Resource Spotlight:
When Disciples Defect May 2020 - Brad Himes
Discipleship is a key component to our faith journey, yet it doesn't always go as planned. We begin the relationship, nourished by prayer, time, and energy yet the relationship may still wither and wilt. Recently I was asked to write on this topic for The Lookout Magazine. As I reflected on my experiences, I realized there are many valuable lessons I learned through these difficult times of discipleship. And that is part of our journey... to learn from our experiences both good and bad in order to grow in our relationship with God and others.
To learn more you can read the article below, just click "Download File". Also, The Lookout magazine is offering a free download for the entire issue, click here to check it out!
When Disciples Defect May 2020 - Brad Himes
Discipleship is a key component to our faith journey, yet it doesn't always go as planned. We begin the relationship, nourished by prayer, time, and energy yet the relationship may still wither and wilt. Recently I was asked to write on this topic for The Lookout Magazine. As I reflected on my experiences, I realized there are many valuable lessons I learned through these difficult times of discipleship. And that is part of our journey... to learn from our experiences both good and bad in order to grow in our relationship with God and others.
To learn more you can read the article below, just click "Download File". Also, The Lookout magazine is offering a free download for the entire issue, click here to check it out!
| When Disciples Defect - Brad Himes |
Will Groups Change? April 2020 - Dave Mergens
The current pandemic has reshuffled the social deck and left an indelible mark on the landscape of group ministry. We have experienced the short-term scramble to overcome the realities of physical distancing, but where do we go from here? If you're like me, you're probably mulling over what this next season of ministry holds and how it will look different from the pre-COVID-19 one. Change is inevitable. Here are two ways to jump-start your thinking when it comes to planning for what's next.
Emphasize group ministry. Distance is possible, but not ideal. We now know that groups can function while being physically distant. God made us for relationships - with Him and others. The passion for seeing people grow better together is what drives us as leaders. But it is glaringly evident that meeting in person is honey for our soul. I believe that the door is open to underscore the necessity of being in a group, unlike any other time in recent history. People are now experiencing the longing to be physically present with other people. When this virus-driven separation ends, and it will, champion groups with a renewed vigor, knowing many more now see the value!
Stay on mission. Consider the Great Commission for a minute. When Jesus bestowed that responsibility on His followers, the edict transcended the strategy. Over the centuries, transportation and communication have radically changed. This change didn't detract from the mission; it enhanced it by allowing new ways to accomplish the task. Some strategies will need changed as a result of our current circumstances. Change them and start exploring new opportunities. We can still act on the same mission that remains unchanged. That is the vision our groups need to hear communicated. Cut ties where they need to, and don't let those losses distract you from what is essential.
One of my favorite quotes comes from the first Admiral of the United States Navy, John Paul Jones. He said that "those who will not risk cannot win." As leaders of groups during these uncertain times, every next step seems a bit risky because what comes next is unknown. With the finish line of faith embedded in your mind, keep moving forward. Risk can steal confidence in a forward direction, but don't let it. Be confident in God and the calling He has placed on you. Let the obedience of resolutely living that calling during these chaotic times be your win.
Pastor Dave Mergens
Alexandria Covenant Church, Alexandria, MN
Healthy Leadership January 2020 - Ashley West
As we approach The Groups Conference later this year, we asked Ashley West (former groups pastor at The Fields Church and conference team member) to share her insights on being a healthy leader. Ashley's leadership through the years has been a great role model to me (Brad Himes) as well as many others. Her article reminds us "that leaders must do the inner work of character building and knowing themselves if they want to lead in healthy, sustainable ways."
To learn more you can read the article below, just click "Download File". I'd encourage you to take a few minutes, reflect on her wisdom, and consider how it applies to your context.
As we approach The Groups Conference later this year, we asked Ashley West (former groups pastor at The Fields Church and conference team member) to share her insights on being a healthy leader. Ashley's leadership through the years has been a great role model to me (Brad Himes) as well as many others. Her article reminds us "that leaders must do the inner work of character building and knowing themselves if they want to lead in healthy, sustainable ways."
