Peppermint-Filled Pinatas: An Interview with Eric Michael Bryant
One of the great things about Social Networking and Blogging is being able to connect with so many cool friends around the world doing ministry. One of my new friends is Eric Michael Bryant. Eric oversees the leadership team at Mosaic in Los Angeles, a church known for its diversity and creativity. Eric is also the author of Peppermint-Filled Piñatas and one of the coauthors of The Uprising Experience, based on Erwin McManus’s book Uprising: A Revolution of the Soul. I had an opportunity to read his latest book entitled Peppermint-Filled Piñatas. I highly recommend this book for you personally and also for a Small Group Study. I asked Eric if he would do a brief Q/A with us and he was gracious enough to accept. Here’s what he had to say:
TRACEY: For those who may not be familiar with your story, please tell us a little bit about yourself.
Eric: After growing up in Texas, I moved to Seattle to help plant a church where I stayed for 4 years. My wife Debbie and I then moved to Los Angeles where we have been at Mosaic for the past 10 years. As a bald white guy in a world of color, I have been discovering God’s love for all people – even those with whom I differ, disagree, or dislike. Debbie and I live in the middle of L.A. County with our two kids, Caleb and Trevi.
TRACEY: When did you decide to write Peppermint-Filled Piñatas and why?
ERIC: So many people were asking us about how we became such a diverse community at Mosaic, that I began writing this book as a response. As I began writing the book, I realized we are diverse in so many other ways beyond just ethnicity. We connect with people who are diverse socioeconomically, or in their understanding of God, or in their view of sexuality, and so on. In the end, the book became my attempt to help people who follow Jesus learn how to love, serve, and even reach those who are too often rejected or overlooked by the church.
TRACEY: How can people use this book as a Small Group Study?
ERIC: Churches who have used the books in their small groups have said they have been able to have really lively discussion which has led to very practical ways to engage our quickly-changing pluralistic and globalizing world. The small groups read through a chapter each week and use the small group questions at the end of the book to facilitate their discussion.
TRACEY: Any plans for another book in the future?
ERIC: I am always writing something at least for those wanting to discuss innovation and outreach at www.ericbryant.org! After completing my dissertation, I hope to have more books to offer people. Thanks for asking!
Thanks to Eric for taking the time to answer a few questions and giving us a little insight on Peppermint-Filled Piñatas. If you would like more information about his book, www.ericbryant.org
Leadership Gathering: “Techno Small Groups”
Come join in the Small Group Leadership Gathering as we discuss the different opportunities with Technology and Small Groups. All Small Group Leaders are encouraged to come and interact with other leaders from all over the Vegas Valley. If you have someone in your Small Group who takes care of all of your communication, please bring them with you! Don’t miss out! We have provided two different times to make it convenient for you to attend. Saturday at 4:30 p.m. and Sunday at 10:20 a.m. in room #227 at the Henderson Campus. Pizza and Pop on Saturday evening and Fruit and Breakfast Casserole on Sunday! Childcare provided. After you attend, please come back and let us know your thoughts! See you there!A GIFT BEFORE CHRISTMAS: FIREPROOF YOUR MARRIAGE STUDY
“Inside burning buildings, Captain Caleb Holt lives by the firefighter’s adage: Never leave your partner.
Yet at home, in the cooling embers of his marriage, he lives by his own rules.
Growing up, his wife Catherine always dreamed of marrying a loving, brave firefighter . . . just like her father. Now, after seven years of marriage, she wonders when she stopped being “good enough.” Countless arguments and anger have them wanting to move on to something with more sparks.
As they prepare for divorce, Caleb’s father challenges him to commit to a 40-day experiment: “The Love Dare.” Wondering if it’s even worth the effort, Caleb agrees, for his father’s sake more than for his marriage.
Surprised by what he discovers about the meaning of love, Caleb realizes that his wife and marriage are worth fighting for. His job is to rescue others. Now Captain Holt is ready to face his toughest job ever . . . rescuing his wife’s heart.”
You too can FIREPROOF YOUR MARRIAGE and take the FORTY DAY EXPERIMENT! If you would like to know more about integrating this study into your Small Group or if you know of a couple who is not connected to a Married Couple’s Small Group, please go to http://www.fireproofmymarriage.com to order your Small Group material or call me at the Small Group’s Ministry office. Call or email for more information on the Married Couple’s Small Groups that will be hosting this study. Groups will be starting as soon as October 23, 2008.
(702) 735-4004 ext. 8347 or tracey.smith@centralchristian.com
A Gift before Christmas: Fireproof Your Marriage
Fireproof was created to help build and strengthen marriages using biblical principles. Movie clips will be integrated into the discussion.Week One: He Said, She Said
Week Two: He First Loved Us
Week Three: Love for a Lifetime
Week Four: Breaking Free
Week Five: Forgiveness
Week Six: A Better Way of Loving
PUZZLED? New Series At Central
Ever feel puzzled by life-like things just don’t line up? Do you struggle with tough questions of faith? Questions like: “If God is so good, why is there so much suffering?” or “How can a loving God send people to hell?” This week Jud is kicking off a new series entitled “PUZZLED?” which will explore those challenging questions of faith. Check it out at one of Central’s campuses. For more information go to www.CentralChristian.com. Don’t forget, you can also join us at the on-line campus. Just click on this link www.centralonlinecampus.com .
