested in your feedback.  Read more...

October 22, 2009

Butterflies

From Greg Bowman

  Speaking in front of a large audience. Taking your driver’s test. Interviewing for a job. Traveling internationally for the first time. Waiting for your first date to arrive. Proposing to your future spouse. The night before prom. The night before your daughter's prom.

There are events in our lives that inevitably cause butterflies. You know what I mean. Read more...

July 30, 2009

Real Transformation for Real People

From Greg Bowman

When Mindy Caliguire first suggested him as a speaker, my immediate response was, “Who is David Johnson?” Seriously. I had never heard of him. 

Part of that is my fault for not walking in some circles I should have been. But another reason I have not heard of him is that unlike many churches of their size, Church of the Open Door has not screamed from the pinnacle of their steeple their strategies, successes, or their story.  Read more...

July 23, 2009

Unanswered Questions

From Greg Bowman

  Wow! We were blown away with your responses yesterday on our conference call with CCN. We were planning on 80 registrants – we had over 600! Originally intended to be a preview of the content of Mindy Caliguire's talk at the fall event, the conference call turned into a discussion on spiritual formation. Read more...

July 16, 2009

Leadership’s Challenges

From Greg Bowman

 Jim Clemmer, a management guru, sums up a challenge most leaders face. “In the midst of tumultuous change, many … are confusing ‘busywork’ activity with results. Missing what's really important to long-term growth and development, they allow themselves to be tyrannized by short-term urgencies.”

Can you relate? It’s a new way of phrasing an old challenge that’s always going to be with us.

For your small group ministry, this challenge presents itself in a few key areas. Read more...