SG² Steve Gladen on Small Groups

Bill Donahue on Leading Life-Changing Small Groups (Plus Signed Book Giveaway) Recorded at the Lobby Gathering, Pastor Steve Gladen interviews Dr. Bill Donahue about his updated book, How to Lead Life-Changing Small Groups, and offers a giveaway of six signed copies to the first, third, fifth, seventh, ninth, and 11th people who email steve@smallgroupnetwork.com with an address. Donahue shares per...

1. Groups that primarily Disciple • Primary engagement is spiritual growth • What their felt need is, Spiritual Void. • Team responsible—Spiritual Formation Team 2. Groups that primarily Connect • Primary engagement is Serving. • What their felt need is, Value. • Team responsible—First Impressions or Serving Teams 3. Groups that primarily Send • Primary engagement is causation. • What the felt nee...

To see the diagram from today's episode, download it HERE .  10 Building Blocks to Engineer a Dynamic Small Group Ministry Steve Gladen and Derek discuss a summer “diagnostic check” for small group ministries by reviewing 10 building blocks to keep groups healthy, scalable, and disciple-making heading into fall. They emphasize first defining what success is for small group leaders, then aligning m...

People Over Programs: One-to-One Leadership That Keeps Small Groups Relational Pastor Steve Gladen and Derek Olson discuss how small group ministry can drift from being people-focused to program-focused, and argue the most important question is how to keep relationships central. Steve emphasizes the power of one-to-one connection and offers practical ways to reach people beyond email, including te...

The Real Question Small Group Leaders Should Be Asking: What Kind of Disciple Are You Producing? Join all access at the Small Group Network   In this episode of SG Squared, Pastor Steve Gladen and Derek discuss how small group point people can get distracted by urgent tasks and connection metrics while missing the most important question: what kind of disciple the church is trying to produce. Stev...

Subscribe and Connect with the Small Group Network Thank you for tuning in! Don't forget to subscribe to our podcast on your favorite platform. For more resources and to join the small group community, visit smallgroupnetwork.com.  THE MENDOZA STORY 130 schools said no. He led the losingest program in college football history to a national championship anyway. Fernando Mendoza was a 2-star recruit...

5 Small Group Strategies for 2026 Welcome to SG Squared with Pastor Steve Gladen, who brings over 25 years of small group ministry experience to provide practical advice and encouragement for leading small groups. In this episode, despite battling the flu, Steve and Derek discuss the importance of leading with purpose, building trust, developing people, celebrating wins, and clarifying roles and n...

Steve Gladen, Global Small Groups Pastor at Saddleback Church, pulls from his 20+ years of small group ministry experience to encourage and equip listeners to lead healthier, growing and more effective small group ministries. In this episode, Steve & co-host Derek talk about Evangelism Made Easy for Small Groups. The 6 Fs ★ Support this podcast ★

Join Pastor Steve Gladen and Derek as they discuss five essential ways to lead effectively in small group ministry, drawing from Steve's 25+ years of experience. They share practical tips on leading with purpose, building trust, developing your people, celebrating wins, and clarifying roles and next steps. Despite battling colds, Steve and Derek share their insights to help small group pastors nav...

10 Practical Steps for Handling Upset Individuals in Small Group Ministry In this episode of SG Squared, Pastor Steve Gladen, with over 25 years of small group ministry experience, and his co-host Derek discuss valuable advice on managing upset individuals within small group ministry. The conversation includes light-hearted pre-show banter about their college football teams, but focuses deeply on...

SGN Update #3 & 10 Things That Could Be A Part Of Your Group Guidelines Join hosts Steve Gladen and Derek Olson for a lively and insightful episode packed with updates from the Small Group Network and a practical deep dive into crafting effective small group guidelines. Steve shares the latest on SGN’s mission, new initiatives, and the ongoing effort to end loneliness among pastors and church...

Five Essential Tips for Setting Up Strong Small Groups This Fall with Steve Gladen In this engaging episode of SG Squared, Derek hosts Steve Gladen, a seasoned small group ministry leader with over 25 years of experience, to share five essential tips for setting up strong small groups this fall. Steve makes two major announcements, discussing his departure from Saddleback Church and future plans t...

