In today’s church, having small groups isn’t a new phenomenon. Over the past couple of decades, many of us have seen how small groups can provide an avenue for people to grow closer to God and to stay connected with each other. Having other people who know you, keep you accountable, and support you is such a blessing.
In this episode, we’re thrilled to talk to Allen White about the role that small groups can play in our churches. Allen has spent over 30 years in ministry and has dedicated countless hours to uncovering what works (and what doesn’t) for small groups and leaders. He provides a wealth of knowledge about creating effective and successful group efforts.
Are you interested in starting a small group at your church? Do you have small groups but want help building them or identifying leaders to help own the cause? Listen in and see what Allen has to say!
Links to Resources Mentioned or Related
- Allen White’s Website
- 95Network Coaching
- Use code PODCAST to get 10% off anything in our store!
- Read Stalled: Hope and Help for Pastors Who Thought They’d Be There By Now
- Watch Podcast on YouTube
Key Takeaways
1) Pastors sometimes think they’re the only ones who can do it. Whether it’s unhealthy codependency on the church or simply not knowing where to start, pastors can be reluctant to release responsibility to other people. If you’re going to avoid burnout, it’s imperative to delegate leadership tasks and allow other people to own the cause, too.
2) The key to a successful small group is having good leaders. When you’re searching for potential leaders, ask yourself:
- Who has good character?
- Who is teachable?
- Who is warm-hearted and available?
Knowledge doesn’t matter as much—we’re not looking for perfect people!
3) In Acts, it took persecution to motivate the church to move past Jerusalem. While our circumstances are different than the disciples’, it’s still very apparent that the modern-day church needs change. Many people who are unwilling to or can’t come to church in person right now might be open to attending a smaller gathering (like a community group) or watching church online.
4) Now’s the time to gather your courage and try something new! We’ve all lost congregation members during the pandemic. While this is challenging, it can also be a gift and an opportunity! The church members who are left now are with you—they’re invested. So, lead the church you have, not the church you lost. Raise up new leaders and be brave enough to try something new
Subscribe (and Leave a Review!)
Be sure to subscribe to The 95 Podcast on whatever platform you prefer! You can also keep up with the latest podcasts, articles, and resources by using the form below:
Your rating also helps more pastors of small and mid-size churches find this resource, especially on Apple Podcasts. Would you take a moment to share your thoughts? Just open the podcast on Apple Podcasts on your phone or computer and share your thoughts. We really appreciate it!
Support the Podcast
The 95 Podcast is a ministry of 95Network. As a nonprofit, we rely on the support of those who believe in our mission to resource small and mid-size churches and support pastors. If you have been impacted by this podcast or our ministry, would you consider supporting us?
Share Your Thoughts on Social Media
Let’s keep the conversation going! We use #smallchurches on Twitter, and you can keep up with the latest by following us on Twitter (@95Network), Facebook, or Instagram.
 – Episode 123){kind=link}
 – Episode 123&description=&image=https://www.95network.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Allen-White-1.png){kind=link}