Steve Gladen > Quotes

“Vision without implementation equals hallucination.”
― Steve Gladen, Planning Small Groups with Purpose: A Field-Tested Guide to Design and Grow Your Ministry

“Be comfortable with silence. Fifteen seconds of silence in group life can seem like an eternity—especially when you are the leader. But realize that when you have silence, the Holy Spirit is working on people. When you interrupt the silence, you interrupt the Holy Spirit. Be willing to sit in silence as people process the information that is being shared. We are so programmed for business that silence can seem wrong, when in fact,”
― Steve Gladen, Leading Small Groups with Purpose: Everything You Need to Lead a Healthy Group

“Fellowship: “They joined in the fellowship . . . and ate together with glad and sincere hearts.” That’s important in the body of Christ—recognizing that I am a part of God’s family and we are going to fellowship together. When you look at the New Testament, this is exactly what Christ did. He gathered a group of twelve guys and hung out with them. They ate together, learned together, and shared in each other’s lives.”
― Steve Gladen, Leading Small Groups with Purpose: Everything You Need to Lead a Healthy Group

“The Bible tells us that suffering is the product of a broken and fallen world. But as believers, we are blessed to have a unique perspective. Romans 12 provides some insight into how we should be dealing with suffering. In Romans 12:12, we read, “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Romans 12:15 tells us, “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.”
― Steve Gladen, Leading Small Groups with Purpose: Everything You Need to Lead a Healthy Group

“The Bible tells us that the small groups in New Testament times pursued the biblical purposes of fellowship, discipleship, ministry, evangelism, and worship.”
― Steve Gladen, Leading Small Groups with Purpose: Everything You Need to Lead a Healthy Group

“Your role as a small group leader is not one of a teacher or sage: “I am up here and you are down there.” Teaching is often too passive and misses the power of the relational connection. Small group leaders need to involve themselves in the lives of other people just as Christ did. Leaders also need to allow group members to be involved in their life.”
― Steve Gladen, Leading Small Groups with Purpose: Everything You Need to Lead a Healthy Group

“Satan doesn’t want you applying the principles in this book. He will do all he can to make you feel insecure and fearful, not wanting your group to continue. Why? Because he doesn’t want the Great Commission and Great Commandment happening. He doesn’t want you developing your leadership gifts. He wants you ineffective. He will use all he can to keep you from being focused and purposeful.”
― Steve Gladen, Leading Small Groups with Purpose: Everything You Need to Lead a Healthy Group