The Summit: A Covergence of Small Group Experts
Wanna grow in your leadership? Love to pick the mind of other Small Group Leaders? Looking for a conference but don’t have the money in your budget to attend? Don’t worry…I want to encourage all of our Small Group Leaders to SAVE the DATE for Thursday, February 18th at 8:30 (PST) for a FREE and exciting on-line opportunity designed just for Small Group Pastors and Leaders. Here are the details of this upcoming on-line Summit:
On February 18th, 2010, from 8:30 PST you can join these individuals for a 90 minute free on-line forum. Lyman Coleman, the man who many consider the father of small groups as we know them will be on the team. Carl George, the author of two books that changed the way we think about church, The Coming Church Revolution and Prepare Your Church for the Future, will be on the panel. Steve Gladen, small groups pastor at one of the most prominent churches in the world today, Saddleback Church will be voicing his thoughts. Bill Donahue, small groups guy at Willow Creek Community Church, author of Leading Life-Changing Small Groups and one of the most prominent voices in the small group space today will join us. Bill Search, small groups guru at Southeast Christian Church, Louisville, Kentucky and author of Simple Small Groups will take a seat with these, his peers in ministry. Randall Neighbour, one of the leading spokespersons for the cell church movement and author of The Naked Truth About Small Groups will share his ideas and opinions. Greg Bowman, co-author of Coaching Life-Changing Small Group Leaders will give his important input. Reid Smith, Community Life Pastor for Christ Fellowship, Palm Beach, Florida and founder of 2orMore, a small group leadership training & resource ministry will bring the newest and most creative ideologies of small group ministry to the plate. And Eddie Mosley, Executive Director of GroupLife at LifePoint Church, Smyrna, Tennesee, and one of the best thinkers and consultants in the small group space will join Rick Howerton author of Destination Community: Small Group Ministry Manual and National Director of Events and Training for Serendipity by LifeWay for this on-line experience. You will be able to interact with other church leaders as the event is taking place as well as presenting questions to the panel for consideration.
Come join three generations of small group minds for an unprecedented experience.
To find out more and to register just click on http://www.lifeway.com/sgsummit
If you know of any other conferences or events that you would like to recommend, please feel free to leave a link and some info.
Super Bowl Party
Be a part of the BIGGEST SUPER BOWL PARTY IN VEGAS! The 44th annual Super Bowl will be played this year at Dolphin Stadium on Sunday, February 7, 2010 and Central Couples wants you to be a part of hosting the Biggest Super Bowl Party in the Vegas Valley. Here is the game plan:
- Host a Super Bowl Party either in the home where your group meets every week or choose another location of your choice
- Invite your 1Life to join you and your Small Group for the party
- Invite other potential new Small Group members
- Party with another Central Small Group in your area. (If you do not know of one in your area, give me a call and I can get you connected.)
- Wear your favorite team colors (even if they are not playing in the Super Bowl)
- Take a group picture, send it to tracey.smith@centralchristian.com and post it on Facebook
- Don’t forget to send out your evites, plan your menu, and HAVE FUN!!!!
New Year Brings New Opportunities
I would like to take this opportunity to wish you, your family, and your Small Group a Happy New Year! What an Amazing year we had at Central as we watched God do what only God can do! Last year, we were able to see over 5,000 people give their lives to Christ, many of those were baptized, and many more were able to take their next step on their spiritual journey by joining a Small Group. In 2009, we were able to launch over 73 new Couples Small Groups. Thank you for your leadership and your commitment to the vision and mission God has given us for the Vegas Valley and beyond.
As we look at 2010, we are expecting God to amaze us even more. Here are a couple of things that are happening as we continue to “connect the unconnected.”
- First Step If you or someone in your Small Group has not completed First Step, I would like to invite you to join us as we kick-off this year’s First Step on Wednesday, January 13 at 6:30 pm. If you need more information about times and locations, please go to www.centralchristian.com
- Couples Mini-Connection Event The New Year brings a great opportunity to add new couples to your Small Group. If you would like to add more couples to your group, please email or call me. I will need to know how many couples you would like to add to your group, what time and where your group meets, the median age of your group, and does your group allow children. Please let me know if you would like to be involved.