To learn more you can read the article below, just click "Download File". I'd encourage you to take a few minutes, reflect on her wisdom, and consider how it applies to your context.
| Healthy Leadership - Ashley West |
"Conferencing" with Your Team October 2019 - Jason Sniff
In general, conference travel has provided some key experiences over the years for our ministry team. As I reflect back on some of our experiences, “conferencing,” (the term I affectionately attach to traveling with my team) has been the antidote for spurring on new life in ministry. Here are three reasons why conferencing can be helpful for you and your ministry teams:
Conferencing provides team building opportunities. From the planning to the travel, conferencing provides a shared experience that is outside your functioning ministry norm. Even if all your plans fall through, or you get stuck in an airport for longer than expected, you’ve found yourself with a lasting memory that you and your team can look upon. More so, if you are traveling with a team, allowing other members to take the lead on various parts of your conference experience can provide an opportunity to see them in a new role. I highly encourage you and your team to have fun along the way. Eating at a local dive or niche restaurant, or exploring the surrounding area your conference is located are just two of many creative ways to create shared experience with your team.
Conferencing provides a different rhythm. Although it’s unspoken, it’s widely understood that you do not have to attend everything at a conference. However, depending upon your personality style you might feel the pressure to cram every keynote, workshop, roundtable and networking opportunity into your conferencing experience. But you don’t have too. Being “anti-social” and resting is a perfectly acceptable conferencing action. Strategically taking a walk in order to “clear your mind” is well within the bounds of conferencing. The point is to mix up your rhythms and to enjoy, dare I say, relax while conferencing.
Conferencing provides affirmation and acknowledgement of your ministry. As you intake everything a conference has to offer, there is a tendency for the knee jerk reaction. It’s the, “we’ve done everything wrong and this one new thing will solve all of our problems,” response that can be dangerous. If done well, conferencing allows you and your team to take a step back to first affirm the vision and methods that are working and aligned well within your ministry. Then, after affirming the ministry directions and work, spend time acknowledging new ideas or methods that may enhance your ministry. Properly couched, acknowledging new ideas or concepts have the freedom to stretch and challenge you and your team. Often a good application question to ask yourself is, “How can I/we apply that idea within our context?” Or “What implications would (insert said idea) have upon our current reality?”
Whether it’s a half day retreat experience or a full week conference across the country, I encourage you to strategically craft conferencing into your ministry rhythms. I think you will find conferencing might be what the doctor ordered. Of course, I also recommend attending The Groups Conference in October of 2020.
Strengthened Through Groups September 2019 - Danah Himes
As a minister to college students, deep and meaningful conversations are a regular part of my life. I work in an environment that is spiritually nurturing and fulfilling. When I get home I am content to shift into the roles of wife and mom and I tend to be satisfied by simply doing life together. Fortunately, our family rhythms include seasons of my husband and me being in a Small Group, together. Usually when we are approaching that time to start back up, being in a Group can feel like another “thing” to add to the weekly calendar, and, for me, an unnecessary thing. Until we get started.
It did not take long to realize that being in a Group, together, is good for our marriage. Every week we come together around a theme related to our faith or passage of scripture. We are asked questions, reflect and share our thoughts and experiences. We take time to consider how we need prayer, and we pray in group. We are given space to sit...with all distractions, to-do lists, and children aside. We listen to one another. We continue to get to know each other: how we think, how we process, how we feel, how we encourage and minister to others, how we need prayer.
Sometimes buried stuff comes to the surface in group…a source of tension, unrealized emotions, a marital struggle we haven’t acknowledged yet. But every week driving home from Life Group I feel closer to my husband. By having this weekly time to slow down, reflect, and engage in deep and meaningful conversations together, we allow space for the Spirit to help us see one another through His eyes. We are reminded of the real purpose of marriage and how blessed we are to have one another. Like Priscilla and Aquilla (Acts 18) we experience the joy of sharing life, marriage, and God’s kingdom purposes…together.
The Path to Maturity August 2019 - Brad Himes
Recently I had the opportunity to write for Christian Standard's The Lookout magazine. The topic was on spiritual maturity.
Spiritual maturity is a challenging topic, but one that all followers of Christ must earnestly pursue. It's important we reflect on our journey and take steps to grow in our faith. In addition to growing in our own faith we need to be involved in the lives of others as our faith is not meant to be lived out in solitude. Jesus calls all who follow him to be disciples who make disciples.
Groups are an excellent opportunity to invest in our own (and others) development of spiritual maturity. Much like many aspects of our faith, this is a lifelong journey so let's choose the path to maturity.
