Great Groups

In this episode, Chris and Jay discuss helping people take "next steps" in their spiritual growth. We want you to be mindful of moving people forward in the faith. Jay's Blog Post on Next Steps 1. Follow Christ and be baptized. 2. Read and study the Bible on a daily basis. 3. Pray consistently and strategically. 4. Become a member of the church. 5. Actively participate in a Small Gr...

In this episode, Chris and Jay discuss helping people take "next steps" in their spiritual growth. We want you to be mindful of moving people forward in the faith. Jay's Blog Post on Next Steps 1. Follow Christ and be baptized. 2. Read and study the Bible on a daily basis. 3. Pray consistently and strategically. 4. Become a member of the church. 5. Actively participate in a Small Gr...

In this episode, Jay and Chris cover some highlights of the 2Strong Focus Study, "What the Church Does." We'll do this each week of this four-week series at Brook Hills. This episode covers 1) Encouraging the Saints, 2) Responding to Sufferers, and 3) Fighting Sin. Send us Fan Mail Thanks for listening to the Great Groups Podcast. Please visit GreatGroups.org for a list of all our e...

In this episode, Jay and Chris cover some highlights of the 2Strong Focus Study, "What the Church Does." We'll do this each week of this four-week series at Brook Hills. Send us Fan Mail Thanks for listening to the Great Groups Podcast. Please visit GreatGroups.org for a list of all our episodes. We'd love to hear from you! Click here for our contact form .  Jay Gordon is the S...

In this episode, Jay and Chris cover some highlights of the 2Strong Focus Study, "What the Church Does." We'll do this each week of this four-week series at Brook Hills. Send us Fan Mail Thanks for listening to the Great Groups Podcast. Please visit GreatGroups.org for a list of all our episodes. We'd love to hear from you! Click here for our contact form .  Jay Gordon is the S...

In this episode, we continue discussing content from the book "Leading Small Groups" by Chris Surratt. We're scheduling various small group leaders to read a chapter and discuss it with us. This week Dale and Chris continue to talk with Jay and Chris about Chapter 2, Creating Biblical Community. If you'd like a copy, here's the link from Amazon for Leading Small Groups . S...

In this episode, Jay and Chris cover some highlights of the 2Strong Focus Study, "What the Church Does." We'll do this each week of this four-week series at Brook Hills. Send us Fan Mail Thanks for listening to the Great Groups Podcast. Please visit GreatGroups.org for a list of all our episodes. We'd love to hear from you! Click here for our contact form .  Jay Gordon is the S...

In this episode, Jay and Chris chat with Chris Robbins and Dale Kendrick. We'll get to know them a little better and find out what makes their group tick. Send us Fan Mail Thanks for listening to the Great Groups Podcast. Please visit GreatGroups.org for a list of all our episodes. We'd love to hear from you! Click here for our contact form .  Jay Gordon is the Small Groups Minister at T...

On this episode, Jay and Chris enjoy a conversation with Dave Halperin, leader of a multi-gen, off-campus Small Group. We get to know Dave and then ask the typical questions about what's going well and what's not. Our conversation led Navy pilot talk, and also group multiplication, breakout groups, and handling prayer in groups. Send us Fan Mail Thanks for listening to the Great Groups P...

In this episode, we start something brand new--reviewing the book "Leading Small Groups" by Chris Surratt. We're scheduling various small group leaders to read a chapter and discuss it with us. This week includes the book introduction and Chapter 1: "What is a Small Group Leader." It's a very encouraging start with good news for every leader. We meet with Todd Norton...

On this episode, Jay and Chris enjoy a conversation with Todd Norton, leader of an off-campus Small Group. We get to know Todd and then ask the typical questions about what's going well and what's not. Our conversation led to various facets of group life and how Todd accomplishes those. Send us Fan Mail Thanks for listening to the Great Groups Podcast. Please visit GreatGroups.org for a...

Tonight, Jay & Chris talk to Bill & Carol Brown about ministry to group members facing illness themselves or death in their family. We cover meals, visits, travel expectations for funerals, and do's and don'ts. Send us Fan Mail Thanks for listening to the Great Groups Podcast. Please visit GreatGroups.org for a list of all our episodes. We'd love to hear from you! Click here...

