Leadership Supplements

Say No to Icebreakers, by Karen Wilk

Consider switching your focus from breaking ice to making community.

I have an aversion to the term icebreaker. It sounds so negative. And truth be told, that's often our experience with icebreakers-the exercises can feel awkward or forced. So why not call them community makers and encourage people to build community rather than break... read more

A Balanced Small-Group Strategy, by Steve Gladen

How small groups can apply the five purposes of the church.

At Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California, small groups do five things that intentionally relate to each of the five purposes of the church: worship, fellowship, discipleship, ministry, and missions. We believe it is critical to balance the five purposes within every small group... read more

Benchmarks: Growth in Small Groups, by Dan Lentz

Check out these statistics to get your finger on the pulse of small-groups ministry.

Definition: Benchmarking is a tool used to measure or compare your work or progress with others who are doing the same thing. Benchmarking is a powerful tool because it overcomes "paradigm blindness"-the mode of thinking that says... read more