To learn more you can read the article below, just click "Download File". Also, The Lookout magazine is offering a free download for the entire issue, click here to check it out!
| The Path to Maturity - Brad Himes |
What's Really Happening in Your Groups? July 2019
How would you know if your group is healthy? Would you base it on attendance, commitment level, or study type? How about the involvement of group members engaging in group prayer or reaching others outside of the church?
Pastor Jason Sniff, Dr. Ryan Hartwig, and Dr. Courtney Davis have been collecting data from hundreds of groups over the past few years and have identified areas where we need to be on the lookout. A small snippet of their findings can be found here with more details coming soon.
We encourage you to spend some time reflecting on their findings and consider what is really happening in your group(s)
Refocus Your Group January 2019
It’s a New Year and new semester for groups. Whether you are leading a group that is just getting started, or your group has been together for a few semesters, now is a great time to refocus your group's commitment and expectations .
At the beginning of each series, we like to take a few minutes to review our schedule, introduce the study, and discuss some of the group ground rules. Reviewing the ground rules helps to (re)focus the group on topics that if not discussed, have the potential to damage the relationships within the group. Remember, the leader(s) sets the pace in the group and by reviewing these expectations, the group has a much greater opportunity to build trust and respect even when differences of opinions arise.
TIP: Provide a copy to each member in your group and when talking about the ground rules, be sure to approach it from a compassionate but serious perspective.
Click below to download our FREE “INTRO SHEET” template. Revise and edit it to fit your needs. It includes sections for your schedule, childcare instructions, ground rules, and more! NOTE: Click here to contact us if you need it in a different format other than Microsoft Word.
| Intro Sheet - The Groups Conference |
Christmas Witness December 2018 - Brad Himes
I was recently asked to write an article for Christian Standard’s: The Lookout magazine. The topic was on being a witness during the Christmas season.
As I reflected on the topic, I realized how it can be challenging at Christmas to focus on what matters most. The two topics that kept coming to mind were: avoiding distractions and living out our faith.
The Christmas season is strange when it comes to distractions. For example, the very person who we celebrate is pushed aside by our overwhelming desire to chase after activities, tasks, and general holiday busyness. On the other hand, it is easy for us to become so caught up with our distractions that we miss sharing with others WHY we celebrate at all. Our conversations stay on the surface level and we overlook (or sometimes ignore) opportunities to live out our faith.
You can read the article below, just click "Download File". Included in the article are tips on “how to tune out the noise” and to ”live out our faith”. Also, The Lookout magazine is offering a free download for the entire issue, click here to check it out!
| Christmas Witness - Brad Himes |
What Others Believe November 2018
Danah Himes, one of our past speakers here at The Groups Conference, was recently asked to write an article for Christian Standard's: The Lookout magazine. Issue 12 in 2018 focuses on the theme of how the church grows through a variety of avenues as well as the importance of understanding what others believe.
Danah wrote her article titled "What Others Believe: The Non-Religious". In her article, she not only digs into current statistics from Barna and Pew; but also, she provides practical insight on how we can engage with others who may have no faith or religion. Our response to people who believe differently than us should not be one of division, but one of understanding, communication, and seeking common ground. As we reflect on these statistics, I encourage the church to remember that we are called to be ambassadors for Christ... let's be sure to live out our true identity.
"We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God." 2 Corinthians 5:20
You can read Danah's article below, just click "Download File". Included in the article are additional resources for further study on the topic. Also, The Lookout magazine is offering a free download for the entire issue, click here to check it out!
| What Others Believe - Danah Himes |
Discovery Bible Study October 2018 - Brad Himes
In the fall of 2018, I was invited to attend a Discovery Bible Study training led by Jim and Vicki Egli. The core of this method is to help create an environment of prayer, accountability, and obedience to God's word. The Egli's shared the challenge that many of us face when we reflect on our lives compared to Christ's instructions in:
"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." Matthew 28:19-20
In The Great Commission, Christ specifically tells us to "teach them to obey" His commands, but often times we focus merely on teaching the commands and miss the importance of obedience. After using this method over the past year, I have found it to be very helpful to grow and stretch me in new ways. As Jim stated in one of his articles:
TOO often we learn but do nothing, deceiving ourselves into thinking we are growing spiritually (James 1:22). But we aren’t growing, we are just getting spiritually fat!
For more information on this method or to connect with Jim & Vicki, click here.