- New Leader Orientation If you are currently leading a Small Group but have never attended New Leader Orientation, please make sure you send me an email or give me a call and we can sit down for a cup of coffee and discuss your next steps.
Also, here are some other exciting things that will be coming soon to Central Couples Ministry:
- Release of Central’s latest Small Group Study: Fully Devoted
- Coffee Break Coming Sunday, January 31 at 9:00 am and The Huddle for Small Group Leaders coming soon
- The Big 6 On-Campus Couples Group coming in March
Thanks again for your leadership and your investment in the lives of those in the Vegas Valley! If you need anything, please do not hesitate to let me know! Have a wonderful week! Doing the journey together!
Countdown to Neon Faith
Neon Faith is our new church-wide series complete with a devotional and Small Group study. It’s all about discovering the power of God moving in your daily life, and renewing your passion for Him. It is about shining God’s light brightly in a hurting world. Experience the adventure God has for you today through faith’s transforming power. The adventure begins Sunday, October 18 at 5:00 pm with a LAUNCH PARTY for all of our Small Group leaders and Host. The actual Kick-Off Weekend will be the weekend of October 23 and 24th. Be sure to buy the Neon Faith kit that includes the daily devotional, a DVD of the weekly Small Group teachings, and an awesome t-shirt!Looking for Something FUN to Do With Your Small Group?
GO TO TAPING OF….Let’s Make a Deal 
DATE: October 3rd or 4th
TIME: (9:00 am-12:30 pm) or (11:30 am-6:30 pm)
LOCATION: Tropicana Hotel & Casino
DETAILS: 18+
Let’s Make a Deal is an iconic game show where audience members dress in outlandish costumes to win cash and prizes by making deals with host Wayne Brady. The contestants are selected from the studio audience for a chance to win (and be on national television)! You’ll have to be savvy, as the prizes are always disguised and you can never be sure whether you’re looking at an empty box or a container for a gold necklace, or which of three envelopes might contain $1,000. The decision-making is exciting and suspenseful and the audience is part of the fun. Each contestant has a 1 in 18 chance of getting chosen to play – those are some of the best odds in town.
Important information, Please read!
The doors will open at 8:00AM and close at 9:00AM *No one will be allowed in the theater after the doors have closed.
DUE TO THE CONTESTANT PROCESS, YOU WILL BE AT THIS TAPING FOR APPROXIMATELY 4-5 HOURS. On arrival you will receive a name tag and paperwork to fill out. Prior to entering the studio, there may be brief interview by the production staff with you and that’s how the contestants are selected. You must be present at the studio for the entire processing. We suggest that all members of your party arrive earlier than the listed processing times. Contestants will be selected from the audience throughout the show so be ready to Make A Deal with Wayne at any time!
Dress Code: We encourage all contestants to dress up in costume!! The more original and homemade the costume the more you’ll catch Wayne’s attention!
If you chose not to dress up in costume we ask you to dress in nice, casual attire as you will be on camera.
If you would like to go as a Group of 10 or more, please call 1.818.295.2700 and speak to Howard ASAP! If you attend the taping, please take pictures of your Small Group dressed up in their costumes and send me a copy. I would love to post them on our Small Group website! You guys ROCK!!!!
Small Group Connection Event
Heads up open and new group leaders!
If you are a current Small Group Leader and searching for new members to join your Group, please make sure you have someone present at the Connection Event and that your Small Group is listed at www.centralsmallgroups.com.
If you have any questions about how to list your group, click here for more information or call Marvin at (702) 735-4004.
Remember, God doesn’t want us to “do life” alone – it’s so much better together! In Small Group, we go through the ups and downs of life with others. Together, we learn to live as a Christ-follower with people on the same journey. Small Groups are all about doing life together, meeting new people, having fun, and growing in your faith. Check it out!
Doing the journey together!
