I've been given a wonderful opportunity to participate in Lifeway's Small Group Summit, which is a free online event on February 18, 2010.
I'm notifying you about this event for two important reasons:
1. It's free and hey, in this lousy recession any free small group training you can get is worth the time and energy! Sign up!
2. I need your prayer support. I have been given a huge audience in which to share the truth about small group ministry (you know, that the small group IS church, not a supportive program, that discipleship is missing in the American small group movement, and so forth). I want to share this message in a powerful, godly, and gentle way to all who will listen.
3. I've been billed as the "cell group" guy on the panel. Truthfully, I feel as if I am the post-cell group guy... this isn't about cell groups to tell you the truth. It's about being the church, not attending it on Sunday. The whole room will agree with me in theory but not practice.
Here's the press release for the event. I will be sitting along side some larger-than-life leaders...
History seldom looks over her shoulder and realizes that a grand opportunity was missed. But we do. Some of the leaders in the small group world are making sure we don’t.
What the small group movement is in the year 2010 is due to some of her heroes, heroes that are still with us and are still influencing her. There are others who picked up the ball twenty or so years ago and have been and sharing the weight of it on behalf of and alongside those heroes. And there are others whose creativity, leadership abilities, and passion are about to direct the way into a whole new approach of doing groups. It only seems right that all of them get together in one place and that they allow the rest of us to join the conversation.
On February 18th, 2010, from 10:30 CST 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 here.
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