Coming to Central this Weekend: Nick Vujicic
Nick Vujicic
Coming to Central
September 20 & 21
What if you were born with no arms and legs? Join us on September 20 & 21 with special guest Nick Vujicic (pronounce Vooey-cheech) – a man whose faith helped him to overcome the most difficult obstacles. Hear his story of how God took him from a life without limbs, to a life without limits. Here are a couple of ways that you can get your whole Small Group to be involved inviting others to this potentially life-changing event:
*Send out a reminder email and challenge your Small Group to bring at least one person with them to Central this weekend.
*Send an E-vite to a co-worker, family member, or neighbor.
*Make a phone call to someone who may be struggling with life issues.
*Invite your 1LIFE.
Don’t miss out! If you are not going to be in the Vegas area this weekend, check out our new online campus at www.centralchristian.com
Hot Topics: Conflict and Small Groups
As a child, I remember my parents taking us kids on a family vacation. There were four kids total in our family which made for some interesting road trips. Our family would load up in our ‘76 baby blue Malibu Chevrolet Station Wagon which had the rear reversible bench seat. After about a hundred “Are we there yet?” (that was just from my parents), no Nintendo DS or Game Boys, no seat belts, four screaming kids, and plenty of seats to jump over…I don’t see how my parents did it. For the first one and a half, all four of us kids would play together and seem to have a great time, but usually about two hours into the trip, the Mr. Nice Guy was over. Eventually we would end up fighting and in some territorial battle. Someone had crossed the line and now we would all four get involved in the fight. When we have relationships with other people, there will be times when someone crosses the line, steps on someone else’s toes, or simply doesn’t let them play with their toys. This will happen in a Small Group Environment also. Here are some things to remember about CONFLICT AND SMALL GROUPS:
· Realize Conflict is inevitable. Whenever there are two are more people gathered in His name, there will be conflict. Why? We are not perfect people. Conflict will happen no matter how spiritual the Small Group may be. So be prepared for conflict whenever it happens and don’t be surprised that it happened under your leadership.
· Recognize the true source of conflict. Almost all conflict stems from one source…PRIDE. Someone does not get their way and now it is time to dig in our heels and stand our ground. Is it your pride, or is it the pride of someone else. It is good to recognize that conflict will show up in many different forms but the true source will probably be someone’s pride getting in the way.
· Remember the goal is to restore the relationship. Here are the Biblical reminders for conflict resolution:
1. Handle the conflict. Do not just ignore it! In Matthew 18, Jesus explains how to handle conflict.
· Go to the person privately and one-on-one.
· If they do not listen to you the first time, then take someone else with you to try to restore the relationship.
· If the situation is not resolved then you will have to take it to your church leaders.
· If the relationship is still not resolved, then the relationship is restricted.
“If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense.
If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back.”
Matthew 18:15
2. Do a Motive Check. Are you speaking the Truth in love?
“Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander,
as well as all types of evil behavior.
Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another,
just as God through Christ has forgiven you.”
Ephesians 4:31-32
3. Observe the Golden Rule. Yes, your mother was correct when she told you this.
“Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you.”
Matthew 7:12
4. Extend grace to others. Give others the benefit of the doubt.
“Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you.
Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.”
Colossians 3:13
As I reflect back on the conflict that we had during our family road trips, I am reminded of a few things that may encourage you as your lead your Small Group through times of conflict.
· Conflict is not a sign of poor leadership skills. My parents were great parents!
· Even the best of Small Groups will experience conflict.
· There are great benefits whenever conflict is handled in the proper way.
What are some conflicts that you may have experienced within your Small Group and how did you handle it?
Don’t Do It Alone!
During our summer break, Hollye snapped this picture of our two children walking “hand in hand”. I have to say it is probably one of my favorite pictures. It reminded me that we are created for each other. I try to encourage our kids that God has given them to each other to do life together. As I put this into a Small Group Leadership perspective, I am reminded that Leadership is not to be done ALONE! So many leaders think that they can do it alone and they really (without knowing it) set themselves up for failure or burnout! Here are some ideas that can help protect you from burnout or failure and can enhance the joys of shared leadership:
1) Identify an apprentice. Find someone in the group that you can identify as a potential leader.
2) Recruit a communicator. This is a person who loves to communicate. They can write the weekly emails, call those that missed the meeting, send out reminders, or just make sure everyone is in the communication loop.
3) Have a CARE coordinator. Care is an extremely important part of your Small Group. A Care Coordinator would make sure care is provided during times of sickness, hospitalization, moving, death, family tragedy or anything where the group needs to be the hands of Christ to another individual in their group.
4) Enlist a Food coordinator. Do you have someone who says this week let’s do Mexican food or next week appetizers. This person loves to be hospitable. Allow them to use their creativity to create exciting theme nights. This allows for fun and creativity and allows another person to put their God-given gift to use.
5) You come up with one! Think outside of the box. Allow your group to help and to feel involved and needed. Many times people become disconnected from their Small Group because they do not have a sense of ownership. They sense that they are not important or valued. God has given us special talents and gifts that can help a leader to use within the small group environment and actually help the group grow in their relationship with God and with each other!
What are some ways that you are allowing people to share the leadership and allowing you to do the leadership journey with others?
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