Is Small Group for Me or Them?

Small groups are different in every church. Everyone seems to have their own explanation of how they should be run. Everyone has their own definition for community groups, small groups, life groups, connection groups and yes, sunday school! Does group mentality and motive matter in order to build a healthy small group? I think so. The question that many ask is, "what is in it for me?" instead of, "who can I encourage, love and support in my small group?" The cultural norm is to look at activities, events and groups we get involved in with selfish attitudes. We all have struggles, pain, opinions, attitudes and life experiences. When you combine all of these in one group, it will be far from perfect. Small groups are messy. The question then becomes, Is this small group for me or for others?

Small group ministry is one of the most powerful aspects of the church. It is a priority to have a small group that builds community and love.  A group that is healthy will consistently reiterate the purpose of the group in order to stay focused on reaching the lost and well as growing disciples. Many times we use the term, "doing life together." Doing life together means we spur each other onto spiritual maturity. Doing life together does not mean it becomes all about our own preferences and desires. And by the way, spiritual maturity is about setting an example.

Spiritual maturity is...

• Loving those who do not show it in return. "But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere." James 3:17.
• Applying Matthew 18 and talking to those which you have a problem with and stop talking about them.
• Overlooking other people's mistakes because of their own mistakes. "Sensible people control their temper; they earn respect by overlooking wrongs." Proverbs 19:11.
• Praying for those who do not know Christ.
• Caring for the interests of others and not your own.Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.
• Agenda of grace and not a personal agenda of preferences.

Is small group just about a "closed group" mentality where it is all about ourselves or is there more to it? I sure hope so. Living "inwardly" basically tells a broken world that we are too busy to share the life changing message of the gospel with them.

Evangelism and discipleship are not divorced from each other. A healthy small group will be actively reaching and inviting lost people. Why? Because a disciple makes disciples (Matthew 28:19-20). Many struggle with this because it goes against the grain of what is most comfortable. Small groups that have an inward encouragement to one another and an outward love for those who need Jesus are the healthiest.

I'd like to hear your thoughts on small group mentality? Is it just for the group or a little of both evangelism and discipleship? 

Blogs I Follow

Blogging has given so many people a voice. I have learned a lot from reading blogs on a weekly basis. It gives us that ability to continue the conversation from all over the map! I thought I'd highlight some of the blogs that I read on a regular basis through email subscription or google reader. Friends' Blogs (people I know personally, not just over the internet)

• Cassidy Robinson - THE #1 blog of all time! (I am a little biased)
• Jeff Robinson - My older brother who is a pastor in Virginia. He is a great brother and friend.
• Justin Robinson - JROB Productions. Justin is more into directing/filming. Check out his youtube channel! 
• Courtney Edwards - My sister-in-"love." She is a great writer and good sister!
• Tod Tanner - Dr. Tanner has invested many hours into my life beginning in college. He is a great leader, friend and mentor.
• Boyd Bettis - Boyd is a friend from college who has a heart to serve God.
• Ben Wiggins - We graduated college together. Ben has a great heart to serve God.
• Tim Flowers - We serve on staff together and he is a great leader and friend (p.s. he needs to blog more!)
• Matthew Creath - We worked Centrifuge camp together and since have stayed connected!
• Michelle Emmering: A friend who is serving in Hungary for 2 years!

Ministry Blogs:

• Terrace Crawford - Terrace is a great blogger. I enjoy reading his thoughts on tech, ministry and leadership.
• Tim Schmoyer - Tim has been a help to me in using technology as a tool to communicate better and more effectively in student ministry.
• Clayton King - Clayton is one of my favorite speakers and has written some great books (besides blogging). I enjoy his humor, honesty and love for sharing the truth of Jesus.
• Ron Edmondson - Ron is an expert on using social networking and blogging as a tool for the kingdom of God. He has great thoughts on leadership and ministry.
• Doug Fields - Youth ministry veteran, writer and now blogger! Doug has been a great voice in ministry for many years.
• Matt McGill - Matt brings great insights into ministry and leadership and has a great sense of humor.
• Jonathan McKee - Jonathan is an expert on answering culture with God's Word.
• Michael Hyatt - He is a great author and writer. I have learned some great tips on writing and leadership from reading his blog.
• Doug Franklin - Great thoughts on leadership in student ministry.
• Joshua Griffin - Joshua has great insights, tips and helps for those in student ministry. He does a great job using technology in ministry.
• Greg Stier - Greg is an excellent writer and even better example for sharing the gospel. I'm thankful for his passion for the gospel.
• Alvin Reid - Dr. Reid has encouraged me a lot over the last few months. He has written many great books and his blog is filled with many gems of wisdom and honesty for life in ministry. He replies to emails too!
• Paul Turner - I enjoy following his student ministry with Lifeway and following him on twitter.
• YouthMin.Org - New blog I recently started to follow. They have offered great insight into technology, student ministry and leadership. It is a good read!
• Tim Stevens - I have read this blog a few times. He has a great blog layout and great leadership content.
• Ben Read - Great blog on intentional student ministry.

I do want to say that there are many more blogs I haven't discovered  yet. One thing is true, we need more people to add to the leadership and ministry conversation. A lot of big name people get most of the attention, but blogging provides a way for all of us to share into the conversation!

If your blog is not listed, I'd like to know so I can follow you! What blogs do you follow? 

Books I'm Reading

Reading. If you ask most people, reading is not on their priority list. Why? Because it takes a conscious effort to focus. We live in a distracted culture. I did not start out as an avid bookworm but over time I realize there is so much to learn and so little time! Outside of my time reading God's Word, I enjoy reading books on leadership, ministry, sports and spiritual growth. Now that I'm done with seminary, it is easy to become lazy and stop challenging myself to grow. My goal is to read one book at least per month.

"Ten years from now you will be the same person you are today, except for the places you go, the people you meet, and the books you read – Jay Strack, Student Leadership University

1.Come Thirsty by Max Lucado. (I am almost done with this book. Max Lucado is an encouraging writer that creatively expounds on God's Word. I would encourage you to read it!)

2. Jesus + Nothing = Everything by Tullian Tchividjian (I just started reading this book. My brother gave it to me for Christmas. I'm already challenged to understand that adding to the gospel is dangerous because it replaces truth with moralism. I'd encourage you to read this one!)

3. Tim Tebow: Through My Eyes (I'm almost done with the book. It is a great personal look at Tim's life and his dedication to God. I'm a Tebow fan (but a Seminole fan at heart!) and I'm thankful that he stands for the gospel despite all of the haters out there. It is a great inspirational book).

4. Dying to Live by Clayton King (I just purchased this book and am looking forward to reading it soon! Clayton is one of the leaders I look up to in my life. I'm grateful for his desire to be real and unashamedly preach the gospel).

5. God and Football by Chad Gibbs (My friend John let me borrow this book and I look forward to reading it).

6. The Hole in Our Gospel (I bought this book at Orange conference and have not read it yet. I know already it will challenge my understanding of revealing the gospel into a lost and broken world).

7. Quitter by Jon Acuff (It is on my "want" list. Dr. Reid told me this book is a must-read so I look forward to buying it soon!)

8. Rescuing Ambition by Dave Harvey (It is on my "want" list. Dr. Reid also endorsed this book as a must-read).

I'm still working on 9 and 10. Do you have any books to add? What are you reading? I'd like to know!

(p.s. I'm in the process of coming up with an outline for my first book or devotional...I'd appreciate any feedback on this endeavor).