In this episode, Zac Condie is back to discuss Elder shepherding with Jay & Chris. They review the Shepherding Best Practices found at brookhills.org/elderwork and share some practical tips and stories. Zac is now Jay's Elder after Jay rotated off the Elder Council at Brook Hills.  Send us Fan Mail Thanks for listening to the Great Groups Podcast. Please visit GreatGroups.org for a list o...

On this episode, Jay and Chris enjoy a conversation with Zac Condie, leader of an off-campus BH Small Group and also one of our Elders. We ask the typical questions about what's going well and what's not. Our conversation led to curriculum, childcare, men's and women's breakout groups, and more. Send us Fan Mail Thanks for listening to the Great Groups Podcast. Please visit Gre...

On this episode, Jay and Chris enjoy a conversation with our good friend, Jeff Kunard, one of our Elders at Brook Hills.  Jeff is an experienced Small Group leader and has recently started a new group.  Hear his spiritual story and a conversation about transparency, testimonies, and community.  Send us Fan Mail Thanks for listening to the Great Groups Podcast. Please visit GreatGroups.org for a li...

Today, Jay and Chris talk about Slovenia and also discuss how to share differing length versions of your faith story. For much of the podcast, Jay shares his story and his "active testimony". Listen to learn what that's all about.  Send us Fan Mail Thanks for listening to the Great Groups Podcast. Please visit GreatGroups.org for a list of all our episodes. We'd love to hear fr...

Today, we’re talking about how to keep your group healthy enough to survive. You’ll hear some about the importance of critical mass and changes that inevitably come to your group. Send us Fan Mail Thanks for listening to the Great Groups Podcast. Please visit GreatGroups.org for a list of all our episodes. We'd love to hear from you! Click here for our contact form .  Jay Gordon is the Small...

In this episode, Jay and Chris talk about a few random items from the previous day's Small Group Leader Gathering at Brook Hills. The discussion leads to how we can accomplish those things in groups.  Send us Fan Mail Thanks for listening to the Great Groups Podcast. Please visit GreatGroups.org for a list of all our episodes. We'd love to hear from you! Click here for our contact form ....

Today, Jay and  Chris talk about launching the new year strong. You’ll hear tips and reminders about important things to do as your group starts the year.  Send us Fan Mail Thanks for listening to the Great Groups Podcast. Please visit GreatGroups.org for a list of all our episodes. We'd love to hear from you! Click here for our contact form .  Jay Gordon is the Small Groups Minister at The C...

In this episode, Jay and Chris explore the terms open and closed groups and why our church has chosen a different vernacular, listed and unlisted groups. There are more factors than meet the eye, and we talk about how important it is to keep your group open at all times, even when it may be unlisted "for a good reason and for only a season." (Episode: 60) Send us Fan Mail Thanks for list...

In this episode, Jay and Chris review a document Jay created to guide groups in having great conversations. It is a document for group members that you may want to review with them once a year.  There are tips that encourage some members to speak less and some to speak more, and other tips on listening and avoiding rabbit trails. (Episode 59) Copy: http://www.brookhills.org/files/uploads/SmallGrou...

In this episode, Jay and Chris review a document Jay created to guide groups in having great conversations. It is a document for group members that you may want to review with them once a year.  There are tips that encourage some members to speak less and some to speak more, and other tips on listening and avoiding rabbit trails. (Episode 58) See the document: http://www.brookhills.org/files/uploa...

In this episode, Jay reviews some recent Leader Tips--a paragraph-length tip that is included in the Small Group News each week. After covering an unrecorded gem from Elisabeth Chramer and celebrating 5,000 downloads, Jay and Chris discuss evaluating overall progress in disciple-making and involving your group in hospitality. (Episode 57) Send us Fan Mail Thanks for listening to the Great Groups P...

In this episode, Jay and Chris chat with Elisabeth Chramer who leads a Small Group for Young Women. She shares how they recently asked what questions group member wanted to ask, talked about having a staff member visit the group, and discusses "tiny groups", their term for break-out groups. (Episode 56) Send us Fan Mail Thanks for listening to the Great Groups Podcast. Please visit Great...

In this episode, Jay and Chris continue the conversation about welcoming people into your group with Andy Noel. Andy has lots of ministry experience but is currently in Jay's group. You'll hear some "fails" they've experienced as well as some ways to have an action plan for guests.  Send us Fan Mail Thanks for listening to the Great Groups Podcast. Please visit GreatGroups...