The Next Chapter for Small Group Network: A Vision of Connection and Impact Learn more at https://smallgroupnetwork.com In this special edition of SG Squared, Steve Gladen passionately shares his personal journey and the transformative power of small groups, beginning with his family's conversion story. Following his departure from Saddleback Church, Steve announces his full-time commitment to the...

7 Ways to Encourage and Empower Small Group Leaders This Summer In this exciting episode of SG Squared, Steve Gladen, the global pastor of small groups at Saddleback Church, along with co-host Derek, discuss seven practical and creative ways to encourage and build into small group leaders during the summer. From handwritten cards and spontaneous drop-bys to fun ideas like hosting a pool party or t...

Enhancing Small Group Ministry: Insights from the Lobby Gathering In this episode of SG Squared, Steve Gladden and James Browning discuss the annual Lobby Gathering event in Southern California, which brings together small group pastors from around the world. The conversation highlights the inception of the Lobby Gathering, emphasizing the importance of practical networking over traditional confer...

3 mistakes to avoid with your Lead or Supervising Pastor Mistake #1: Wrong assumptions In the middle of a difficult moment with leadership relationships, it is very easy to assume the worst about them. A Christian counselor friend once said, “ When we assume the motives of someone else we are wrong most of the time.” I have learned this is very true. We often forget is what it’s like to be in thei...

Spring Cleaning for Small Group Ministry: The 5 Ks with Steve Gladen In this episode of FG Squared, Steve Gladen, the global pastor of small groups from Saddleback Church, shares insights from his 25+ years of experience to help listeners enhance their small group ministries. Joined by Derek, Steve discusses 'The 4 Ks of Small Group Ministry Spring Cleaning': Kinship with leaders, Keeping clean da...

Equipping Small Group Leaders: Insights from Saddleback Church In this episode of SG Squared, Steve Gladen, the global pastor of small groups at Saddleback Church, shares his extensive experience to encourage and equip small group leaders. The episode includes the 'Saddleback Scoop,' highlighting the church's shift from fruitfulness to faithfulness, an approach to combat COVID-induced depletion by...

This episode is a very special cross post from the Group Answers podcast. We are sharing in honor of the passing of Chris Surratt, a friend and brother in Christ who has impacted thousands of small group point people around the world. Thanks for taking the time to listen, and don't forget to check out Group Answers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts. Original Description: On this episode of G...

Steve Gladen, Small Groups Pastor at Saddleback Church, pulls from his 25 plus years of small group ministry experience to encourage and equip listeners to lead healthier, growing and more effective small groups and small group ministries. In this episode, Steve shares the four key steps that you will want to follow for a successful and strategic 2025 in regards to your small group ministry.  You...

Steve Gladen, Small Groups Pastor at Saddleback Church, pulls from his 25 plus years of small group ministry experience to encourage and equip listeners to lead healthier, growing and more effective small groups and small group ministries. In this episode, Steve and co-host Derek sit down to continue reading and answering the top small group mail bag questions sent in by small group point people a...

Steve Gladen, Small Groups Pastor at Saddleback Church, pulls from his 25 plus years of small group ministry experience to encourage and equip listeners to lead healthier, growing and more effective small groups and small group ministries. In this episode, Steve and co-host Derek sit down to continue reading and answering the top small group mail bag questions sent in by small group point people a...

Steve Gladen, Small Groups Pastor at Saddleback Church, pulls from his 25 plus years of small group ministry experience to encourage and equip listeners to lead healthier, growing and more effective small groups and small group ministries. In this episode, Steve and co-host Derek sit down to read and answer the top small group mail bag questions sent in by small group point people and ministry lea...

Steve Gladen, Global Small Groups Pastor at Saddleback Church, pulls from his 20+ years of small group ministry experience to encourage and equip listeners to lead healthier, growing and more effective small group ministries. In this episode, Steve & co-host Deek talk about 20 ways that you can honor and celebrate the leaders in your ministry this groups season. This is a rebroadcast episode ★...

Would you like to know about ten unique ways that your small group can evangelize together? Steve Gladen, Small Groups Pastor at Saddleback Church, pulls from his 25 plus years of small group ministry experience to encourage and equip listeners to lead healthier, growing and more effective small groups and small group ministries. In this episode, Steve and Dereksit down with special guest Kiersten...