Tell Your Story…
 Here at Central, we define a Small Group as…a group of people (2-20) who gather on a regular basis in homes, at a church campus, a coffee shop, park or online for the purpose of growing in relationship with God and each other. Small Groups are all about doing life together, meeting new people, having fun, serving together and growing in your faith.Many of you have been part of a Central Small Group for years and others maybe just for a few months, but no matter how long you have been involved in your Small Group, we know that many of you have some amazing stories of how God has used YOUR SMALL GROUP in your personal life! WE WANT TO HEAR YOUR STORY! Take just a few moments and write down how God has used your Small Group to make a big difference in your life! Once you have it written, please email it to tracey.smith@centralchristian.com |
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| Not part of a Small Group? Thinking of trying out a Small Group? To get connected into a Small Group, or to learn more about Small Groups, visit centralsmallgroups.com. If you have any other questions, call 702-735-4004 to talk with a Small Groups Coordinator. | |
Summer…Summer…Summertime!
Summer… Summer… Summertime! Time to sit back, relax, and unwind! I still love summer because it allows us to break from the norm with the kids out of School and everyone at least thinking about some way to take a break. This same kind of mentality effects most of our summer weekly routines including Small Group. Our routines become hectic with vacation, the kids at home, camps, activities, or whatever comes your way. Here are some ideas what you and your Small Group can do this summer:
- Have a Bar B Q with your Small Group or another Small Group in your area
- Invite another Small Group in your area to join you for a one night study
- Do a service project together in the community or in your church
- Plan a Day Trip together, a hike, a ballgame, or host a block party together
- Rotate houses and have group with whoever shows up
- Have a Game Night or a Pool Party
If you have some ideas that have worked for your Small Group or you would like to share your story, please join the discussion and maybe even post some of your pictures at www.centralsmallgroups.com.
Make sure you stay connected this summer and take advantage of having some extra time to do life together!
Have fun!
Tips for Leading Small Group Discussions
Tips for Leading Small Group Discussions
It is Sunday night and our Small Group has just completed the DVD section in this week’s study. Now it is time to open our workbooks and have time for DISCUSSION. But instead of healthy stimulating discussion, there is silence for what seems like an eternity! So how does a Small Group Leader facilitate thought provoking discussions instead of having the dreaded time of silence?
Here are a few tips to help as you navigate your way through discussion time.
• Know Your Material
If you are leading a group discussion, it is important to make sure you’re prepared before the discussion begins. Make a list of potential questions that may come up from the material, be prepared to share from your own experiences, and do extra research to help anticipate more in-depth questions.
• Ask Great Questions
The best questions to ask are those that are open-ended. Closed ended questions are generally not helpful in group discussions. The reason why open-ended questions are more effective is because they do not require a specific answer. Because they don’t require a specific answer, they will not place any limits on the discussion.
• Listen Attentively
First, there is nothing wrong with being quiet. At the same time, you don’t want to be too quiet. However, speaking too much is not recommended. Listen attentively before you speak and it is okay to allow other members to answer or respond.
• Redirect the Discussion
Dominant members are usually a part of Small Groups and they will be outspoken. They will be quick to let the other members know what they think. The quiet members are just the opposite. They will think and form ideas within their minds, and will not be quick to voice those thoughts to the group because they may be shy. As the leader, your goal is to help quiet members present their thoughts to the rest of the group. There are a number of things you can do to include quiet members into the discussion. You can present a question to the group and ask each member to answer it out loud, or you can ask all the member of the group to give their responses to a particular topic or idea.
• Affirm Members
If you don’t show the members that you appreciate the contributions they are making to the discussion, that will make them feel like they are not a valuable part of the group, and this could cause problems. Affirm members by saying, “That is a wonderful idea” or “your viewpoint is always so helpful to the conversation.”
• Use the Acceptance Rule
No matter what is said…Be careful not to judge someone based on their opinions or their personal beliefs. Remember, the real teacher is the Holy Spirit and people are at different places on the spiritual journey. The acceptance rule is “I will accept anyone wherever they are on their spiritual journey.” It would be a great idea to ask your members to commit to the Acceptance Rule before the discussion begins.
What ways have you used to help facilitate discussion in your Small Group?
CityCenter Job Fair at Central Christian
Central Christian Church Henderson Campus
1001 New Beginnings Drive
Henderson, NV 89011
We all know that we’re living in tough times. With the unemployment rate in Nevada now at over 11 percent, there are many in the Central Family and possibly in your Small Group who is looking for employment. In an effort to help serve the needs of those, we are partnering with City Center by hosting a Job Fair at the Henderson campus on Saturday, July 11. If you or someone in your Small Group are interested in more details, please contact Central’s Care Office at 702-735-4004.
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